The right furniture is an important part of starting a salon.
Starting a salon can be a challenge. It requires financing, a good location, licenses and equipment to begin. The salon business can be a lucrative venture, if the proper steps are taken when starting. Providing a plan and having at least one secure funding source will help ensure that the salon works well. Implementing a 21st-century approach to the salon business, like software to organize things, increases the productivity of the operation. Hiring the right staff and creating the best environment possible are part of the recipe for starting a salon strategically.
Instructions
1. Create a salon business plan. Unlike franchises, when you start a salon yourself, you must complete the research. Use it as a blueprint for what to expect during the initial start-up process. Design the mission statement and vision based on the details within the reference section. Choose a name and confirm that it is available using the Internet. Check with your state's division of corporations. Purchase a website domain based on the name. It can be used for marketing and business cards to gain customers.
2. Decide finance the salon operation. It can cost about $100,000 to start a full-service salon. Depending on the circumstances, it may take more when employees are included. To seek outside funding, go to personal resources (i.e., savings) and loans. Peer-to-peer lending sites and the Small Business Administration (SBA) bank-backed loans are available for experienced entrepreneurs with a proven track record of business success. The business plan provides further insight to the financing information.
3. Select the location of the salon. Negotiate the price for the lease or purchase. Complete research and inspect the property for damage before. Determine what will be offered at this salon. Different licenses and equipment are needed depending on what the salon offers. For example, hair care, facials and nail care require different licenses.
4. Obtain all the credentials to legally operate. For example, a state cosmetology license is required. Obtain licenses and any permits required for the state. Health and fire departments require inspections to determine if there are facility code violations. Business licenses, like the certificate of use, may call for a physical inspection as well. Inspections will be part of the process and once you have the location, it is prudent to start setting up early to operate legally. Typically, this is done three months or earlier to the opening date.
5. Determine if you should buy or lease equipment and fixtures. It may be smart to buy so you can benefit from depreciation for accounting purposes. Refer to your accountant or software to figure the best move financially.
6. Set the decor of the salon. For example, it can be brightly decorated to give a sense of energy. Pick furniture based on the decor idea, and place art work that adds to the theme. Select multifunctional furniture when possible to conserve space. Customers must feel welcomed and comfortable while getting pampered.
7. Choose the salon software, marketing strategy and products. There are various kinds of software that help salons avoid overbooking customers and organizing. To find the best one, research online and see what is standard for the industry. The marketing strategy may be part of the software with direct messages techniques, like texting. It starts around $100 per month. Products may be found at trade shows or online.
8. Hire the staff, which can be recruited from beauty schools and either be paid hourly or rent your chair. Renting chair space means that the worker will owe a certain amount every month for use of the space.
Tags: salon business, business plan, licenses equipment, marketing strategy, starting salon