The Journey from the idea of Piiq to now:
The idea for Piiq first came up around two and a half years ago so around 2016. I was invited to a workshop to talk about integrating technology into the hair industry.
Following the workshop my partners and I got together to develop Piiq. The idea was to integrate technology to support the stylist to showcase the knowledge and skill that hairdressers have as well as to enhance the client experience.
We know that most client’s don’t feel that they have ever had a consultation, however when you ask hairdressers they say they consult every client.
There was a big disconnection and I realised first and foremost that people don’t speak hair.
Words don’t suffice and words can scare people. I wanted to create something visual based that helped the hairdresser to understand the client and to help the client to feel understood.
To create a measurable consultation.
Two minutes with your client having an in depth, lifestyle, hair habits, hair history consultation.
Along with a face shape analysis and a hair analysis. As a client you get to see the analysis on the screen.
When I first encapsulated the idea of Piiq I made a small power point presentation of the process and took it around showing people on my iPad and asked them what they thought, what liked about it, what they hated about it and what they would do differently. I took it to hairdressers working behind the chair, people in all levels of corporate from sales, marketing and education. Also consumers of all ages, around 250 people.
We then developed a very basic version and began to test it outside of my bubble in a salon in New York. The software was first on a Samsung mirrored TV. It was here that we discovered some very interesting things.
Originally we had had the idea of Piiq being an app, however we then had some great feedback about the mirror along with functionality of the software. We then developed, designed and patented the hardware and then we discovered that the cable we needed to connect to the mirror didn’t exist. The type of functionality of the cable didn’t exist. So we had it made.
The three lead partners really formed this powerful unit, we all had different capabilities and back grounds.
When we went out for investment funding people were like yes this is a brilliant idea. It was a very serendipitous experience. We now have 12 partners along with the 3 original partners some of the partners are friends and friends of friends.
I want to magnify the hairdresser to the world and show them how amazing hairdressers are and break down this school dropout stigma.
“I wanted to create something that is transformational.”
How can salons find out about Piiq and what is the education process behind implementing it into the salon?
Piiq has been created to be a simple plug in and play concept. Connect to the internet and follow the set up process. It is similar to buying a laptop and setting it up for the first time.
When you sign up to Piiq you get a unique user code and that allows you access to your admin dashboard, in here you can also personalise your Piiq for your salon.
In the admin dashboard there are a library of videos of how to set up and general FAQ videos.
There are also webinar training videos with Richard to refresh salons currently using Piiq about the features and creating the ultimate consultation experience for your clients from start to finish.
Some statistics of Piiq show that one salon owner went to 48% of clients purchasing retail from using and recommending product via Piiq. The client can choose to collect products from reception or have it delivered to their home.
Countries PIIQ is currently operating in:
Australia, New Zealand and Malaysia.
There are some pilots working in The United States. By the second half of 2019 we will be officially rolling out into the US market.
There have also been requests from Norway, the Netherlands, Belgium, the UK, France, South Africa, China and Japan.
By the end of 2019 Piiq will be in all of the above countries and by 2020 Piiq plans to be in over 33 countries worldwide.
Richard’s favourite PIIQ feature:
“It’s a hard question, but I would have to say the mood board, understanding the client’s vibe and their lifestyle.” Richard.
As Mark Hayes from Sassoon says “if I want to know what suits you, tell me who you are and then I will be able to know what suits you”.
The 360 degree capture of the finished look, that’s just gold.
If a client or consumer wanted to have the Piiq experience how would they find a salon using PIIQ?
On Piiq Digital there are a list of salons where you can find PIIQ. This list is regularly updated for clients to find a salon that has the PIIQ experience.
Investment / payment plan for salons using Piiq:
The investment in Piiq works out around $6,000.00 this includes the mirror and two years’ worth of software and support. Piiq also has regular automatic updates so you are always getting the best out of your Piiq.
The more mirrors you incorporate into the salon the cheaper the individual mirror becomes.
Advice for anyone aspiring to create a hair product or service from your experience:
“Don’t think about the product, don’t think about the service, 100% think about the user”.
Think about the client, the stylist, the salon owner. For us everything we do we think, what would be the person’s experience? Is that in line with what we believe is a great experience? Is it seamless?
From the salon owner point of view, what would be their experience as they are the business owner who is paying for this service, they are coming from a different perspective.
We have never been about the product we have always been about the solution. These are the problems we want to solve, what would be the best way to solve them. It has also always been about “IMAGINE IF.”
I want hairdressers to be seen in the light they should be seen in and for clients to have a great experience.
“Don’t make it about you make it all about them.” As a hairdresser, as an Educator.