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Beauty entrepreneur Emma Lewisham on how Afterpay helps her luxury brand reach more customers.

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As a pioneering beauty entrepreneur whose products are stocked around the world, Emma Lewisham has a talent for understanding what women want.From natural skincare products that deliver real results to 100% climate-positive&nbsp;packaging, Lewisham is constantly innovating - and always listening to her customers. “Listening and responding to our customer is really important to me,” says Lewisham.In fact, it was customer demand that convinced her to offer Afterpay.“The reason we knew [to launch] Afterpay was because we listened to our customers… and we could see that feedback coming through.”It was a decision that continues to deliver business benefits, including making the brand’s luxury products available to younger customers, says Lewisham.<h2>About Emma Lewisham.</h2>Emma Lewisham launched her brand in 2019 after dissatisfaction with the natural beauty products she’d tried. Five years on, the New Zealand brand, which marries luxury skincare with natural ingredients and a circular model, is experiencing soaring growth.The brand, with its distinctive purple packaging, is stocked in Mecca stores across Australia, as well as Space NK boutiques in the UK and prestigious department stores such as Harrods.

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<h2>Afterpay makes luxury accessible.</h2>Lewisham says that Afterpay has helped grow the business by making the products – which retail for between $76 and $138 – more accessible to younger people in particular. “As soon as we launched, the number in the 18-25 bracket went through the roof.”Now, offering Afterpay is more important than ever. “We have seen that Afterpay has been very attractive to younger customers who want to manage their spending or get paid weekly rather than fortnightly."<h2>Afterpay offers customers flexibility.</h2>Lewisham says that Afterpay enables customers to manage their spending.&nbsp;“The biggest benefit of partnering with Afterpay has been the ability to provide people with more flexibility around payment.”<h2>Afterpay helps with business cash flow.</h2>For businesses, Afterpay delivers cash upfront. When asked if she’d recommend Afterpay to other merchants, Lewisham doesn’t hesitate, saying the benefit is two-fold: “It is definitely worthwhile; it gives your customers a more flexible payment option, yet as a merchant receiving the funds up-front helps with business cashflow.”

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Beauty entrepreneur Emma Lewisham on how Afterpay helps her luxury brand reach more customers.

Discover how beauty mogul Emma Lewisham leverages Afterpay to broaden her luxury skincare brand's reach and enhance cash flow. Learn how Afterpay's flexibility appeals to younger demographics and facilitates upfront payments for businesses. 

Unlocking Luxury: Emma Lewisham Shares How Afterpay Boosts Accessibility and Cash Flow for Her Beauty Brand

“Afterpay has been very attractive to our younger customers.”

Emma Lewisham 

Central Coast hair salon Milk &amp; Honey learned firsthand just how Afterpay can fuel growth.

When Danielle Cohen first took over<a href="https://milkandhoneyhairandbeauty.com.au/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> Milk &amp; Honey Hair and Beauty</a>, a salon on NSW’s Central Coast, her most popular services were the most “basic” cuts and treatments on offer.&nbsp;&nbsp;Fast forward seven years and her clientele is spending much more – something Cohen credits to Afterpay.“We [implemented] Afterpay about five years ago, to give clients more freedom,” she says. “We wanted to bring in services that cost a little bit more. Being able to offer our clients payment plans helped us move in that direction.”Since then, the salon has significantly expanded, jumping from servicing 40 clients per week to between 80 and 120 today. Six hair stations have more than doubled to 14, and Cohen employs a team of eight.“Afterpay’s been a bit of a game-changer for us,” says Cohen. “It’s definitely contributed to our growth and success.”<h1>About Milk &amp; Honey.</h1>Cohen and her mother, Belinda, bought Milk &amp; Honey in 2015, with the aim of transforming the existing salon into something more special and sumptuous. Together, they renovated the space, which is located in the bustling regional centre of Gosford, and introduced plush leather chairs and glamorous styling touches.The light and bright interiors serve more than just an aesthetic purpose – they help create a feel-good experience for the client. “We want our clients to come into a beautiful place where they can get away,” says Cohen. “We offer a boutique experience with a thorough consult, the best products – from L'Oréal and Kérastase – and wine and cheese platters.”

