16 Tips to Build your Salon as Walmart Nail Salon

6. Establish your business legally. All that’s left to do now is to complete the paperwork needed for your salon to be recognized as a business entity. These forms should be filed with the office of the Secretary of State in your locality. When this is done, you’ll need to register for your Employee Identification Number (EIN), which will be used to identify your business and place you within the appropriate tax bracket as owner.

• Your salon can be set up as a sole proprietorship if you’re going into business for yourself, or as a general partnership or LLC (limited liability company) if you’re bringing another person in with you. Joint ownership is a great way to split labor and expenses, but it also means your profits will be shared.
• If you live in the U.S., you can apply for your EIN by filling out a form on the IRS website.

Walmart nail salon

7. Rent out a suitable space for your salon. Choose a location that strikes a balance between posh privacy and commercial convenience. The key here is visibility—you want to appeal to your core clientele, but also be noticeable to curious passersby who are wandering in off the street. Being situated near clothing stores, restaurants, and other spots that are popular with your customer base can be an advantage.

• Most successful salons are part of larger shopping centers, though some can be found in small, freestanding buildings. Go with what your instincts (and budget) dictate.
• The closer to the heart of town you establish your salon, the more walk-in business you’re likely to get.
  

  See also: Running a Successful Home Salon Business

8. Furnish your space comfortably. Among the non-negotiable items you’ll be needing are desks or standing stations for the technicians, manicure tables, reclining seats with foot rests, supply carts, and chairs for the waiting area. Once the big things are accounted for, you can begin thinking about how you’d like to spruce the place up. Incorporating accents like bohemian wall hangings and potted plants can help create a more relaxing atmosphere.

• You may have to have some contract work done to install important fixtures like restrooms, sinks, and overhead ventilation if your property doesn’t already have them.

Walmart nail salon

9. Stock up on essential supplies. Put together an itemized list of everything you’ll need to conduct business on a given day. This will include things like nail clippers, scissors, buffers, files, moisturizers, towels, and finger and toe separators. Be prepared to place repeat orders for these materials every couple of weeks, as they’ll be your bread and butter once you’re operational.

• Don’t forget about other related supplies, such as paper towels, hand soap, acetone, and reading material for the lobby.
• Contract with one or more wholesale suppliers to buy your supplies in bulk for a discounted rate.

10. Sell products to supplement your income. Few nail salons make 100% of their profit by giving manicures. There’s also a big market for specialty beauty goods, meaning you can pull double duty to maximize your revenue. By making things like nail polishes, lotions, and exfoliating tools available, you’ll give your clients the chance to take home the same products they enjoy in the salon.

• Get in touch with prominent health and beauty companies to find out how to arrange a wholesale distribution opportunity or a possible partnership.
• Set aside a boutique area separate from your main service stations where customers can browse your selection and make purchases.

Walmart nail salon

11. Market your salon to attract business. Design some eye-catching flyers for your business and post them up in your area. Distribute these ads in places that your target demographic is likely to visit, like beauty shops, spas and cafés. Make sure you include all the important details in your ads, including the name, address, and phone number of your salon, the types of services you offer, and your hours of operation.

• If you’re coming from another salon, you could also ask your former boss to put in a good word for you to help stir up interest while you’re first getting on your feet.
• When it comes to a business like a salon, the best advertisement is word of mouth—as long as you do great work, your clients will tell their friends and continue to come back again and again.
  

  Read on: Getting Your Hair Salon Business off the Ground

12. Create a presence on social media. Don’t underestimate the promotional power of social media. Facebook and Instagram make a perfect platform for showing off your work and sharing testimonials from satisfied customers. Each of your accounts should be neatly laid out and simply titled so they’ll be easy to find. Don’t forget to update them regularly with new content, like info on the services you provide and special introductory deals.

• If you’ve never moderated a business social media account before, follow other popular salons and take note of how they’ve structured their profiles.
• Get your followers involved by encourage them to send in photos of their nails after they visit.

Walmart nail salon

13. Specialize in a handful of services. Generally, it’s better to offer two or three services that you’re exceptionally skilled at than a dozen that are mediocre. That way, your clientele will know exactly what to expect coming in, and you can focus on providing the best service possible. Trying to wear too many hats can cause you to lose your identity—and business in the process.

• A salon that advertises nail art, facials, chemical exfoliation, and hot stone massage all under the same roof is enough to make a potential customer’s head spin.
• Limiting the number of services you provide will also keep you and your staff from getting overwhelmed. You can always expand your offerings over time if demand is high enough.

14. Price your services competitively. Determine how much to charge for the various treatments you’ll be providing. Applying a basic set of acrylic nails, for instance, might cost $25-40 USD, while more involved procedures like a mani/pedi package might run upwards of $100 USD. Break down the price point of each service individually to make sure you’re coming up with a number that’s fair.

• If you find yourself stumped about how high you should set your prices, think about the maximum amount you would be willing to pay as a consumer, then compare that figure against your specific operating budget and expenses.
• When you’re first starting out, it may be a good idea to keep your prices low in order to be able to compete with the better-known salons in your area. Once you’ve made a reputation for yourself, you can begin raising your prices gradually.
  

  See also: 33 Tips to Promote Barbing Salon Business

15. Hire a team of qualified technicians. No matter how industrious you are, you’ll eventually reach a point where you’ll need to have a few extra sets of hands around. In addition to the regular duties of a nail technician, your employees will also be responsible for scheduling appointments, making sales, and cleaning and maintaining the salon.

• Interview your applicants one-on-one so that you can get a sense of their personality as well as review their credentials on paper.
• Be sure to check the references of everyone applies, and try to hire employees who value customer service and really have a passion for what they’re doing.
• If you’re operating a simple salon that provides standard services only, pay your staff an hourly rate. For boutiques that also push specialty beauty products, reward them with commission for each sale they make.