Catching up with Shag!, an overnight salon success

With a reputation for trendy cuts and friendly staff, Shag! is one of Notting Hill’s go-to salons for a cut and colour. Founders April Taylor and Joe Sirry are a real overnight success story: after posting a teaser video on social media showcasing the Shag! salon space, they gained 40,000 followers and got fully booked up four months in advance. “We went from a small studio to a fully-fledged salon overnight — we couldn’t believe it,” April recalled. 

Changing beauty for the better

The team at Shag! has a clear mission. After 10 years working at hair salons, April and Joe decided to create the change they wanted to see in the industry. They gave their staff the tools and freedom to do their best work, while supporting their wellbeing and career growth. 

“We wanted to build a team where staff are treated just as well as clients, with flexible hours and plenty of opportunities to grow their personal brand,” said Joe. 

They’re also proud to be running their salon as sustainably as possible, using eco-friendly products and making sure to recycle packaging and hair clippings. 

“We’re here to give every client the five-star treatment they deserve.” 

Shag!’s clients enjoy more time in the chair than most salons, because ‘great hair takes time’. “The idea is for every client to feel comfortable and looked after, not rushed or forgotten,” Joe continued. “We’re here to give every client the five-star treatment they deserve.”

The pair knew that to balance their outstanding client care and staff management with efficient day-to-day operations, they’d need a world-class online booking platform. That’s where Fresha comes in.

Making every day a streamlined success

Fresha gives Shag! the tools to control their schedule and get the most value from each day. Everything is streamlined: clients can instantly book online, and stylists can arrange their days and weeks, easily making adjustments when needed.

“Our stylists are in total control of their day, which keeps them motivated. And gaps between appointments aren’t a problem for us anymore.”

And with Fresha’s smart scheduling helping to guarantee back-to-back appointments, every day is as smooth and profitable as possible. “Our stylists are in total control of their day, which keeps them motivated and lets them focus on their craft,” shared April. “Gaps between appointments aren’t a problem for us anymore.”

Plus, they use Fresha’s consultation forms to gather key information about new clients, like health conditions or product preferences. “The consultation forms tell us everything we need to know about clients, and help us stick to industry regulations,” April told us. “Getting their details and arranging patch tests takes zero effort.”

With Fresha, crunching the numbers is no problem

Fresha’s reports help the Shag! team uncover vital details about the salon’s performance, including exactly how their time is spent, how many new clients are coming in, how much they earn each day, and much more. They use these insights to steer the business, and to keep their whole team informed. “The reports let us be completely transparent with our team – it’s great motivation to see what you’re earning every day,” explained April.

“Our accountant loves Fresha – paying our team their wages and handling our taxes is so simple now. We save hours every week.”

Not to mention, with access to clear reports showing the salon’s income and outgoings, handling their finances is easier than ever. “With Fresha, the numbers side of the business is no problem,” Joe said. “Our accountant loves it – paying our team their wages and handling our taxes is so simple now. We save hours every week.”

Keeping clients connected with their brand

When asked if he had a favourite feature, Joe revealed: “If I had to pick, it’s Fresha’s automated emails and text messages. They really keep our clients connected to the salon.” The team uses Fresha to reach clients with “thank you” messages after each appointment, to show appreciation and ask clients to leave a review on their online Fresha marketplace profile (which currently has over 1,000 reviews and counting). 

“The messages also ask if clients would like to leave a tip, which of course our stylists love – it rewards them for the effort they put into client care,” he added.

The future is bright for Shag!

With a second venue in the works and plans to open a salon academy, Shag! is set to become an even bigger name in the industry. “It’s important to us that we’re able to educate new talent, so they can find their footing with their hair and beauty careers,” said April.

The future is bright for the salon; and according to April, Fresha will play a central role in their plans to come. “We’ve already seen how easy it is to set up multiple venues in the platform, and Fresha will help us stay transparent and connected with our stylists, no matter how many we hire as we grow. I’d recommend Fresha to anyone running a salon — it’s the best booking platform to help you hit your growth goals.”