<h1>Afterpay encourages clients to access higher-value treatments.</h1>Afterpay helps continue Milk &amp; Honey’s smooth service all the way to the checkout.&nbsp;“We always quote our clients the full price for their appointment before we start,” notes Cohen. “But if they’re unsure about the price and we mention that we have Afterpay, they’ll often say, ‘That’s amazing, go ahead with the treatment’ ... It gives them that little bit of leeway so that they can say yes and spoil themselves, rather than being worried about the payment. It's definitely created a comfort for our clients.”<h1>Afterpay increases product sales.</h1>They’re the bane of hairdressers the world over: clients who come to the salon for premium treatments, but use poor-quality hair products at home. At Milk &amp; Honey, Afterpay has proved a useful solution.“When we recommend home care, we’re finding that clients are more likely to [purchase] it with Afterpay," says Cohen.&nbsp;“If they’ve spent $200 to $400 on their hair, purchasing haircare might be an additional $150. So sometimes our clients pay for their hair service in full, and then use Afterpay to pay for the product.”

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“Afterpay has encouraged a lot of clients to rebook their services... and reduced appointment cancellations."

<h1>Afterpay encourages client commitment.</h1>By paying in instalments, clients are often happier to commit to a longer-term, high-quality plan for their hair – which is a win for the clients and salon alike.“We’re not a one-stop salon, we're not going to push someone’s hair that far in one appointment,” says Cohen.&nbsp;“It’s about creating a plan for future visits to help clients achieve their goal. It’s going to be a bit more costly, but if the client knows that they have a payment option, they’re more willing to let you do their hair slowly and keep coming back.”

<h1>Afterpay encourages advance bookings and reduces cancellations.</h1>Milk &amp; Honey has a waiting list of 70 people, with December appointments almost fully booked three months in advance.“Afterpay has encouraged a lot of clients to rebook their services, rather than being worried about whether they’ll have the money in the bank to pay,” says Cohen. “I think it’s also reduced people cancelling their appointments, for the same reason.”This has contributed to Milk &amp; Honey’s growth (with Cohen noting that the salon has seen a particular rise in younger clients since the implementation of Afterpay), and offers peace of mind, too.“It's really good to have the comfort of the bookings and to know what your business will look like for the next three months,” says Cohen. “That way, I can put all my focus into looking after our staff and our clients."

Milk & Honey learned firsthand just how Afterpay can fuel growth

Discover how Milk & Honey salon revolutionises beauty services with Afterpay, boosting client satisfaction, sales, and advance bookings.

Transforming Beauty: Milk & Honey's Success Story with Afterpay Revolutionizing Salon Services and Client Experiences

“Afterpay has been a game-changer for us.”

Milk & Honey

South Australian hair salon JaDs on the benefits of offering Afterpay.

Taryn Lattanzio vividly remembers the first time a client used Afterpay at her salon in South Australia. It was three years ago, and the client in question was a regular whose ghd hair straightener had stopped working that morning.&nbsp;“[The client] was already signed up for Afterpay and was so happy to be able to leave the salon with her new straightener,” recalls Richardson, before adding, “I was just as happy to have the funds in my account overnight."When asked if she’d recommend Afterpay to other salons, she doesn’t hesitate. “In a heartbeat,” she replies. “You’re only charged for fees as the services are used, and the potential new clients and increased revenue make it a no brainer. Consumers recognise and trust the brand.”<h1>About JaDs.</h1>Lattanzio has owned <a href="https://www.jadshairdressers.co/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">JaDs hair salon</a> in Victor Harbour for 14 years. In that time, she’s worked tirelessly to modernise the business, launching an online booking for customers (via <a href="https://www.gettimely.com/?keyword=timely&amp;ads_cmpid=1301542467&amp;ads_adid=80776094307&amp;ads_matchtype=e&amp;ads_network=g&amp;ads_creative=597465617443&amp;utm_term=timely&amp;ads_targetid=kwd-120550200&amp;utm_campaign=AUBrand&amp;utm_source=google&amp;utm_medium=cpc&amp;gclid=Cj0KCQjwnNyUBhCZARIsAI9AYlG47HYmKSA4-i56YHYNvpR26OxH8C5RJQpBkJEvxJeZPVdKu81UbOwaAhsqEALw_wcB" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Timely</a>), revamping JaDs’ social media channels and opening an e-commerce shop.While all of these elements undoubtedly helped boost JaDs’ bottom line, Lattanzio says that it was partnering with Afterpay that doubled revenue in parts of the business.

