11. Mistake 3: Misunderstanding service
The Allure of the “Need” for brows and frequency of service
Many new entrants to the beauty industry view services like powder brows as highly lucrative, akin to a land flowing with milk and honey. This perception is often associated with the belief in a continuous influx of clients and steady revenue. However, these services' reality and market demand may not align with this optimistic view.
Service Classification: Pain-Killer or Vitamin?
A classic way to categorize services is to distinguish them as essential problem solvers or additional luxuries. This distinction is often framed as "painkiller" (essential and immediately necessary) versus "vitamin" (beneficial but not critical). Basic needs such as housing, food, transportation, and healthcare are typically considered "painkillers," as they are essential for daily living. On the other hand, luxury items and high-end entertainment fall into the "vitamin" category. These are nice but not crucial for survival or basic well-being. In times of financial strain, such as being unable to pay rent, luxury purchases like designer handbags become less of a priority, and in some cases, previously bought luxury items might even need to be sold to manage essential expenses.
Positioning of Brow Services
Determining where powder brows, hairstrokes, or microblading services fit these categories is not straightforward. While these services offer a semi-permanent enhancement to one’s appearance, they are more discretionary than essential services like housing or healthcare.
Often, starting artists in powder brows or microblading fields may incorrectly assume these services fall into the "badly needed" category. Such a misjudgment can lead to unrealistic business expectations and potential disappointment, as the actual demand for these services might be more aligned with discretionary spending rather than perceived as a necessity by potential clients. Thus, based on the observations from many seasoned artists with 10+ years of experience, the powder brows, hairstrokes, and microblading service falls in the middle, figuratively one-third from the “luxury” service and two-thirds from the “badly necessary”.