I was very softly softly. I had a home salon for many years and only rented a room because circumstances forced it. As a home salon I don't think I ever really did much training, just same old same old.
I rented in a golf club and a friend mentioned a new treatment all her friends had called shellac. I trained in shellac and really enjoyed it. While it was still just me, I took on a booking system, salon iris, and felt it really made me seem like a business. Clients really liked reminder texts etc and I started to do promos using texts. Around this time my daughter qualified as an nvq2 in beauty. We did a text promotion for her and as I sent the promo out my friend rang. We had a chat and I got off the phone and I had a message from an on/off regular wanting to book with my daughter. I suddenly thought we could go places!
I did a lot of networking at the time and met a guy who pushed and challenged me with my business. He became a mentor and helped me see the possibilities.
After alot of consideration, we moved into the small end of a barn nearly two years ago. Every penny went on growing the business and furnishing it. I got a few clients come back to me who didn't like the golf club environment. My daughters column filled up as she did her level 3.
Last May, the farmer rented the other end of the barn to a film crew for a fortnight and we realised that sharing would be tough. We either had to lease the whole premises or give notice and move.
In June this year I signed for the whole barn. It has been incredibly hard work and money has gone out hand over fist, but I have never had a bank loan. A client 'lent' me her Travis Perkins account to pay for materials. This gave me extra time to pay. I have sat wringing my hands over money more times than I care to remember.
We moved into the big end of the barn in September and our lessees moved into rent the rooms in the little end. We have complete control and all get on well.
This past weekend we have been to two local restaurants. The staff were awful and the food and atmosphere were mediocre. It made me realise that what we have that a lot of places don't have is warmth and care. We really care if our clients come back. We care if they're happy and we go out of our way to be warm and welcoming - all the time!
My advice. Don't go into this business thinking is easy, it isn't. Owning a successful business is a massive commitment. My money just gets ploughed back in for the time being and I don't have a lot to show for it. Be the very best you can be, and use the very best you can afford. Learn to retail as this can make a huge difference to your business in the lean times. I have never been as rich as I was working from home, so if you're growing your business, don't do it thinking you're going to get rich quick. The overheads are astronomical.
Having said that, our turnover has grown more than I could ever have anticipated and as we enter the new year we are going vat registered, so we're doing something right!
Vic x
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