Home-based salons

[LucyDodds]

Hi,

I'm currently deliberating over wether or not to relocate my shop-based nail business into a home salon or not. I've been established for 18 months now, and have a good regular clientele, however due to the marvellous 'credit crunch' and increased premises and stock prices i'm considering trying to run my business from home (in a converted outhouse which would be v.posh!). I've asked a proportion of my customers how they would feel, and they've all said they'll still come to me.

How has every one else found running a business from home, and how do your customers feel about going to your house rather than a 'shop'? And has anyone been in the same position as me?

 

[angel fingers]

a lot of my clients comment on the fact that they prefer the privacy of my home salon and like the fact that their treatment is not disturbed by people walking in off the street as they could in shop premises.

it sounds as though you will be setting up professionaly , its not as if you are going to be doing their nails off the arm of your sofa, so they really wont experience much difference. probably easier for them to park too.
i think that clients like the fact that they are their by your invitation too and you are not open to any tom **** or harry passing by !
you will loose out on passing trade though and will have to rely more heavily on word of mouth and developing a good reputation.

 

[LucyDodds]

a lot of my clients comment on the fact that they prefer the privacy of my home salon and like the fact that their treatment is not disturbed by people walking in off the street as they could in shop premises.

it sounds as though you will be setting up professionaly , its not as if you are going to be doing their nails off the arm of your sofa, so they really wont experience much difference. probably easier for them to park too.
i think that clients like the fact that they are their by your invitation too and you are not open to any tom **** or harry passing by !
you will loose out on passing trade though and will have to rely more heavily on word of mouth and developing a good reputation.

Thank you, as i've said i've been established for 18 months so i do have a good client base already, and the majority of my customers have come to me through word of mouth so that's good, and i get very little passing trade anyway, so that won't be a problem either. Thanks for your help!

 

[angel fingers]

Thank you, as i've said i've been established for 18 months so i do have a good client base already, and the majority of my customers have come to me through word of mouth so that's good, and i get very little passing trade anyway, so that won't be a problem either. Thanks for your help!

sounds like its going the right way for you then lucy.good luck with it and be sure to post some pictures of your building development.
it should add value to your property too as lots of people are looking for properties where they can work from home, so thats going to be a better investment than paying rent somewhere else.

i had to laugh when i noticed the word d1ck had been automatically edited from my first post.:lol:

 

[roseblanc]

My clients prefer my home salon. They are more comfortable, they enjoy th privacy a lot more and it's a more "homey" feeling for them, they don't have any strangers staring at them thru the glass or 10 other people around them chatting away. It's 1 on 1 and it's personal.

Seeing as how you already have an established clientele base, I think you will succeed working from home. Your current clients will love it and spread the word faster than ever. I just opened my home salon at the beginning of this month, and already I'm doing much better than I expected to in my first month. I wouldn't change a thing.

 

[Bagpuss]

I have always worked from home and wouldn't have it any other way...I love it.

I can work the hours that fit around my family and around my clients...evenings are no problem so its great for those who work 9-5

There are no interruptions apart from my 13 year old daughter asking if we want drinks...:lol:

Only downside is some (very few) who think cos you work from home you can fit them in whenever and ring you whenever...but its not many cos i have explained what hours i am able to take calls etc.

I would go for it...

 

[Olivia Dawn]

did most of you work in a salon before opening your own business in your home?? I just graduated from nail tech school here ( an every day morning 5 month course) and got a high enough mark on my gov't exam to apprentice under myself.. so I am thinking about doing it from home. Is this a bad idea??:lol:

 

[LucyDodds]

did most of you work in a salon before opening your own business in your home?? I just graduated from nail tech school here ( an every day morning 5 month course) and got a high enough mark on my gov't exam to apprentice under myself.. so I am thinking about doing it from home. Is this a bad idea??:lol:

Hiya, I would always recommend working for someone else first, before opening your own place, it's the only way to get experience, and you get more of an insight into the business cos you see it through someone elses eyes. I worked in a nail salon for three years (doing L&P enhancements), and only after 2 years was i truly happy with my work.
HTH

 

[roseblanc]

did most of you work in a salon before opening your own business in your home?? I just graduated from nail tech school here ( an every day morning 5 month course) and got a high enough mark on my gov't exam to apprentice under myself.. so I am thinking about doing it from home. Is this a bad idea??:lol:

I never worked in a salon. After I got my certification I opened a salon in my home, with absolutely no clientele base, I live in a small town of only 2000 people and I can honestly say - I'm doing a lot better than I expected to so far.

If its something your really considering - think long and hard about it. Create a business plan and really plan everything out well. Be prepared to advertise yourself like crazy! Business cards, flyers, etc... I actually got great advice from one Geek about having custom pens made up. I went ahead and did that and it's awesome, really works!

