(and You Want to Scream Into a Pillow)!!
Let’s be honest. When that email lands in your inbox saying “We’ve updated our pricing plans”, your first thought isn’t “Oh goodie, I can’t wait to pay more!”
It’s more like: Are you f**ing kidding me?* 🥹
I get it. You already fork out for rent, products, wages, insurance, the never-ending supply of lashes and wax, and now your software wants a bigger bite too?
Deep breaths, bestie. Before you rage quit your booking app and start scribbling appointments in a paper diary, let’s talk about what’s really going on and how to handle it like the beauty boss you are.
Software companies aren’t trying to ruin your day (well, most of them). They raise prices for a few reasons:
They’ve been running too cheap for too long.
They offered low or even free plans to get people in the door. But that can’t last forever. Same reason you don’t still charge 2016 prices for a lash lift.
They’re levelling up.
More features, faster servers, better support; all that good stuff costs money. It’s like when you invest in a new device or course and have to bump your own prices to stay profitable.
They’re fixing old pricing messes.
Some salons are still on ancient “legacy” plans from 2015. So companies even things out so everyone’s paying similar rates.
Do you have to love it? Hell no. But understanding why it’s happening helps you react with strategy instead of stress. 💅
Ask yourself these questions and be brutally honest:
If the answer is mostly yes, then babe, the system’s doing its job; it’s an investment. 💸
If it’s mostly no, or the value just isn’t there anymore, it might be time to shop around..
If your software saves time, reduces no shows, grows revenue, and your team knows how to use it properly, stay. Switching systems can be a total nightmare.
You can lose bookings, reviews, and client trust faster than you can say data migration error.
If you’re paying more and getting less, it’s time to peace out. ✌️
Before you do, make sure you’ve checked:
You can export all your client data and notes without them holding it hostage.
You know what the new platform costs including SMS and card fees.
There’s proper onboarding help so you’re not crying into your keyboard at midnight.
You’ve read reviews from other salon owners who actually use it.
And please stop jumping platforms every six months. Every time you switch, you confuse your clients and train your team from scratch. Move once, and move well. 🧚♀️
Here’s the spicy part.
If you’re triggered by a company raising their prices, check your own!
When was the last time you increased your prices?
Are you charging for your time, skill, and experience, or are you too scared your clients will leave?
If that email from your software made your stomach drop, it’s probably a sign your own pricing needs attention. This isn’t just a tech rant. It’s a mirror.
They raised their prices because they had to.
You probably should too. ✨
If any salon software peeps are reading this, hi. 👋
We’re not asking for miracles. Just transparency.
Tell us why the price is going up. Give us a bit of notice.
Show us what’s new, what’s coming, and how you’re actually improving things.
And for the love of caffeine, stop hiding behind chatbots when we just want a real person to fix a real problem. ☕️
Next time that dreaded “price increase” email lands, take a breath.
Don’t spiral. Don’t start a forum war.
🧚♀️ Run your value check.
🧚♀️ Decide if the system is still worth it.
🧚♀️ If yes, awesome. It’s an investment.
🧚♀️ If no, do your homework and move with intention.
And while you’re at it, take it as your sign to review your own pricing.
Because if your software can put its prices up, so can you. 🥹
If this hit home, go listen to the full podcast episode or jump inside Beauty Business Foundations. We’ll help you get your numbers sorted, your pricing right, and your confidence unshakable.
Because you’re not just a beauty therapist.
You’re the f***ing CEO. ✨🤍
This blog was inspired by Episode 47 of the Beauty Business School Podcast featuring Kimberley Haworth and guest expert Tamara Reid from Inside Industry.