Soon, when blow-drying hair and your phone rings, Eva, your virtual assistant, will quickly pick up. She will greet the client by name. She knows the service and date of their last appointment, how much they paid, and any upcoming appointments.
She asks if this is so-and-so and confirms it with the last four digits of their social security number. Eva politely asks what the client is calling about. The client wants to change her appointment date, and Eva offers choices until the caller is happy.
The next caller says, "My ends turned brassy. Do I need to advise Carlos to book extra time, or is there something I can use at home?" "That's above my pay grade," the Eva jokes. "Want to leave those details on Carlos' voicemail, and he will call you by the end of the day?" The caller agrees, and the lovely lady says, "Transferring, now. Call me back for anything else. Goodbye, for now," and she disconnects.
CLIENTS LOVE THE CONVENIENCE OF AI
Eva, the name you chose for your personal AI chatbot, is coming to a salon near you sooner than you think. Surveys indicate clients love Eva. It would take several calls to speak with you live or be on voice mail hold forever. Lovely Eva is quick, effective, and picks up on the second ring.
Soon, what’s happening in big business will impact you behind the chair. Everything will be represented by a version of a conversational interface— a personal AI with perfect IQ plus exceptional EQ; it will manage your preferences and be kind, supportive, and empathetic. Think about it this way: AI will become your digital companion—your dream boyfriend or girlfriend, a partner in your life journey.
Imagine every hairdresser with a personal companion in their pocket with access to free medical advice, a lawyer, a life coach, and a mentor who advises you on what to do in any salon situation. At the close of the workday, it will total your earnings, subtract your costs, tell you how much money you really made, and recommend the best use of those earnings.
AI will never replace your creativity nor impart the feeling of tacit support you offer your clients. But it can help you live better by being there when needed. Perhaps the greatest benefit is streamlining tasks and providing the space to focus on your craft. Suddenly, you are doing your best hair ever.
ABOUT THE (VERY HUMAN) AUTHOR: Carlos Valenzuela, a veteran salon professional and advocate of positivity, is the author of Magical Thinking in Hairdressing and the award-winning Letters to Young Carlos. His impactful social media presence reflects decades of wisdom, bridging cultural and lifestyle divides. Explore more at https://carlosvalenzuela.online. Read more of Carlos's blogs for MODERN SALON.