<h1>Afterpay has doubled revenue from colour services.</h1>Lattanzio says that since introducing Afterapy, revenue from colour services has doubled, with more clients choosing to upgrade from a basic colour service to a high-fashion colour service. “Afterpay makes paying for often costly modern colour services easier for clients.”<h1>Afterpay boosts product sales.</h1>Clients aren’t simply using Afterpay for treatments. “Our retail and electrical sales like straighteners, curlers and dryers have gone up considerably, too,” she says.<h1>Afterpay minimises cancellations.</h1>Lattanzio adds that Afterpay also reduces cancellations as customers feel confident they can cover the costs of their treatments.&nbsp;“Our Afterpay customers are our higher serviced clients usually, as they keep appointments irrespective of cash flow. They’re also more likely to purchase investment pieces like extensions and electrical in the salon, rather than sourcing them online later.”

South Australian hair salon JaDs on the benefits of Afterpay

"Afterpay has doubled revenue in parts of my business."

JADs hair salon

Global teeth-whitening brand HiSmile confirms that Afterpay drives sales, loyalty and trust

At-home teeth-whitening brand HiSmile launched in 2014 with a clear aim: to disrupt the in-clinic whitening market.To succeed, they knew they needed a business solution that was just as ambitious and forward-thinking.&nbsp;With Afterpay they found just that, as well as a payments platform that millennials – HiSmile’s target market – loved.&nbsp;“Afterpay was such an innovative way to get our kind of millennial consumer buying us,” says Justin Gaggino, HiSmile’s general manager. “It’s definitely the global leader in [Buy Now Pay Later] solutions and consumers trust Afterpay.”<h1>About HiSmile.</h1>HiSmile was launched by Gold Coast friends Nik Mirkovic and Alex Tomic and the brand was an immediate hit with younger consumers.An innovative social media strategy and endorsements from the likes of Kim Kardashian saw revenue soar to $96m by 2022. The brand is now global, having recently launched in the US, and it is available in 10,000 retail stores, as well as online.<h1>Afterpay boosts HiSmile’s average order value.</h1>In the past year, customers who have paid with Afterpay spent 20% more than those who pay with other methods, says Gaggino. “That’s quite a strong increase. I think if you're not with Afterpay now, it's a mistake, and you should be.”

"[Afterpay] was very much an invaluable solution for us to be able to continue to scale.”

<h1>Afterpay helped HiSmile scale.</h1>Early on, offering Afterpay helped the brand scale faster, says Gaggino, as it allowed more people to try the product for the first time. “It helped us scale up our efforts because it felt like a lot more people then had the ability to buy our products, especially at the start. It was very much an invaluable solution for us to be able to continue to scale at the time.”&nbsp;

<h1>Afterpay drives loyalty and customer retention.</h1>Although HiSmile was an early innovator in the at-home teeth whitening space, the category has become increasingly saturated, making customer retention more important. Gaggino says Afterpay customers shop frequently.“Afterpay customers generally tend to come back,” says Gaggino. “And I think Afterpay itself does a very good job of promoting the brands within its own network from online but also through the app.”<h1>Afterpay improves trust.</h1>Afterpay isn’t just a payment solution; it’s also a trusted brand that bestows benefits on the brands it’s associated with, says Gaggino. “It definitely helps from a trust building perspective; if Afterpay associates with a brand, it must be a relatively reputable brand.”

