Advise please

[Max]

Hi all
I have just moved to a new area and after having my own small salon I really want to set up again..
I have found the perfect place in town next to weatherspoons (pub) My sister is going to be a joint partener with me to keep costs down. She will be doing sunbeds while I do Nails and Beauty.. There is no other sunbed or Creative nails in town so Im sure it will work.. However my mum heard yesterday that a very run down shop thats empty about 5 shops down from me are going to open up a sunbed and possible nails..
So my question is would you all still go ahead and open up??????
My concern is that its going to cost a lot of money to get opened and its a 6 year lease. I do belive competion is good for us as it makes you keep up to date and always do your best.. But 5 shops down is a bit close, I think i should be open before them as theres is so run down it needs more work. what would you all do any advise or ideas would be great, think i just have cold feet many thanks Caren

 

[mum]

Hi Max

Competition is good! They have probably heard about you and are having the same worries.

The most important thing is to be the best. You also need to have a very clear idea of where you are going to pitch your business. Personally, I don't believe trying to be all things to all people works (or, in another description, covering all options) I believe in being a specialist and being the best is the way to go.

From a price point of view, slightly more or slightly less both have bonuses. They are different approaches. If you believe you are the best and offer the best service, slightly more is good (people believe that you get what you pay for) If you want to be really competitive then slightly less can work as clients like to think you're not greedy!!! You need to decide and stick with your decision come what may.

Aim high and plan to fight off any competition

Good luck

 

[Max]

Hi Max

Competition is good! They have probably heard about you and are having the same worries.

The most important thing is to be the best. You also need to have a very clear idea of where you are going to pitch your business. Personally, I don't believe trying to be all things to all people works (or, in another description, covering all options) I believe in being a specialist and being the best is the way to go.

From a price point of view, slightly more or slightly less both have bonuses. They are different approaches. If you believe you are the best and offer the best service, slightly more is good (people believe that you get what you pay for) If you want to be really competitive then slightly less can work as clients like to think you're not greedy!!! You need to decide and stick with your decision come what may.

Aim high and plan to fight off any competition

Good luck

Thank you very much Marian
I Have decided to go ahead with the salon, There are very few creative techs here and not many people have even heard of it, those who have just think its great. Also the clients that i have had, all say I will give you a ring in the week when i break a nail and can I book for 2 weeks time. The good thing is I have not had any calls for breaks and there 2 week appoitment was not really nessasary I do usualy do 3 week appoitments unless its a nail biter, so there more than happy. So hopefully I will do ok
thanks again for the advise
best wishes Caren

 

[Nailsinlondon1]

Hi babe,
Glad you are going ahead..............
Competition is good for the consumer but also good for us...........It gives them the choice to choose the best salon, with the best skilled service and it makes us as the Technicians strive to give our best.... Two Salon near each other has it's plus points, it raises public awareness to NAILS NAILS NAILS..... I have had Salons near me , spitting distance and we networked.....I have never had a hostile situation going on, we are all there to do a fab job and to be honest it was great to have a natter with my so to speak competition lol.........
Sadly the investors on both salon occasions pulled out before the new salons even stood a chance to get established...... and I do miss the girls........but still am in contact with one of them........
So go and do your best and always keep one step ahead, education, skill wise,customer care wise and why not start doing some Nail Competitions....... This will raise your skill level but also when you get that podium place , the trophy on display is a real magnet xxxx
Also maybe a re-negotiation on the leasing terms might ease your mind a little

Good luck go and get em xxx

 

[k8tie]

Defo made the right decision hun. Competition is a good thing and never be affraid of it!! I went into business with a beauty and holistic centre 2wks ago and I was wary at first cos I knew that there were approx 5 other salons withing a 3mile radius- might sound alot but it's quite a rural area. However I have been really busy, and it's amazing how many new clients have said how awful their experiences have been at other let's say 'less qualified' salons have been, and they have all said how pleased they are when they have left me.

My biggest 'wow' however was that a client said to me yesterday she had had to travel to Chester to have gel nails done last year for her wedding and was so plaesed that I was doing Brisa Gel. It got me thinking and I realised that after all the research I had done on L&P pricing around mt area I had never even noticed that none of the salons provided gel enhancements so I have found a niche!!!

What I am trying to say is keep your satndards high and the clients will know who to go to. Dont throw yourself in at the deep end and go on every course you can think of that you havnt already done, wait and see what the other place does and doesnt offer and go from there. People always like to try something others dont offer, and have an opening day with a free drink that will defo get the punters in!!!

Good luck

 

[Max]

Defo made the right decision hun. Competition is a good thing and never be affraid of it!! I went into business with a beauty and holistic centre 2wks ago and I was wary at first cos I knew that there were approx 5 other salons withing a 3mile radius- might sound alot but it's quite a rural area. However I have been really busy, and it's amazing how many new clients have said how awful their experiences have been at other let's say 'less qualified' salons have been, and they have all said how pleased they are when they have left me.

My biggest 'wow' however was that a client said to me yesterday she had had to travel to Chester to have gel nails done last year for her wedding and was so plaesed that I was doing Brisa Gel. It got me thinking and I realised that after all the research I had done on L&P pricing around mt area I had never even noticed that none of the salons provided gel enhancements so I have found a niche!!!

