10 Things to Do Before Opening a Salon

The beauty industry is one of the most lucrative industries in the world. In fact, as countries around the world begin to loosen their covid-19 restrictions, more and more people are looking to hit up their favorite salon for some long overdue self care.

Owning a salon is a great investment for entrepreneurs looking to make a sound investment. However, opening a salon requires more than simply leasing the right location and opening the doors for clients. If you’re considering opening a salon, these 10 tips will help ensure you’re setting yourself up for success. 

Having a specialized consultant; is NOT a luxury to be acquired anymore. Consultants, such as Royal Metis, can help you immensely with the following:

• Specialized Business planning – better budget management and forecast accuracy.
• Business Operations knowledge – better Team and Financials management. 
• Up-To-Date Market trend knowledge – better customer reach. 
• Suppliers relationships – better deals on professional equipment and products.

Develop a business plan

The first step to opening any business is to develop a business plan. A clear business plan will help you establish your business objectives, and outline how you will achieve these objectives. Before you begin, take time to know your market. For example, how large is the beauty industry in your area? How many other salons will you be competing against for business? Who is your target demographic? Understanding your market will help you to effectively create a solid business plan.

Understand your financing options

Aside from personal investors, there are many options available to entrepreneurs looking to open their own salon business. 

• SMEs (Small and Medium Enterprises) Loans are great for any startup. They offer low rates and fast payback periods. However, such loans require an extensive credit history.

Know local laws and regulations

Depending on the type of salon you open and your salon location, the local and federal laws and regulations will vary. For example, a salon that strictly provides hair services will require different licenses from a salon that also offers manicures and pedicures. 

Depending on where you are located you may be required to obtain common licenses and permits to operate your salon, including:

• Salon license
• Cosmetology license(s)
• Building permit
• Sanitation
• DHA (Dubai Health Authority) requirements

Understand the costs

Before you open your salon, you need to understand how much money you will need to establish and run your business. Aside from renting or buying a space to run your business, you’ll need to consider the following items:

• Decor and furniture
• Equipment (i.e. beauty supplies, sinks, hair dryers, chairs, etc.)
• Utilities (i.e. electric, water, gas, etc.)
• Licences and permits
• Payroll
• Insurance
• And more  

Insure your salon

Insurance is a requirement for most businesses. However, even if insurance was optional, you want to make sure you protect your investment. Insurance will protect all of your salon property in the event of a fire or natural event. You can even invest in business interruption insurance, which pays your payroll and bills when a covered event, such as a natural disaster, causes your business to temporarily close.

Select a great location

Whether you are renting or buying a retail space, your location is one of the biggest expenses of your business. When it comes time to choose a location, be sure to select a space that is centrally located. This will help you build a client base from the foot traffic of other local businesses. You also want to choose a location that is easily accessible by car or public transportation. It’s also important to choose a location that is far enough away from competitors who offer the same services as your salon.

Hire capable staff

Once you’ve found the perfect location, you need to make sure you are hiring the best staff to provide your salon services. Whether it’s administrative or stylists, your staff will work directly with your clients and it’s important they provide not only exceptional salon services, but also exceptional customer service. Your staff will help to attract new clients and build the reputation of your salon. You want to make sure they are representing your brand in the best way possible.

Develop a marketing plan

Although word of mouth and foot traffic are an important way to attract new clients, you’ll need to market your salon to reach the most potential clients as possible. Social media platforms, such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter make it easy to reach hundreds (or thousands) of potential clients with a single post. 

Be sure to register your business with Google My Business so your new salon appears in the Google search results. This will allow your clients to know your hours and leave reviews to share their experience. When it comes to marketing your business, the more you can do the better!

Charge what your worth

Before you can open your doors, you need to determine how much you are going to charge for your services. Start by researching what similar services cost in your area to provide a ballpark estimate for what you should charge. You can increase these prices to reflect your experience and training, to ensure you are charging what your services are worth.

Opening a salon is an exciting time in your life and career. However, it can feel overwhelming managing all of the moving parts. At RMC (Royal Metis Consultancy) , we help professionals and entrepreneurs to develop their business. From concept creation, market analysis, and design to branding, marketing, and recruitment, we leverage our experience to help you successfully launch your business. 

Contact a member of our team to learn how we can help you.

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