Global teeth-whitening brand HiSmile on how Afterpay drives sales.

Discover how Afterpay increases HiSmile's average order value by reducing barriers to first purchase and increasing loyalty.

Boosting sales: How Afterpay increases HiSmile's average order value

“Afterpay increases our average order value by 20%.”

HiSmile

Payment plans and premium pampering have been integral to the evolution of Milk and Honey

When Danielle Cohen first took over<a href="https://milkandhoneyhairandbeauty.com.au/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> Milk and Honey Hair and Beauty</a>, a salon on NSW’s Central Coast, her most popular services were the most “basic” cuts and treatments on offer.&nbsp;&nbsp;“We had clients paying about $80 for colour work, or even less, and that included a cut and blow-dry,” she recalls.Fast forward seven years and the needs, wants and budgets of her clientele have shifted dramatically. “We have clients who are paying $300 to $400 per appointment, and we’re doing a lot of blonde and balayage colour work.”Cohen credits the evolution of her salon, in part, to letting clients pay in instalments with <a href="https://www.afterpay.com/en-AU" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Afterpay</a>.

“We [implemented] Afterpay about five years ago, to give clients more freedom around what they can and can’t [afford],” she says. “We wanted to bring in services that cost a little bit more. Being able to offer our clients payment plans helped us move in that direction.”&nbsp;Since then, the salon has significantly expanded, jumping from servicing 40 clients per week to between 80 and 120 today. Six hair stations have more than doubled to 14, and Cohen employs a team of eight.“Afterpay’s been a bit of a game-changer for us,” says Cohen. “It’s definitely contributed to our growth and success.”

<h3>A luxurious client experience</h3>Cohen bought Milk and Honey with her mum, Belinda, in 2015, with the intention of transforming the existing salon into something more special and sumptuous. They immediately renovated the space, located in the bustling regional centre of Gosford, by bringing in plush leather chairs and glamorous styling touches.The light and bright interiors serve more than just an aesthetic purpose – they help create a feel-good experience for the client. “We want our clients to come into a beautiful place where they can get away,” says Cohen. “We offer a boutique experience with a thorough consult, the best products – from L'Oréal and Kérastase – and wine and cheese platters.”Afterpay helps continue this smooth service all the way to the checkout. “We always quote our clients the full price for their appointment before we start,” notes Cohen. “But if they’re unsure about the price and we mention that we have Afterpay, they’ll often say, ‘That’s amazing, go ahead with the treatment’ ... It gives them that little bit of leeway so that they can say yes and spoil themselves, rather being worried about the payment. It's definitely created a comfort for our clients.”

<h3>Afterpay increases product sales and encourages repeat clients</h3>They’re the bane of hairdressers the world over: clients who come to the salon for premium treatments, but use poor-quality hair products at home. At Milk and Honey, Afterpay has proved a useful solution.“When we recommend home care, we’re finding that clients are more likely to [purchase] it with Afterpay," says Cohen. “If they’ve spent $200 to $400 on their hair, purchasing haircare might be an additional $150. So sometimes our clients pay for their hair service in full, and then use Afterpay to pay for the product.”With a payment plan, clients are often happier to commit to a longer-term, high-quality plan for the hair – which is a win for the clients and salon alike.“We’re not a one-stop salon, we're not going to push someone’s hair that far in one appointment,” says Cohen. “It’s about creating a plan for future visits to help clients achieve their goal. It’s going to be a bit more costly, but if the client knows that they have a payment option, they’re more willing to let you do their hair slowly and keep coming back.”