What I am trying to say is keep your satndards high and the clients will know who to go to. Dont throw yourself in at the deep end and go on every course you can think of that you havnt already done, wait and see what the other place does and doesnt offer and go from there. People always like to try something others dont offer, and have an opening day with a free drink that will defo get the punters in!!!

Good luck

Thanks very much for your advise i feel much better about it know.
I have noticed Katie that no one here does the Brisa Gel either so i think i will offer that, I done my conversion last year on Brisa.
Ruth I have been thinking about entering a comp so maybe this year I will just do it...
I will also take your advise Ruth on being friends with the competion im sure there is enough work for us all. I will keep you posted Im hoping to get the keys by the end of the week
many thanks
Caren

 

[mum]

Hi Caren

Good luck with your new venture. You'll get out what you put in so give it all you've got

Maybe one little incentive is that my reply to you attracted some negative reputation points. The only person who thinks it deserved those is probably your competition so I think you may be in with a good chance if you make your mind up to be the best!

Go for it

 

[Just Jo]

Wow Marian! Why on earth would someone have given you negative rep for that? You gave good solid advice in my opinion.
Folks ... cant please 'em all eh?

Jo xx :hug:

 

[grantygeek]

Thanks very much for your advise i feel much better about it know.
I have noticed Katie that no one here does the Brisa Gel either so i think i will offer that, I done my conversion last year on Brisa.
Ruth I have been thinking about entering a comp so maybe this year I will just do it...
I will also take your advise Ruth on being friends with the competion im sure there is enough work for us all. I will keep you posted Im hoping to get the keys by the end of the week
many thanks
Caren

Hi Caren,

I've just been reading this thread, and I couldn't resist sending you a message. You certainly sound determined to make your salon a success and I'm sure with the attention you are already giving to planning, then your competition will be treading in your wake! A lot of salon owners fail to devote enough time to planning and really miss out as a result!

If I could give you any advice as a new salon owner it would be to attend a Reality Means Retail course at your local Creative Nail Academy (they offer the course at the Birmingham CNA). The course will run you through all of the processes that are important to effective retailing. By attending this course and then incorporating some of these tips into your practice, you will instantly secure more profit for your business. For eg did you know that if just 5 of your clients took a 1/4 oz bottle of SolarOil home with them today you'd be earning £27.50, £27.50 per day for six days equals £165 per week. The course will also talk you through branding methods and effective ways in which to market your salon.

I honestly believe that these extra tips (from the experts) could put you so far ahead of the game, that you won't need to worry about any competition. If you need to call the CNA head office for further info the no is 0113 2750433.

Thanks,
David

 

[RedAdmiral]

In the Solarium I recently left we were a couple of doors away from The Tanning Shop. Unfortunetly they bad mouthed us, had the place in very shabby conditions ( the sign says he tanni hop ), had snooty girls behind the counter and didnt know much about marketing (stealing our promotions was abit silly)
This reflected on them badly and made our business soar. Our shop is unisex and people liked the clean, friendly professional experience they got. We were always more expensive than them and for the town that we're in its a push! We have doubled our clientele this march and the other shop nearly went out of business twice!
They also couldnt do nails for toffee which was great for me!!!

Make sure you have a game plan and a back up plan, we had a very, very slow start to the year but look at us now. I was in last night and there were 16 people waiting for 5 sunbeds!

Vannessa
p.s this is no reflection on the Tanning shop chain as this chain is franchised so people can do whatever they like under the brand name 'he tannin hop'! - no offence meant.

 

[Max]

In the Solarium I recently left we were a couple of doors away from The Tanning Shop. Unfortunetly they bad mouthed us, had the place in very shabby conditions ( the sign says he tanni hop ), had snooty girls behind the counter and didnt know much about marketing (stealing our promotions was abit silly)
This reflected on them badly and made our business soar. Our shop is unisex and people liked the clean, friendly professional experience they got. We were always more expensive than them and for the town that we're in its a push! We have doubled our clientele this march and the other shop nearly went out of business twice!
They also couldnt do nails for toffee which was great for me!!!

Make sure you have a game plan and a back up plan, we had a very, very slow start to the year but look at us now. I was in last night and there were 16 people waiting for 5 sunbeds!

Vannessa
p.s this is no reflection on the Tanning shop chain as this chain is franchised so people can do whatever they like under the brand name 'he tannin hop'! - no offence meant.[/QUOTE
Thanks so much guys for all your Positive replys
Sorry you got a negative rep point marian you gave me sound advise there.
I am going to take on this salon and give 110%.
David thanks for the advise on Retail thats one thing that im just not very good at so doing the reatail course is a fab idea. I will ring creative tomorom.
Thanks again guys I will let you all know my progres
Best wishes Caren

 

[cuticles]

Good luck - go it for it Caren - you seem to have the passion and understanding to make your business a success.

Cathy

 

[jussy]

I suggest you go for it.
Just make sure your better! Cleanliness is the first thing that strikes anyone when finding a place and reccomendation is important too! Besides the other people arn't or may not be Creative! I would find all you can on Creative write-ups and put them in a nice window display for people to quickly glance at! they will soon be educated to come to you. Fact.... the more nail salons in one area the more aware people are of taking care of their nails. I live in "the Cheshire set" where we have two hairdressers within 2 doors of each other altogether in the village we have 8 places in which your nails can be done and 7 hairdressing salons not to mention beauty places! and were all doing very well. make it trendy and classy is the way to get them through the door .value for money,and great servise will keep them coming back to you.