The forgotten sense of smell

The sense of smell is the most powerful of all of our senses and it also happens to be the sense that's most overrated and forgotten. 

I remember the time I finally persuaded my boyfriend into going to a nail salon with me.  Within split seconds of entering, he had to step back out immediately.  The smell of nail polish, acryllics and chemicals did not bother me so much because I was so used to it.  Poor Will, it was just too much for him. 

I read in Buy-ology by Martin Lindstrom, that restaurants and retails stores are using scents to get people to buy more things.  That perfectly explains the overwhelming smell of cologne even before you enter stores like Abercrombie and Hollister.  What you smell is signaled directly to your brain and it has the ability to transport you to settings of forgotten memories. 

Have you ever thought about what it might be like for your clients to step into your salon for the first time?  Perhaps you are so used to the scent of your beauty parlor that it no longer registers to you?  I'm sure your clients can sniff out excess chemicals and hair spray right away.  The scent she smells from the moment your client walks in may also determine whether she will come back again.  You decorate your salon for your client's visual pleasure.  You ask her if the water is too hot because you're considerate to her sense of feel.  Now you might want to consider how you smell...