makeupartistzoe
Well-Known Member
I need some help please! I need to know when exactly you decided 'I'm going to open my own salon!' As I think I've had mine in the last couple of weeks and want honest opinions on wether you think I should pursue it...For the last year and a half I've been in a cupboard room within a really established hair salon. As makeup is my thing (specialised after 2 years everything beauty) I just did that, manis and pedis, brow shaping, lash tinting and lash extensions- built up regulars and reputation by being there as much as possible and then was able to enjoy it and pay a baby rent of £400 a month.
It changed last November when my boyfriend found me 3 treatment rooms and a reception/retail area on the 2nd floor of a really nice hairdressers for only £600per month but in a different town 40 mins away. 'Argh!' I said, 'it's such a good opportunity to turn away and I'll build my clients back up!' So with my big barbers chair, hollywood lights, makeup kit, wax kit, lash kit, nail polish collection, chip and pin I bought a little till, spray tan equipment, nail desk (which i profit share to a nail tech who uses her own products) furniture, new paint and a loverly lot of dermalogica products- (yes I opened a big new account and it's selling really well!) I set up what felt like my own salon!!!!
It's so pretty, the girl that was there before me only left as her boyfriend moved away and it's got clean white walls, built in shelves for retail, designer wall paper and so far away (2nd floor- quiet for tranquil treatments!) I could live there! And was happily thinking I'll be there for a while (maybe 5 years then I can think about sprogs, I'm 23 now so It's an idea...) It's a dream salon...Yes a complete fairytale...
...Then the salon owners (for hair, the ones with the lease on the building,) let me know and they didnt know until a few weeks ago either that the rent is going up to £65k per year for the unit. Yay! Bye bye dream salon! Thanks landlord for destroying the dream! Just when we are getting settled. I know this rent rise is a fact of life, the hairdressers want to take me with them, I'm happy to go, if it's going to be as perfect as it is now...and I am worried I'm not going to be a priority, my rent may go down if I lose a room or may go up. If it does I'm just going to want my own place...
...when did you salon owners know? Just to do it? And the best way or raising finance for a new shop fit? I don't have loadsa cash saved but have lots of equipment, stock, chip and pin thats my own and half a salon already, lots of motivation and drive...a bit nevous about going to a bank as I've got faith in myself as I've invested in my training and my parents helped with my Dermalogica account so I want to stand on my own lil leggies now....
....aaarrrggghhh! Hope this was a good read, sorry it went on a bit! Please let me know wether you would stick or play?
Thanks peeps!
