An eco ethos
A glance at the menu prices of Amica Eco shows the long-established Dublin salon has slightly lower base prices for services than many of its nearby competitors. To some, who are convinced going green means unavoidable higher costs, that might be surprising. Yet Amica has been able to transition towards greater sustainability without driving up costs, partly because of its ultra-low colour costs made possible with Vish Colour Management.
”“We have set a fair, competitive starting price so clients with shorter or finer hair are not facing a high charge for colour not used,” says Gwen McCarthy , manager of the family-owned salon. “If the stylist has to use more colour because the client has left a big gap between visits or has very long, thick hair, the cost is calculated by Vish down to the gram and then added to the client’s bill. Before, that was a cost that we absorbed, eating away at our profit.”
Abolish over-dispensing
Amica began using Vish in March 2023 to help bring down over-dispensing, a problem that faces every salon not managing colour with technology. The six stylists, including owners Greg and Alison Clarke, and their daughter Alanna, have since seen colour usage drop. But Vish colour management system has enabled more than just control of dispensing. It ensures every additional colour or service is charged for, stopping the drain on revenue due to missed services. This charge has allowed Amica to capture an additional €8,050.21 in the first seven months of 2024.
Colour consistency and transparency
”“Our sustainable colour brand is a little more expensive than the traditional providers but using Vish to manage our costs means we are actually up on revenue and profit,” adds Gwen. “And our clients are 100% behind us. They much prefer the transparent charging model we now follow.”
Vish ensures there are few surprises for clients. The skilled team can give an estimated cost range to new clients while existing clients who go longer between appointments or have long or porous hair know they will have an additional few euros added to their final bill. They know, too, that their colour will be consistent because all of their history is captured and saved in Vish, freeing the team from tedious record-keeping.
Protecting the planet and profits
Vish has other immediate benefits to the salon that directly affect profitability. It takes some of the sting out of price increases and eases stock control.
”“We can react immediately to manufacturing increases,” continues Gwen. “If we are hit with a price increase from our supplier, we can amend base colour rates in Vish rather than carrying the extra costs until we can review and update our menu. Also, by monitoring usage, Vish shows how much of each colour has been used, allowing us to restock only what we need, which means we are spending less.”
Other initiatives introduced by the salon over the past couple of years have further cemented Amica’s record on sustainability, but only Vish has allowed them to remain competitively priced. Going green with Vish has protected profits, not just the planet.
To learn more about how Vish can boost your bottom line, book a call with our team today.