 

[Olivia Dawn]

ha ok I have lots to think about but yeah I know experience is good. I do live out of a town so that is one reason and have a young child that is hard to find daycare for. But I will prob try at a salon first and see how it goes. I did buy a lot of product recently though haha! Thanks tho!!!:Grope:

 

[mdskora]

I am in the exact same possy as you... I am stressed to the max...... I think I have come to the conclusion that I need to work my arse off and work both the salon and home until I have my clients beggign me to fit me in at home.. rather than the salon...
I dont want to start a half hearted salon either... I am one to want the whistles and bells straight away.. I hate things half finished... I wont have a client sit in my salon until it is PERFECT.... god my husband is right... I put to much pressure on my self...lol

let us know how you go with the Very Posh salon.... cant wait to see some photos...
X Mel

 

[LucyDodds]

I am in the exact same possy as you... I am stressed to the max...... I think I have come to the conclusion that I need to work my arse off and work both the salon and home until I have my clients beggign me to fit me in at home.. rather than the salon...
I dont want to start a half hearted salon either... I am one to want the whistles and bells straight away.. I hate things half finished... I wont have a client sit in my salon until it is PERFECT.... god my husband is right... I put to much pressure on my self...lol

let us know how you go with the Very Posh salon.... cant wait to see some photos...
X Mel

Thank you for your help, it is an agonising decision to make! Any one else any opinions?

 

[Crystaltippers]

I worked in a salon for 2 1/2 years and then it closed, all my clients came home with me apart from the few that I didn't want to take. They love my home salon, I've got a cabin in the garden. The only downside is as bagpuss said that they sometimes feel that you are able to fit them in whenever they want an appointment. I had one client text me at 10.30 the other night!

But on the whole I'm much happier, my kids are much happier and my clients are happy I think it feels more of a personal service for them with no interruptions etc. Have gained a few new ones along the way and hopefully will continue to do so through word of mouth/recommendations etc.

 

[cabinkel]

I work from home and its the best move i ever made! I worked in a high street salon, but the hours were too rigid for me! (I have a young family). I work more hours now, but they are hours that fit in with me, not me in with them.
Clients love comig to me at home as they are never rushed, they feel like they get my undivided attention and no one has to know they are there as a private salon.

Only down side to me is that I miss "collegues" and the salon banter, tea break chats etc.

 

[LucyDodds]

I work from home and its the best move i ever made! I worked in a high street salon, but the hours were too rigid for me! (I have a young family). I work more hours now, but they are hours that fit in with me, not me in with them.
Clients love comig to me at home as they are never rushed, they feel like they get my undivided attention and no one has to know they are there as a private salon.

Only down side to me is that I miss "collegues" and the salon banter, tea break chats etc.

Thank you. Think my decision is pretty much made!

 

[blossom]

I totally agree with the other posters who are successfully running home salons ... go for it, you won't regret it. I've never worked in a salon, just trained and set up at home from scratch. As you already have a client base it will be an absolutely breeze. That's the only tricky bit . . . attracting clients when you have no shop front, although I found a few thousand leaflets and a few ads did the trick to start me off. Now after nearly 6 years it's nearly all word of mouth.

Like Bagpuss says, some clients expect you to be on call all the time - I couldn't exist without my answering machine and I never pick up if I'm with someone. My clients know I work school hours and a couple of evenings a week, so its no good asking for a 4.30 appt for example - but I do pick up lots of people that find traditional salon hours difficult to make.

Sounds like you have almost made up your mind . . . this is another vote in favour anyway!! Good luck whatever you decide! :hug:

 

[LucyDodds]

I totally agree with the other posters who are successfully running home salons ... go for it, you won't regret it. I've never worked in a salon, just trained and set up at home from scratch. As you already have a client base it will be an absolutely breeze. That's the only tricky bit . . . attracting clients when you have no shop front, although I found a few thousand leaflets and a few ads did the trick to start me off. Now after nearly 6 years it's nearly all word of mouth.

Like Bagpuss says, some clients expect you to be on call all the time - I couldn't exist without my answering machine and I never pick up if I'm with someone. My clients know I work school hours and a couple of evenings a week, so its no good asking for a 4.30 appt for example - but I do pick up lots of people that find traditional salon hours difficult to make.

Sounds like you have almost made up your mind . . . this is another vote in favour anyway!! Good luck whatever you decide! :hug:

Thank you all, this has definitely given me food for thought! Will let you know the outcome as soon as i do!

 

[SkyeOwl]

Hi,
Where do you all have your rooms?
Am I unusual in that I work out of my front room? During school hours of course. I don't think it's put anyone off. It's only becuase I don't have a spare bedroom, and I have no room in the garden for a cabin - that would be lovely!
I hate mobile work - all that lugging about and traffic etc - I arrive so stressed that there's no point really!
Anyone else like me?
x

 

[femmefan]

I converted my unused dining room into a very nice home salon and am doing very well with it. I've never worked in a salon as I couldn't afford childcare considering the low wages on offer. As I started with no client base I made myself available pretty much 24/7 and now having built up regular clients I arrange my times and days off when I like. The beauty of a home salon is that you don't have to advertise opening hours and clients come by appointment only so if business is quiet on one day you can do your paperwork OR take the day off and work another day instead. I use my mobile phone for work so people can text or call - yes, people do text at all hours, but they don't really expect an answer straight away.

 

[Lemmonie]

I have a home salon.
Was a spare double room upstairs which i converted.

Have never worked in a salon as i only trained 1.5yrs ago. Practised on friends etc will January when i opened the salon.
Built the business from there and i work every evening only. I book three weeks in advance too. In fact i will have to open one day as i simply cant fit anyone else in now if people just want the odd pedi or spray tan as most slots booked already with acrylic infill clients.
I LOVE IT!

PS photos of my salon in my profile