jmellmer

I follow with a little humor the Steve-bashing on this site. One of the characteristics of a small business owner is that he or she is strong headed, independant, does not like authority and does not like to be told what to do. Expert advice is rejected out of hand.

Steve is not trying to sell on this site--he’s giving information. He is one of the smartest contributors on the site--I can say this because when I began in the business and for several years, I read every post in every section from the site’s inception searching for information. Information is power, and is the only thing that separates the small salon owner from the very large ones. Personally, I have a sense of gratitude towards anyone that knows more than I do and is willing to share that information. But, hey, I guess “f**k you” can also be a way of showing gratitude.

For those of you considering using a consultant, the decision comes down to the question, “Can he or she make you money?” Steve makes me money--let me explain a bit of what he does for me:

I have been in the business for 12 years and have 7 stores. Steve has worked with me for 5 years. At this stage in our development, Steve handles the following:

• All pricing structure
• Overall marketing strategy
• Marketing tactics (specials and advertising)
• New site selection
• Store evaluation and negotiation for purchasing existing businesses
• All lease negotiations

Previously--and important for newer owners--Steve handled and continues to advise on:

• Management structure and payscale
• Employee training including employee manual creation

Does Steve have some rough edges or make mistakes? I would never work with anyone who didn’t, because it would mean that they aren’t fully in the game. Steve is fully in the game, and he’s playing on my side. He knows his stuff, stays on top of the direction of the business, continually reviews the competition, and adjusts his advice and strategies to the changing market.

I don’t follow the boards regularly anymore, but I am happy to chat with anyone seriously considering working with a consultant; contact Steve and he can provide you with my email address and phone number.

Joe Mellmer

tanu01

Hmmmmmmmmmmmm........... Your either well paid or brainwashed.

I have been in this atleast 3x longer than you claim to be, And I'm telling you alot of the stuff that Steve post on here nolonger works in todays climate.
A lot of stuff he posts is ust common sence that any have way bright biz person should not have to be told.

Steve Underhill

it's nice to read a post from someone that actually knows me. Even though tanu01 suggest that you are not real or being paid for your comments, thank you Joe. What do you mean rough around the edges? LOL

A little back ground on Joe, when we started working together he only had 3 salons none of which did he open new. They were all failing salons he purchased. Of the 7 salons he now owns only 1 was opened new. The rest were failing salons he purchased and restructured. He is now the most successful chain in his aggressive market.

Funny, in a market that is doomed to self destruct, Joe is a success story just by staying ahead of the changing market and consumer. His insight to work with his eyes open and willingness to make changes has allowed him to grow, and he will continue to grow. I am fortunate to be a part of that. By the way Joe is an independent operator that grew his business with hard work and dedication.

Thank you again Joe for your post. I am only sorry now that you will be subject to attacks because you are so obviously not who you say you are. By the way I was happy to hear that the special I suggested to you last week is generating such a great response.

tanu01 I see you have been in the industry for 36 years. Very commendable to have stuck with this fun industry for that length of time. To bad it has made you so bitter.

On another note Joe is having great success right now during a typically slow month by communicating with and marketing his data base. I know many of you feel trying to generate business this time of year is a waste of time but it is the smartest thing you can do.

Don't wait until 2015 to try and impact your business, marketing your salon should be done 365 days a year.

__________________
Stephen Underhill
Consultant
steve@smuconsulting.com

tanu01

Joe, While your here............. Take time to read some of Steve's posts. Its all the same over and over. And they all SCREAM see how great I am.

Back in the older days, Which he CLAIMS to be a part of, We use to actually converse with other members, discuss how, whys and why nots. Those discussions actually taught members stuff.
Steve does not do that nor does he try to.

tanu01

STEVE YOU DONT EVEN READ BEFORE YOU REPLY !!!

tanu01

BRONZE never typed a word in this thread....................

Steve Underhill

Sorry to Bronze1 my mistake. You and Bronze1 are both coming out against someone that is a consultant giving advice so I made a mistake, I redirect my post to you. Yes it would be a very good idea to go back and read my post. Every post involves good advice, answering a specific question or encouraging people to not be so negative because they can control their own success or failure instead of blaming it on the industry.

You are right that some of my post are general because I am addressing all salon owners, others are specific to address a specific salon or question. I wish you could actually speak to salon owners personally as I do. I think you would be surprised at how little so many salon owners know that you believe is common knowledge. Salon owners are making mistakes on such basic levels and yet you assume that there is a certain level of knowledge that is known by all.

Just because you have a certain level of knowledge does not suggest that others have that same level of knowledge.

You are discounting the level of help many salon owners need.

tanu01 things as simple as operating a salon without software and still using file cards is common. Not understanding the importance of using social media or email for marketing. So when you think some of what I say is general, it actually resonates with many salon owner.

I commend you for being so smart that nothing I say can help you. Obviously if others were as smart as you the industry on a salon level would not be struggling.

When operators ask what many feel are stupid questions they get jumped for their lack of knowledge. With that having been said the most simple advice is needed before you can address the more complicated issues.

I can only ask that you and anyone else that feels there is no value to my post should not read them.

__________________
Stephen Underhill
Consultant
steve@smuconsulting.com

tanu01

You just dont get it..... do ya Steve ? Wether a beginnger or a veteran, People DONT want preached at and thats all you do. You dont even try to have a civil discussion.
I'm begining to wonder if all your reponses arent out of a ledger.
Its hard to ignore your posts because you post pages of nothing everyday.
I would think that a good consultan would know that to sovle a problem you have to listen first.

YOU DONT...........NOR DO YOU DISCUSS ....... YOU JUST PREACH

STOP IT............ This is a discussion board.
If I was still a mod on this site, You would join Gary from Grip Marketing and sell furniture.

Steve Underhill

What is it that you are reading, quite frankly I don't have a clue to what you are complaining about. I give advice and your bashing. For this site to thrive it is important that people make post and attempt to stimulate interaction. While I can't come here as often as I would like, I make an effort to contribute and start threads. You're criticizing an active member of this site is not good for the site. Again I have to ask who are you and what did I ever do to you. You appear to be a bitter old man hiding behind a computer screen. Give it a rest, I am not going to stop contributing to this site because a salon owner if you really are a salon owner does not understand good advice when he reads it. This is the last time I will respond to your ranting.

__________________
Stephen Underhill
Consultant
steve@smuconsulting.com

tanu01

Well Steve I have to admit you have shocked me...... Never expected name calling.

Maby you should put an ice pack on your head and calmly reread what has been posted. Then maby in your spare time, Go back and read some post from a few years ago.

I dont believe I ever bashed you or your words, Simply asking that instead of preaching try to have a conversation.

There are hundreds of tanning salons,rather thousands. but guess what ? There all different. No two salons can operate the same. Even if there owned by the same person, One salon will vary from the next.

Why would an owner of a salon, whose is the only salon in town do a free tan weekend ?