For many people, opening a hair salon is the beginning of a dream come true.
Where else can you improve someone’s self-confidence and lifestyle while discussing the latest trends and letting your artistic eye roam free?
Furthermore, it’s a nearly recession-proof business, with many people treating themselves to new hair cuts and colors no matter what the economy looks like.
Unfortunately, this also makes it one of the most competitive industries around, requiring a strong business plan to stand out and achieve success.
What to Consider Before Opening a Hair Salon
1. Create a business plan for your salon
Before you ever hire the first employee or create a social media account, you need to have a solid business plan in place. Draft it with the help a business consultant to give you the best chance of acquiring loans and securing a retail location.
2. Stand out from the competition
How can you set yourself apart from the other salons in the area, and does your business style suit your target demographic? Much like dressing for the job you want, rather than the job you have, you want your business to attract the clientele you want to see walking through the door. The trick is doing it in a way that sets your business apart from “the same old thing.”
3. Develop a strong client base
Every business has debt when it first opens, whether it's loans or rent. Developing a strong client base before the business opens is an ideal way to start the business off strong. Advertising starts as soon as you settle on a location and have all your paperwork in order, even if you haven’t furnished the building yet.
4. Choose a great location
A great location with easy accessibility and high visibility will help your salon thrive. It can especially help your hair salon if it is in areas with high foot traffic or other businesses, as your clientele may treat themselves to a cut and color if they are already out running errands.
5. Treat your staff exceptionally well
Your clients will return time and time again if the skill and sociability of your staff are the right fit for their needs.
This means that your staff are the most valuable part of your business and treating them exceptionally well is the key to sustainable success. Your staff embodies the business’ success.
Other Considerations to Make Before Opening Your Salon
It takes more than just a good business attitude to run a salon successfully. You will also need to market the salon. Even once customers are pouring through the door, consider your next advertising campaign to keep them coming in.
Before those doors open, however, make sure that your salon is covered by insurance. Not only is this a requirement in some states, but it can help provide you with a level of assurance and credibility that keeps your business legitimate and out of trouble.
Once you have your paperwork in order, be sure to have a bookkeeper or accountant on hand to take care of the small details for you. There are a lot of startup costs that are associated with running a business, and it can quickly get out of hand.
Lastly, be diligent with who you hire, and be careful not to scale too quickly. Good, trustworthy employees are worth every penny to help you keep your business running, but hiring more than what your business can sustain is a quick way to crumble the empire.
The bottom line is, so long as you follow these tips and plan ahead, you’re more likely to have success in the salon and beauty business. If you plan on opening a Nashville hair salon, follow these tips, stay positive, and keep moving forward!
