NEWCOLUMNIST

Rich REWARDS

WHY AI HAS A PLACE IN THE BEAUTY INDUSTRY

Discover smarter ways to run a beauty business with RICHARD MCCABE, lifestyle salon coach

ABOUT RICHARD MCCABE Richard McCabe is a salon owner turned coach, dedicated to transforming time-poor business owners into confident, profitable leaders. After building successful salons in the UK and Australia, he began sharing the systems that supported this growth. This evolved into the launch of his brand, Lifestyle Salon Coach. More recently, Richard created SAAM (Salon AI Automated Management Machine), ‘a digital manager for salons’. Richard splits his time between coaching, speaking, developing salon technology and running his businesses. His mission is to give every salon owner the tools, confidence and freedom to build businesses they love – without burnout.

F or years, artificial intelligence felt miles away from the salon world. AI was for tech companies, gadgets and factory robots – not salons. But things have changed, and fast.

AI has become one of the most practical, time-saving and stress-reducing tools in the beauty industry. It doesn’t replace the personal touch, but rather protects it, and provides what every salon owner needs: more time, less admin and a smoother, more consistent client experience. Let’s explore AI’s benefits in the beauty sector...

Smarter content with less effort

Let’s be honest, regularly writing social media captions, newsletters and blogs can feel like climbing a mountain with no peak. However, AI takes away ‘blank page panic’. Give it a rough idea, a couple of bullet points or even a half-finished thought, and it will create something polished in seconds. AI doesn’t replace your voice; it amplifies it, keeping you visible online without burning you out.

A 24/7 front of house employee

AI website assistants can be compared to receptionists who never sleep. They answer questions instantly, guide clients to suitable services, send booking links, explain policies and cut down 80% of repetitive messages. If a client is browsing your site at 11pm, they receive an answer immediately – rather than when you begin work the next day.

Support for your team

Imagine your salon handbook, treatment steps, protocols and policies being stored inside a smart assistant that answers anything your team asks. Whether they want to know ‘what’s our builder gel service prep process?’ or ‘how should I respond to a cancellation message?’, AI replies with wording that aligns with your business. This means greater consistency, and fewer mistakes and interruptions.

Help with communication

Admin drains more working hours than most people realise.

AI can draft replies to common questions, keep your tone of voice consistent and give clients fast answers – without the need for you to be glued to your inbox. You stay in control, but the heavy lifting isn’t on your shoulders.

Reviews become real marketing

AI can respond to Google reviews the moment they are posted, and select the best ones to create testimonial posts for social media. Instead of letting great feedback go unused, AI turns it into fresh content that builds trust.

In my three salons, AI works quietly in the background. AI receptionists answer calls, send booking links and manage FAQs; my website and social media queries are replied to instantly, and every review receives a response, with the best ones turned into marketing posts. Artificial intelligence hasn’t replaced my team; it has meant they can spend more time with clients and less time buried in admin.

AI isn’t the future – it’s already here, and the salons using it are working smarter, not harder. Just remember: AI doesn’t replace your artistry; it protects it, and it doesn’t need to overhaul everything you have in place. Start small and feel the difference.

lifestylesaloncoach.org/homepage

/LifestyleSalonCoach

@lifestyle_salon_coach