<h3>Afterpay encourages advance bookings and reduces cancellations</h3>Milk and Honey currently has a waiting list of 70 people, with December appointments almost fully booked up three months in advance.“Afterpay has encouraged a lot of clients to rebook their services, rather than being worried about whether they’ll have the money in the bank to pay,” says Cohen. “I think it’s also reduced people cancelling their appointments, for the same reason.”This has contributed to Milk and Honey’s growth (with Cohen noting that the salon has seen a particular rise in younger clients since the implementation of Afterpay), and offers peace of mind, too.“It's really good to have the comfort of the bookings and to know what your business will look like for the next three months,” says Cohen. “That way, I can put all my focus into looking after our staff and our clients.”

Payment plans and premium pampering have been integral to the evolution of Milk and Honey.

Gosford hair salon Milk & Honey has thrived thanks to buy now pay later platform Afterpay and premium pampering services.

How Milk & Honey doubled its clientele with Afterpay

How Afterpay helped this hair salon double its client base

Milk and honey hair salon L'Oreal 

A customer-first approach, luxurious experience and Afterpay have helped grow this Bendigo hair salon.

They say that location is everything, and that was certainly the case for <a href="https://www.hairfolk.com.au/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Hairfolk</a> founders Jemma Lea and Georgia Hosking.The pair had both worked as hairdressers for 15 years when Lea happened to spot a beautiful, vacant heritage building on the main street of Bendigo.“I drove past one day and saw that it was for lease and thought, ‘Oh my goodness, that would make such a great salon’. I called Georgia and was like, ‘Do you want to open a salon together?’”That was in 2018. Fast forward four years and their hairdressing salon Hairfolk is a huge success, welcoming 150 clients, including 20 first-timers, through its doors every week.

<h3>Growing the business</h3>Instagram played a huge role in the early days of Hairfolk. Although Lea and Hosking were able to bring their existing clients to Hairfolk, social media enabled them to showcase their work.“Having a good presence on <a href="https://www.afterpay.com/en-AU/business/access/social-media-tips/small-business-social-media-guide" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">social media </a>really kick-started the business. We knew Instagram was going to be a big part of our journey,” says Lea. “Obviously word of mouth and your reputation plays into success, but when people can actually see your work, it makes a big difference.”Right from the start, Lea and Hosking were also focused on offering more than just a haircut or treatment, and instead providing a luxurious, <a href="https://www.afterpay.com/en-AU/business/access/customer-service/customer-centricity" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">customer-centric</a> experience that clients would want to return to.

<h3>How Hairfolk puts clients first</h3>At Hairfolk, <a href="https://www.afterpay.com/en-AU/business/access/customer-service/customer-service" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">customer experience</a> is everything. Not only is the salon set in a striking heritage building, with sleekly luxurious and light-filled interiors, but upon arrival, clients can enjoy a complimentary espresso or glass of bubbles. When they’re ready to leave the salon, looking and feeling fresh, they can choose to use <a href="https://www.afterpay.com/en-AU" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Afterpay</a>.“People want experiences and they're happy to pay for them,” says Lea. “When someone comes in after having their kids all day, or they’re with their girlfriends getting ready to go out, they want that extra luxury.”Lea understands that for many of her clients, a visit to the salon can be a vital act of self-care or a splurge they’ve been looking forward to for weeks. Afterpay allows clients to enjoy this experience while paying off the cost in instalments.&nbsp;

<h3>Afterpay enables high-end treatments</h3>Hairfolk is known for its on-trend offerings such as balayage and hair extensions – both of which can be costly, especially when specialist products are required for maintenance. Afterpay allows clients to pay for these services over time.“Afterpay is something we always wanted and needed within our business,” says Lea. “Particularly for those bigger jobs, like hair extensions, we definitely notice it can extend people’s spending further. Afterpay can be the difference between someone taking home some shampoo and conditioner or opting out completely.”When it comes to smaller services, like haircuts and blowouts, Lea says Afterpay can still be the reason their clients choose Hairfolk over other local salons. She also notes that the increased spending she sees from clients using Afterpay more than makes up for the product’s service fees.

