BusinessHABSmartstyle hair salon: Starting a home salon involves attention to detail, but there are plenty of perks. You’ll be your own boss, and working from home is convenient, creates an intimate atmosphere for clients, and lowers your expenses. Start by registering your business, purchasing insurance, and obtaining permits. Acquire equipment and products, and arrange the space so it’s functional and comfortable. It might take time to gain clients, so offer a range of services to broaden your customer base. With a little hustle, you can grow a successful business from the comfort of your own home.
- You could name your salon after yourself, reference your neighborhood in the name, or name it after things you like. For instance, if you love camellias, you could name your salon Camellia Beauty.
- Keep in mind there are limits on what you can choose for a business name. For instance, a name might not be available or your state might prohibit some words.
- Consult an attorney or accountant to choose the best legal structure. A limited liability company (LLC) is the best choice for many small business owners, as your assets are protected in the event that your business faces a lawsuit or bankruptcy.
Smartstyle hair salon
- It typically takes between 9 and 12 months to complete a cosmetology program. Specialist programs, such as nails, usually take 6 months.
- Other requirements might include a business owner’s insurance policy (which covers general liability and commercial property), general business license, home occupation permit, sign permit, and health and safety permits.
- Search online for “cosmetology board” and your state or province. Your local board’s website will provide information about how to legally operate a home salon.
Smartstyle hair salon
- You could apply for a business loan from your bank, open a line of credit, or find a silent partner to finance renovations and other opening expenses.
- If you don’t own your home, you’ll need to get permission to operate a business and make any necessary renovations from your landlord.
Set up a wet station. A wet station is a large ceramic sink for shampooing and conditioning clients’ hair. Some customers expect a wash to be included with a cut, and access to water is essential if you offer additional services, such as coloring.
- While an ordinary sink or tub might work, you’ll have a better shot at gaining customer loyalty if you have a professional salon sink.
Smartstyle hair salon
- Additionally, large mirrors, comfortable chairs or a bench for reception, and shelving for equipment storage and retail display are all must-haves.
- Look for brand name hair products that your clients will be familiar with and trust. You can buy hair products at a beauty supply store or online.
- If you’ll offer hair coloring and extensions, you’ll need to stock up on products for these services as well.
Smartstyle hair salon
- Update your social media profiles daily to engage your customers. When you’re just starting out, ask your friends, family, and other members of your social network to like your page.
- With your clients’ consent, post before and after pictures on Facebook and Instagram. Encourage them to mention you on social media and to use your business’s hashtags.
Smartstyle hair salon
Price your services competitively. Base your prices on your overhead costs, what your competitors charge, and on your location’s median income level. Add up your operating expenses (including products, equipment, mortgage or rent, and utilities), taxes, costs to maintain permits and licenses, and any outstanding loans. Figure out how much money you need to make to cover these costs and maintain a profit margin of at least 10 to 20 percent.
- For example, if you want to make $52,000 per year to maintain a 15 percent profit margin, you need to make $1,000 per week. If $80 for a women’s cut and $40 for a men’s cut are reasonable prices in your area, you’ll need to book enough appointments at these rates to meet your weekly quota.
- While reasonable prices and discounts can build your client base, you need to charge enough to cover your overhead and generate profit. If you undersell your services or offer too many discounts, your profits could take a hit.
- You might focus on cutting and styling a particular gender or hair type. Factor in your local customers’ needs and, if necessary, broaden your skills so you can build a larger customer base.
Smartstyle hair salon
Include coloring and extensions to broaden your clientele. Hair coloring and extensions can add variety and help you book more appointments. You’ll need to maintain an inventory of all necessary materials, which you can purchase at beauty supply stores. Keep in mind that your local jurisdiction might regulate the use of chemicals or require additional permits.
- For instance, in the UK, hairdressers must administer a patch allergy test before coloring a client’s hair.
- You may start with basic services first, then see if adding other services like facials, make up, and waxing make sense for your home business. They may be good options if you are not getting as many hair clients as you’d like or if you’d like to try out different skills on your clients.
- Most retailers use a 50 percent markup. If you purchased a product wholesale at $7, sell it for $14.
Smartstyle hair salon
- If you use a POS (point of sale) program, it might have the ability to track how much individual customers spend.
- If not, you could create a quick spreadsheet that tracks customer spending. List customers in the first column, enter their purchases into the next columns, and total their spending in the last column.
- Offer a perk when they reach a milestone, such 10 percent off their next cut when they spend $100.
- Make the exchange memorable by adding a personal touch. For instance, suppose your business card lists your salon’s landline phone number. If you’re comfortable using your cell phone for work, hand write your cell phone number on the card. Your customer will feel like a VIP and will be more likely to remember receiving your card.
Smartstyle hair salon
Join a professional organization for salon owners. Search online for “professional beauty association” in your city, state, or province. Becoming a member can offer access to professional development, guidance, support, and allows owners to feel more comfortable knowing that there are other owners just like them. You can also network and meet other salon owners through these organizations.
- Some professional organizations charge a fee upfront or on a yearly basis to join. For Professional Beauty Association, the largest professional organization, emerging business membership fees are $175 per year. The emerging business membership level is recommended for companies with 1 to 5 employees and gross annual sales less than $100,000.
Smartstyle hair salon
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- When you expand your space, you should also start thinking about hiring additional staff.
Hire employees or rent out chairs. Depending on your volume, you could hire someone to handle specific jobs, such as facials and waxing, or add a full-time employee who can perform all services. You could also rent out a chair, which is when a hairdresser with their own client base pays you to use your space.
- If you hire employees, you’ll need to pay them an hourly wage or a commission, file tax and identification paperwork, purchase additional liability insurance, and meet other national and local requirements. If you rent out a chair, you’ll just need to set up a contract with your lessee.
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