In this episode of BUILDING & BREAKING, I break down Target’s trust crisis, not as a political conversation, but as a brand case study.
Why did loyal shoppers like me, who went to Target every week, walk away? What lessons can salon owners, hairstylists, creative entrepreneurs, and beauty brands learn about lifetime customer (and client) value, consistency, and the cost of making decisions that are totally off-brand?
I contrast Target’s missteps with Costco’s long-game brand clarity, sharing real-life examples of how knee-jerk decisions can break trust and shrink long-term loyalty, and lifetime client, team, and tenant (booth renter) value.
In This Episode
- Why I, a decades-long Target shopper, stopped going, and why I’m not alone
- The hidden cost of knee-jerk decisions that break trust with loyal customers (and clients)
- What Target’s inconsistency teaches us about lifetime value in both retail and salons
- How Costco’s long-game clarity contrasts Target’s missteps — and why it matters
- What happens when brands react out of fear instead of staying rooted in their brand promise
- Real-world examples of salon owners accidentally making knee-jerk, off-brand decisions, like:
- Changing client, team, or tenant Agreements based on a few negative experiences
- Client shaming social media content
- Constantly shifting brand identity in search of instant results
- Responding to online reviews before taking a pause
- Asking a team member to leave immediately after they give two-week notice
This episode is a must-listen for salon owners, hairstylists, beauty brand leaders, and creatives who want to build something that lasts.
If you want to learn more about creating your brand story and how to connect all the dots in your salon business, click here to learn more about Creating Your Awesome Brand, A Complete Course for Beauty Pros.
Thank you for listening with an open heart and mind, and sharing this episode with your business besties!