Did you enjoy getting your hair done or watching your sister do it as a child? Maybe you enjoy dressing up your friends for parties and other special occasions? Most importantly, have you always dreamed of opening your own salon? With the following description plus your dedication and passion, start planning to open your own salon.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Building a Shop
Step 1. Find out the amount of money you need
Starting a business can be expensive, and most entrepreneurs don't make a profit in the first year or two. Here are some things to consider:
- Can you support yourself while building and running a business? Calculate how much money you need to pay monthly fees, how much money you save, and how much you need to make per month to survive.
- Determine the operating budget. Calculate the amount of money you need to run the business each month. This includes rent, permits, training, salaries, equipment, and emergency funds.
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Calculate the price charged for the service. Once you have an operating budget, you know how much money is needed for a break-even. However, to make a profit you have to achieve more than just a return on investment. Estimate the number of services (such as haircuts, hair dye, nail care, etc.) you might perform in a week and calculate how many services you would have to perform to make money.
- Keep in mind that even if you have to charge a profit-making price, you can't set the price too high, or you won't get customers. Try to set a price that is reasonable for the customer and profitable for you.
- Take a look at prices from other salons. Compare prices with similar salons around you and take note of their prices. Your price should be more or less the same as theirs.
- Do you need a small business loan? Make an appointment with a credit officer at the nearest bank, and ask the clerk to explain the process for getting a small business loan. In advance, write a summary of how you will make your salon profitable, whether because you offer a unique service or because there aren't many salons in your area.
- Think of ways to pay taxes. Small business taxes are different from personal taxes, so make sure you know what you need from now on. To save time and avoid trouble, check with a certified public accountant.
Step 2. Manage all permissions
Unfortunately, running a business means dealing with bureaucracy and documentation. Here are the things you need to take care of:
- Get a business license. All businesses in Indonesia must have a permit.
- In the United States, all beauty workers must be certified. This includes cutting or dyeing hair, coloring nails, hair removal, and make-up. The regulations differ in each part of the country, so contact the competent authority in your area.
- Make sure your salon passes a health inspection. To avoid fines or (worse) closure by the health department, make sure your salon is clean and follow the guidelines your state provides. For an example of requirements, check the salon requirements in New York.
Step 3. Choose the right location
Location is critical to the success of your business. Consider some of these factors:
- Select an area of heavy traffic. A busy street, a shopping center, or a place next to a frequently visited location (such as a grocery store) are ideal locations.
- Ensure easy access. If it's hard to find a parking space and the roads are congested to your salon, people may be reluctant to come.
- Avoid competition. Don't position your salon right next to another salon; You will have a hard time getting customers. Instead, find a location that makes your salon the only salon for a few blocks.
Step 4. Hire qualified and trained personnel
Cosmetology procedures performed by untrained personnel can endanger the health of customers. It is important that you only hire qualified and well-trained beauticians, hairdressers and other employees.
- Remember, it is your responsibility to ensure that your employees are properly trained and understand every procedure offered.
- Experience can make a beautician adept at providing treatments, but without sufficient training, he or she is less aware of the strengths and weaknesses of the procedure.
- Prepare a brief but clear salon procedure manual as soon as possible, and give each employee a contract when they start work. These documents are usually easy to find on the internet and you can customize them to suit your business. This will make it easier for you in the long run if you are prepared from the start.
Method 2 of 2: Welcoming Customers
Step 1. Create a clean and safe environment
Salons need a clean, safe, and relaxing environment, where customers can receive fast and professional service.
- Cleanliness is a very important element that can attract customers to come again and again. Make sure towels, foot washers, and other equipment are washed, clean, and odor-free.
- Keep your equipment nice and tidy. Your customers must be able to trust that the products and tools you use for them are of good quality and safe. You can't put your customers at risk of infection because doing so could damage your reputation.
- Create a relaxed atmosphere. Play quiet music, use soft lighting, and reduce noisy conversations between employees.
Step 2. Offer a comprehensive service (optional)
This can give you a big advantage over a salon that only offers one or two types of services. Many customers choose to have their hair, nail and facial treatments done in one place instead of having to go to three different places.
You can become an expert in one key area (e.g. hair) while providing your customers with a one-stop beauty shop so that your business stands out from the competition
Step 3. Always satisfy your customers
It is very important that your business is to create and maintain a reputation as a good salon, so that customers return to your salon for treatments. Try to give them the best possible experience at all times and make sure you make them feel valued.
- The best marketing tool for a salon is word of mouth. If the customer is happy with the result, he will return to your salon; however this is about trust. Satisfied customers can help market your business to their friends, family and acquaintances. Word can quickly spread about the great looks and exceptional personal service your salon provides.
- Collect your customers' contact information such as email addresses or cell phone numbers, and if you have a computerized system, you can easily send messages or emails about new products/services, and special offers.
Tips
- This is a beauty business; You are expected to look your best! Include what you expect as a standard of appearance for all staff in the procedure manual and set yourself a good example.
- Why not hold a store opening event?
- Consider giving your employees regular practice classes to develop their product knowledge and skills and knowledge of trends.
- At first you may not be able to provide large salaries to staff, but there are many things you can do to create a pleasant atmosphere. It is natural to determine the time off and the application of additional days off, For example, staff can take time off and pay for it during busy times. Hold a get-together with employees every two or three months; pizza and sodas are inexpensive but create a team bond. Introduce the commission system to staff so that they are motivated to get more customers. Create a pay and vacation system so that staff are paid on time and the holiday schedule is kept up to date so that staff can check their time off. These are all small things but mean a lot to the staff.
- Create monthly contests between employees and award prizes ranging from free products to paid holidays to annual contests that offer winners a free vacation.
- Buy good equipment and hire reliable employees to work in your salon.
Warning
- You need to know what you and your business will be liable for as a result of accidents and procedural negligence (from rashes from improper waxing to damaged hair). Check with your insurance company for policies that can protect you and your business from liability and lawsuits that can arise from customer complaints.
- Have a guide manual, a good salary system, contracts for staff, and make sure you follow the latest rules regarding your business. If you store your documents neatly, it will be easier to deal with disputes if they occur.
