Hair salons are community spaces

Hair salons are community spaces— and they always have been.
As salon owners, we have a unique opportunity to help our guests build and nurture a sense of community through the spaces we create.

Let’s first define what "community" means:
According to Webster’s Dictionary, community is:

• A unified body of individuals, such as:

  • The people with common interests living in a particular area.

  • An interacting population of various kinds of individuals (such as species) in a common location.

In other words, we bring people together in a shared space—people from all walks of life, from all different backgrounds.

In our society, particularly here in the U.S., we’ve become more individualistic than ever. This shift has left many of us feeling lonely and disconnected, while on the other hand, some have become increasingly self-focused. The pandemic only amplified this separation, as we were physically distanced and unable to gather in shared spaces.

In my opinion, the coming years will only see this divide grow unless we make an intentional effort to reconnect and take care of one another.

As a salon owner, you already have a space where people gather! This is a gift—an opportunity to foster connection, kindness, and a sense of belonging.

Yes, doing hair is a job. We do it to make a living, pay our bills, and support ourselves. But we also do it because we genuinely care about people. The relationships we form with our clients are powerful and meaningful. We have the ability to make a difference in their lives and in our communities, one conversation and one haircut at a time.

As we move forward, let’s ask ourselves: How will we use our salon spaces not just to serve our clients, but to create a positive impact and foster a sense of belonging in our communities?

Sarah