Award-winning hair expert Nikki Bacay shared that he didn't expect that he will succeed with his salon in the beginning.
"At first, hindi ko pinlano lahat," he said on "My Puhunan." "Parang, lahat dumarating lang and then lahat ng opportunity, ginrab ko lang talaga."
Bacay shared that his career in hairdressing began when he started helping out as an apprentice in a salon in Olongapo.
"That time hindi pa [ako hasa] kasi kung baga, parang kinuha lang niya 'ko, apprentice lang talaga."
This is when he realized that he was enjoying his job, and was gaining favor of customers in that salon.
It was when a client opened the idea of working in a high-end salon that pushed him to explore more opportunities in Manila.
"Sabi niya sa kin, 'Gusto mo magtrabaho sa high-end salon, kasi parang hindi ka naman mag-grow dito," he said. "So, sumama ako."
After a year of working under a new boss, Bacay was offered to attend training seminars in another country.
From there, continuous positive developments came his way: Bacay won a hairdressing competition, he was able to put up his own salon, and later gained high-profile clients as a result.
"After a year, nakitaan din ako ng boss ko na may potential... sobrang tuwang-tuwa ako."
"Eto pala, ang sarap pala ng ganitong buhay," he added.
Tips for aspiring salon owners
Bacay currently owns a 13-seater station salon with three hairdressers working under his wing.
He gave two important tips for those interested to put up and succeeded in having their own salon businesses.
First, Bacay said that it's important to study the lifestyle and shape of the face of the client.
This is to determine which hairstyle would fit the customer best.
"Hindi naman kailangan is 'yung basta igugupit mo lang yung buhok," he said.
"Una muna you have to check the lifestyle of the customer, at the same time, [is yung] shape of the face."
Second, he said the quality, alongside giving enough time for the service, are key to having returning clients.
"You have to give the client [time] para maging masaya sila," Bacay shared.
He added that the customers are also one of the prime considerations in putting up a salon.
Giving good service to clients goes hand-in-hand in doing good business.
"Kasi 'yung kliyente ko, since nandoon ako sa malaking kumpanyang salon na pinanggalingan ko, until now kasama ko pa rin sila dito ngayon."
"Sila rin 'yung nakatulong sa pagiging [successful] ko sa buhay," Bacay said.
source: www.abs-cbnnews.com