<h3>Afterpay eases friction</h3>For the last six months, Hairfolk’s clients have been able to use Afterpay just by tapping their phone on the salon’s EFTPOS terminal. It’s a process that Lea believes further removes anxiety around spending money at the salon.&nbsp;With Afterpay, clients can just tap their phone and go, without the team even realising they opted to use the buy now, pay later service.&nbsp;&nbsp;“I definitely recommend Afterpay to other salon owners,” she says.When it came to building their business from the ground up, Lea and Hosking relied on the loyalty of their clients from previous salons, the curiosity of Bendigo locals (who are always keen to check out a new opening), and the power of social media.&nbsp;“Having a good presence on social media really kick-started the business. We knew Instagram was going to be a big part of our journey,” says Lea. “Obviously word of mouth and your reputation plays into success, but when people can actually see your work, it makes a big difference.”With thousands of followers, the Hairfolk Instagram account shows off the team’s best work and reminds the salon’s clients that Afterpay is available.

A customer-first approach, luxurious experience and Afterpay have helped grow this Bendigo hair salon

A customer-first approach, luxurious experience and partnering with Afterpay have helped grow Hairfolk, a Bendigo L'Oreal hair salon.

How Hairfolk salon keeps clients coming back

How Hairfolk keeps clients coming back

When Taryn Richardson took over <a href="https://www.jadshairdressers.co/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">JaDs salon </a>in South Australia, she immediately introduced a range of new tech solutions.

Taryn Richardson vividly remembers the first time a client used Afterpay at her salon in Victor Harbor, South Australia.&nbsp;It was three years ago, and the client in question was a regular whose ghd hair straightener had stopped working that morning.&nbsp;“[The client] was already signed up for Afterpay and was so happy to be able to leave the salon with her new straightener,” recalls Richardson, before adding, “I was just as happy to have the funds in my account overnight."

Richardson has been the owner of <a href="https://www.jadshairdressers.co/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">JaDs hair salon</a> for 14 years. Before that she worked on the salon floor, and it was only when her marriage broke up that the newly single mother of two decided to use her divorce settlement to buy into the business.&nbsp;A few short years later she was the outright owner of JaDs – and since then, Richardson has worked tirelessly to modernise the business, and set a positive example for her two daughters, Maddison, now 14, and Ruby, 12.

Since taking over JaDs, Richardson has introduced a raft of new tech innovations. She launched online booking for customers (via <a href="https://www.gettimely.com/?keyword=timely&amp;ads_cmpid=1301542467&amp;ads_adid=80776094307&amp;ads_matchtype=e&amp;ads_network=g&amp;ads_creative=597465617443&amp;utm_term=timely&amp;ads_targetid=kwd-120550200&amp;utm_campaign=AUBrand&amp;utm_source=google&amp;utm_medium=cpc&amp;gclid=Cj0KCQjwnNyUBhCZARIsAI9AYlG47HYmKSA4-i56YHYNvpR26OxH8C5RJQpBkJEvxJeZPVdKu81UbOwaAhsqEALw_wcB" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">Timely</a>), revamped JaDs’ social media channels, opened an e-commerce shop and introduced Afterpay.While all of these elements undoubtedly helped boost JaDs’ bottom line, Richardson says that it was Afterpay that doubled revenue in parts of the business.<h2>Afterpay allows customers to upgrade&nbsp;</h2>She explains that revenue from colour services has doubled since introducing Afterpay, with more clients choosing to upgrade from a basic colour service to a high fashion colour service. “Afterpay makes paying for often costly modern colour services easier for clients.”

But clients aren’t simply using Afterpay for treatments. “Our retail and electrical sales like straighteners, curlers and dryers have gone up considerably, too,” she says.Would she recommend Afterpay to other salon owners? “In a heartbeat,” she replies. “You’re only charged for fees as the services are used, and the potential new clients and increased revenue make it a no brainer. Consumers recognise and trust the brand.”<h2>Afterpay minimises cancellations</h2>Richardson adds that Afterpay also reduces cancellations as customers feel confident they can cover the costs of their treatments.

