If you have just finished beautician's school or have grown tired of working at your current salon, you might be thinking about starting your own business. Going into business for yourself has a ton of benefits, from the ability to set your own hours and company culture to the opportunity to do things your way and reach a new audience. If you have got the mind of an entrepreneur, there is no reason that you can't find success starting your own hair salon.
However, there are certain things that you will want to get in order before you start accepting customers. Here are 4 main things to keep in mind as you work to launch your own salon.
Come Up With A Great Brand Idea
It is important to come up with a brand for your salon that sets you apart from others. Not only does this help you reduce some competition, but it also can serve as a signal to others that you are interested in their demographic instead of anyone and everyone who will walk through your doors. Think about a haircut chain like Sports Clips. Whether or not you agree with their branding and marketing strategy, it's clear that they are working hard to appeal to men who want a simple cut and the big game on a big TV. This helps differentiate them from other barbershops and has built them a loyal following.
Incorporate Your Business
Once you've come up with a name, logo, and brand, you'll need the file the necessary paperwork to be able to operate. Different localities have different requirements when it comes to the sorts of licenses and paperwork you'll need to file; however, the Small Business Association is a great resource for getting started. You will also want to set up a separate bank account to be used strictly for your business. This will make filing your taxes easier, and make it much more simple when it comes to tracking your income and expenses since they will all be in a separate account. You must also get some sort of insurance coverage for your beauty salon to protect it financially.
Get The Equipment You Need To Succeed
It doesn't matter how much talent or business savvy you have; if you don't have the right gear there's no way you'll be able to do great work. That comes down to the products you use in customers' hairs, having the right clippers, scissors, and shears, and even have a point-of-sale terminal. You'll also want to make sure to purchase a salon chair and a full-length mirror with lights so that you and your customers can see what you're doing.
Come Up With A Great Brand Idea
It is important to come up with a brand for your salon that sets you apart from others. Not only does this help you reduce some competition, but it also can serve as a signal to others that you are interested in their demographic instead of anyone and everyone who will walk through your doors. Think about a haircut chain like Sports Clips. Whether or not you agree with their branding and marketing strategy, it's clear that they are working hard to appeal to men who want a simple cut and the big game on a big TV. This helps differentiate them from other barbershops and has built them a loyal following.
Incorporate Your Business
Once you've come up with a name, logo, and brand, you'll need the file the necessary paperwork to be able to operate. Different localities have different requirements when it comes to the sorts of licenses and paperwork you'll need to file; however, the Small Business Association is a great resource for getting started. You will also want to set up a separate bank account to be used strictly for your business. This will make filing your taxes easier, and make it much more simple when it comes to tracking your income and expenses since they will all be in a separate account. You must also get some sort of insurance coverage for your beauty salon to protect it financially.
Get The Equipment You Need To Succeed
It doesn't matter how much talent or business savvy you have; if you don't have the right gear there's no way you'll be able to do great work. That comes down to the products you use in customers' hairs, having the right clippers, scissors, and shears, and even have a point-of-sale terminal. You'll also want to make sure to purchase a salon chair and a full-length mirror with lights so that you and your customers can see what you're doing.
One of the best and most trusted brands in the salon industry is Keller, so that is a good place to start if you aren't sure where to look when sourcing your salon furniture, especially if you do manicures or pedicures for customers. Even if you have to cover some of these operating costs with a small business loan, it can absolutely be worth it if you want to be taken seriously and compete with other professionals in your area.
Have A Backup Plan
Every business should have a backup plan in case something bad happens that negatively affects your ability to do business. One of the most common scenarios a salon might run into is losing power, either due to a blown fuse from too many electric devices or a storm. Power outages don't often last long, but if you aren't able to keep your equipment up and running you may have to close down if you don't have a way of dealing with the lack of electricity.
This is why many businesses invest in diesel generators to serve as backups during emergencies. These sorts of generators can automatically route power to themselves if something goes wrong with your breaker box, saving you from having to close shop early or turn away customers who've already scheduled appointments with you.
Have A Backup Plan
Every business should have a backup plan in case something bad happens that negatively affects your ability to do business. One of the most common scenarios a salon might run into is losing power, either due to a blown fuse from too many electric devices or a storm. Power outages don't often last long, but if you aren't able to keep your equipment up and running you may have to close down if you don't have a way of dealing with the lack of electricity.
This is why many businesses invest in diesel generators to serve as backups during emergencies. These sorts of generators can automatically route power to themselves if something goes wrong with your breaker box, saving you from having to close shop early or turn away customers who've already scheduled appointments with you.
