The pandemic compelled many companies, particularly these within the magnificence business, to fully rethink the best way they function. Now, though a return to normalcy is on the horizon, some companies are persevering with to implement concepts that place each ease and comfort on the forefront.
Enter Shortcut: the first-of-its variety supply resolution for the nation’s high salons and spas. Providing a long-awaited DoorDash-style resolution for the wonder business, Shortcut empowers salon and spa homeowners to develop their companies, develop their geographic attain, retain high expertise and meet prospects the place they’re most snug, solidifying that at-home haircare companies are right here to keep post-pandemic.
American Salon sat down with Will Newton, Shortcut’s co-founder and COO, to focus on the logistics, how this app got here to life and the place he sees it heading sooner or later.
AS: Take us again to the drafting board. What prompted the thought for this app?
WN: Shortcut was based in 2016, targeted on providing high-quality, handy hair care companies to shoppers. After efficiently navigating the buyer facet, we shortly started to rethink the app after discovering there have been hurdles on the provision facet as stylists expressed curiosity in incomes extra on their very own time.
The pandemic opened new doorways for this concept and enhanced the necessity for shopper comfort. During this time, we pinpointed a definite alternative to put our know-how within the fingers of salon homeowners, empowering them to increase income, improve their stylists’ incomes potential and make their companies rather more dynamic.
AS: Some states have legal guidelines in opposition to at-home haircare companies. How does the app work round this?
WN: Each salon and spa that companions with Shortcut operates in a state the place in-home hair care companies are authorized below state board guidelines and laws. Shortcut offers every salon and spa companion with insurance coverage options for off-site companies. In addition, we guarantee all licensing and legal responsibility protection is in place for salon companions for off-site companies.
AS: One of the app’s first partnerships is with Scott J. Aveda Salons in Manhattan. How did that come about?
WN: While the pandemic has opened the door for change, salons want to proceed to evolve so as to increase income streams and preserve stylists blissful below their very own roofs. Scott Buchanan (proprietor of Scott J. Aveda salons) is a pacesetter within the business and noticed Shortcut as the answer. He acknowledged that the pandemic not solely highlighted the business’s short-term issues however long-term structural flaws that wanted to be addressed as effectively. AS: What has success seemed like for you thus far? Do you assume this will probably be a long-lasting resolution for individuals who don’t need to go to the salon anymore? WN: I do consider this will probably be a long-lasting resolution. The pandemic has highlighted the necessity for accessibility and choices throughout the service business and we’ve seen a requirement for Shortcut in city, suburban and rural markets because the rest of COVID-19 restrictions.
Not solely has Shortcut offered shoppers from busy mothers to these with disabilities entry to handy hair companies in their very own houses, however our platform additionally offers progress alternatives to salons and stylists.