“Our Afterpay customers are our higher serviced clients usually, as they keep appointments irrespective of cash flow. They’re also more likely to purchase investment pieces like extensions and electrical in the salon, rather than sourcing them online later.”&nbsp;&nbsp;<h2>Innovation and investing in people</h2>Richardson believes that what sets JaDs apart is her drive to innovate, including adopting new tech and investing in her team.“Employing the right people has been crucial, from those in the salon to the accountant, tech people and suppliers like Afterpay. It all plays a part in how I can function as a leader and keep progressing,” she says. “I’ve been smart enough to admit when I don’t know something and source the right people and training to learn it.”

“Employing the right people has been crucial."

This February, Richardson and JaDs hit another business milestone, when she purchased the commercial premises in which JaDs operates. “It’s a proud moment,” she confides. Progress and proactivity, just as Richardson likes it.&nbsp;&nbsp;

How tech helps this salon succeed

Sharyn Black of Vivid Hair and Beauty offers a range of services for men and women suffering hair loss.

One of Sharyn Black’s earliest memories is standing behind her father’s chair playing with his hair as he watched TV. She was four and it was the beginning of a lifelong passion. “I always knew I wanted to be a hairdresser,” she explains, “even when I was really young.”&nbsp;Black’s first styling job was in 1975, back when clients were asking for perms, soft curls, and shag haircuts. These days, it’s more likely to be balayage and blowouts.<h2>A specialist salon</h2>But that isn’t the only thing that’s changed. Over the years, as the owner of <a href="https://vividhairandbeauty.com.au/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">Vivid Hair and Beauty</a> in Gregory Hills, south of Sydney, Black has become known for working with clients suffering from hair loss problems. It’s a passion borne from personal experience.

“Around 15 years ago my mum had breast cancer,” explains Black. “She lost her hair while going through chemotherapy and it really affected her. Watching [that] experience inspired me to become heavily involved with supplying high-quality wigs to [people] going through cancer therapy treatment.”Today, Black, who is a master stylist, offers premium wigs and a hair thickening service called Microline for men and women experiencing traumatic hair loss, such as female pattern baldness, male baldness, alopecia and hair loss due to scarring.﻿“We are now the only salon in Australia licensed to offer Microline,” she explains. “It’s non-invasive and very effective.”

﻿Vivid Hair and Beauty is also one of the few Australian salons to offer Hairdreams hair extensions, which are made from luxury, high-quality human hair sourced from Europe (and are popular among celebrities such as Lady Gaga and Jennifer Lawrence.)&nbsp;“It’s the very best human hair in the world. It's never been coloured, so the brown hair has come from a person with brown hair, the blonde has come from a [natural] blonde,” Black explains.

<h2>&nbsp;Afterpay helps clients access services</h2>However, both Microline and Hairdreams hair extensions are priced at the higher end of the market with hair extensions ranging from $250, for example. This, says Black, is where Afterpay comes in.﻿“Afterpay has given a lot of women and men the opportunity to have beautiful hair without having [to pay] the full upfront cost,” she says. “That allows them to consider this life-changing service.”

"Afterpay allows them to consider this life-changing service.”

For Black, introducing Afterpay for her clients four years ago was a “no-brainer”, and she estimates that the service has increased her business turnover by around 10 to 15 per cent.<h2>Afterpay helps upsells</h2>In addition, Black explains that Afterpay can be used as an upselling tool.“Afterpay has allowed me to upsell to my customers. I can say to my client, ‘Yes, we can give you the style that you want or the colour that you want, or the hair extensions that you want, and you can pay for it with Afterpay’,” she explains.﻿For other clients, especially the younger ones, Afterpay has enabled them to add something else to their purchase such as a better-quality shampoo and conditioner to take home.

