The salon business, or really any small business, can be a lonely one. You’re riding herd on a group of creative, talented individuals while at the same time stretching to conform to standard business practices. Other than making like a juggler in a circus, how do you get it all to work? As with most things in life, keeping it simple is usually the best idea. Here are a few tips to help you put it all in perspective. First of all, have a plan. A good business plan doesn’t need to be long and complicated, but it should include a marketing outline. Look forward and list the landmarks you want to reach and the timeframe for reaching them. Tack it up on your wall if you need to. It will help keep you on track while ticking off your successes along the way. Your plan is a guideline, not a Bible. That said, stick to it but be flexible. Sometimes you’ll need to make adjustments to it, such as when your bottom line is bigger than you thought it would be and you hit your landmarks sooner than expected. Make new ones and add them to the list. Probably the most important tip is to keep a sense of humor. Laughter really is the best medicine, especially for relieving the stress of being a business owner. Salons run on human energy, and humans are inherently funny things. There is a lot to giggle about if you just look for it. You’ll feel better, you’ll make better decisions, and you’ll have a life beyond work. It will also make you a boss that’s easier to be around. Creating and updating a salon business plan can seem overwhelming, but here at SalonClouds+ we’re ready to help with salon-specific marketing ideas and the SalonCloudsPlus app. Haven’t seen the app in action? Email us for a free demo of the system at app@webappclouds.com or check out the website at www.SalonCloudsPlus.com.