Break the glass ceiling: how to attract premium beauty clients & grow your business

Beauty business mentor & award-winning entrepreneur, Stevey Powell, shares advice for if you’re experiencing the ‘glass ceiling’ effect…

We start our beauty businesses with a passion for what we do and over time, build a loyal client base and keep our calendars booked.

But for some of us, there comes a point when we hit a glass ceiling: a barrier where we feel stuck, overworked and underpaid. Despite our expertise and being fully booked, we’re not attracting the premium clients that would allow us to grow.

Beauty pros often feel the need to seek additional opportunities – like teaching or diversifying services – to increase earnings and face new challenges. But what if you could reach your next peak while focusing on the work you love?

As a beauty business mentor with 19 years of hands-on industry experience, I’ve worked with countless beauty professionals in this situation. My mission? To bridge the gap between beauty and business, helping pros to implement premium and profitable pricing strategies, refine their offerings and enhance their client experiences.

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The glass ceiling: why you’re stuck

Your skills are top-notch and your schedule is packed, but there’s a sense of being stuck. You’re working long hours, juggling all aspects of your business, and still not seeing the income growth you expected.

You’ve built a strong foundation, but now you need strategies that will push your business to the next level. The issue lies in your pricing, and this is where I come in: I give you the pricing strategy you need, and combine this with elevating your client experience and refining your offering. The reward? Premium clients who are willing to pay more, refer friends and remain loyal long-term.

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Raising the bar on client experience

In today’s competitive market, you need to create an experience that feels premium from start to finish to attract high-paying clients. This is where many beauty professionals falter: they focus so heavily on their craft that they neglect the client journey.

Here’s how to raise your standards:

1. First impressions: booking & communication

A client’s journey begins the moment they decide to book with you. An easy-to-use, user-friendly and mobile-optimised booking system is essential. If clients feel like they’re jumping through hoops, they might think twice. Once booked, communication is key. Follow up with a personalised confirmation email or text that sets expectations. This could include pre-treatment advice, a reminder about the service and directions to your location and parking, followed by ‘we look forward to welcoming you’.

2. Personalised consultations: building trust

When a client visits you, it’s not just about providing a service – it’s about creating a relationship. A consultation allows you to understand their goals, preferences, lifestyle and expectations. Clients want to feel heard, understood and cared for. Ask open-ended questions and about the maintenance level they are looking for, as this can lead you into upselling effortlessly.

3. A premium experience: elevating every touchpoint

From the moment they walk through the door to when they leave, clients should feel like they’re getting VIP treatment. Is your environment inviting and relaxing? Do you offer refreshments and small touches like a heated blanket? Does your playlist match the tone you want to set, or can clients choose music? Also, engage with your clients during services. Educate them on what you’re doing and offer tips on how to maintain the results. This shows you care beyond providing the service.

4. Post-service follow-up: continuing the relationship

The client journey doesn’t end when the treatment is over. This is often where the relationship can truly deepen. A quick follow-up message thanking them for their visit and checking on how they’re feeling can leave a lasting impression and shows that you care about their ongoing satisfaction. Offer aftercare tips and remind them about any follow-up appointments they might need. Always leave the line of communication open.

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Attracting premium clients: it’s about more than skillset 

Attracting premium clients is about building a strong connection and offering a value-packed, personalised and seamless experience that goes above and beyond.

Here’s how I help beauty professionals break through their glass ceilings:

• Implement a premium pricing strategy: This allows your offerings to align with the value you provide, while ensuring a premium profit margin.
• Client experience mastery: By dissecting every step of the client journey, we raise the bar at each touchpoint. This ensures your clients feel valued, heard and cared for.
• Refine your offerings: Together we create a luxury service menu that reflects the premium experience you now provide. We focus on high-quality, high-demand treatments that cater to your dream client.
• Marketing & systems that resonate: We’ll show off your skills and services, showcase testimonials that highlight how you’ve gone the extra mile and pair this with a booking system and automation that make your clients feel valued.
• Mindset shift: When you begin to see yourself as a premium service provider, your clients will see you that way too. It’s not just about what you offer – it’s about how you offer it.

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Ready to break your glass ceiling?

Let’s work together to upgrade your business and create a client experience that’s as exceptional as you are. I offer the Luxury Client Elevation Blueprint, an eight-week 1:1 where you’ll learn a five-step blueprint to transform your business. I also offer the Luxury Client Breakthrough session, a bespoke 1:1 where we’ll dive into one of five proven methods tailored to your specific needs, whether it’s refining your pricing, positioning, marketing or client experience.

Drop me a DM on Instagram @stevey.powell or email growth@steveypowell.com