And when it comes to the Afterpay fees, Black’s relaxed approach is grounded in solid business acumen.“I don't worry about the Afterpay fees at all because they are a business cost, and running a business comes with costs,” she says.﻿“Afterpay gives me the benefit of being able to make more money through my business and it also gives my clients the opportunity to be able to get the service that they really dream of having. It’s a win-win. You’re crazy if you don't use Afterpay as a hairstylist.”

Inside the salon giving customers their confidence back. 

Sharyn Black of Vivid Hair and Beauty supports men and women suffering hair loss. She explains how Afterpay helps her business.

Vivid Hair And Beauty: The salon changing clients' hair styles - and lives

The hairdresser changing clients’ hair styles - and their lives, too

This hairdresser is changing customers’ hair styles - and lives

Business is better than ever at this Cairns hairdressing salon, which took on Afterpay during the pandemic.

They say you should never mix business and pleasure, but for mother-daughter duo Lynn Hutchinson and Shalee Lewis, blending family and work has been a winning combination.Although Hutchinson has been a hairstylist for 30 years, it wasn’t until 2019 that the pair decided to go into business together, and their salon <a href="https://merakicurlz.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">Meraki Curlz</a> was born.“We realised that what works best for us is sticking to our own areas of expertise,” says Lewis, who manages the salon. “Mum runs the salon floor and the hairdressing side of things, while I control everything in the background: marketing, social media, accounting, team management, that sort of thing.”

Located in Mount Sheridan Plaza in Cairns, Queensland, Meraki Curlz attracts between 10 and 20 clients a day, who are taken care of by a staff of six. “Our clients are like our family,” Lewis explains. “And, as a family run business, we love to bring a welcoming, family vibe. We have many clients that we call our friends.”But even friends had to adjust when COVID-19 emerged in 2020. While many online businesses flourished during lockdown, hairdressing was one of the industries hardest hit due to widespread salon closures.

“With COVID and increased living costs, everyone has been unsure about spending.”

In addition, many customers have been cutting back on discretionary spending. “Over the past two years with COVID and increased living costs, everyone has been unsure about spending,” says Lewis.

<h2>Afterpay as an alternative to discounting</h2>As the pandemic progressed, rather than resorting to lay-offs or discounts, Meraki Curlz chose to implement Afterpay instead. “Afterpay has helped our business immensely,” Lewis says, continuing, “clients are open to spending more when they see we have Afterpay as a payment option.”The result has been an increase not just in the sale of haircare products, such as shampoos and treatments, but styling tools as well.&nbsp;“I love watching clients say ‘Oh, I will take those products then if I can Afterpay it!’ It’s wonderful to see them come to the counter and find out Afterpay is an option.”

"The increased revenue we receive from Afterpay outweighs the fees!"

The salon has become so busy that Lewis, who used to live 40km away from work, has moved to be closer to the business.Life is busy, and there’s been a learning curve. “The Afterpay fees took a little while to understand at first [but] the increased revenue we receive outweighs the fees! All sales on Afterpay are over $250, with our average sale around $300, and our biggest so far, an $880 sale."It’s something both mother and daughter believe would not have happened without the implementation of Afterpay.

<h2>How Afterpay helps upsell&nbsp;</h2>Another happy change is upselling. Before Afterpay, a client might limit the number of foils or highlights in their hair. But when given the option of spreading out their payments over four separate installments, many now choose to have a full head of highlights or foils – and spend almost double what they previously had.It also means that any awkwardness — when the hairstyle or colour costs more than anticipated — is no longer a concern. Afterpay allows clients to experience a frictionless, more luxurious experience.

And the best part? Clients who leave happy after a few hours of peace at the salon... Lewis and Hutchinson understand all too well how often women — and mothers, especially — will often put themselves last when it comes to the household budget.&nbsp;“Having Afterpay as a payment option absolutely eases the pressure for our clients and allows them to still take time out for self-care,” explains Lewis.

Business is better than ever for this Cairns salon

Meraki Curlz is run by mother-daughter duo Lynn Hutchinson and Shalee Lewis. They talk business and payments.