How much of a risk taker are you?

[wendy217]

Hi Geeks
What I want to know is when setting up your business did you stick with the tried and tested treatments and wait until your clients asked for other new treatments before you offered them, or go with new things and market them so that they attracted new clients? Where I live isn't at the cutting edge of style and I don't know whether to offer something that no one else does and hope that the business is there or just to do what everyone else does and just do it hopefully very well. You see these new pieces of equipment sometimes and some are clearly not going to make money and some you can only dream of, but some seem to make sense if you can afford to spend on them. Does a successful and profitable business person have to be a risk taker??
x
Wendy

 

[persianista]

I think to a certain extent every salon owner is a risk taker, there are never guarantees! I have taken risks in my business life that many wouldn't have taken, and yet I can often come across as cautious.
I think it comes down to calculated risk, and good knowledge of your clients and target market.
My motto is only risk what you can afford to lose.
However when it comes to new treatments and products, you have to sell them. Clients are not in our industry, they don't know about minx or brazillian blow drys!
It means talking about the new stuff. (not so much yapping about the weekend!!!!)
Your clients may surprise you.

 

[angelheart]

What is a brazillian blow dry??? i have never heard of it. I have just converted a room to work from home, do some mobile and 2 days a week in a salon. I am going to try and do a new course every couple of months to increase my treatment menu, i think i will probably go for the ones i am asked for the most because then you kind of know you have clients lined up for them. I am a firm believer in taking risks, but in this climate it is also wise to spend your money on the treatments that you will actually get clients paying for first and perhaps add the more out there ones later??

 

[persianista]

It's a blow dry that lasts 12 weeks.
I tend to research new treatments then figure out how I would sell them, and who I would sell them to. Seriously niche products are fine if you really specialise, but I try and find treatments and products with broad appeal.

 

[wendy217]

The reason I'm asking is that I'm interested in getting a microdermabrasion machine. Its quite a purchase for someone in the process of setting up a home based salon (I was going to go mobile but I've got a room at home so it makes more sense). I'm not aware of anyone locally offering this treatment but there may be a reason for this. I don't know whether to go for it or just stick to the treatments I know from college, plus a few extra ones I am learning. Is this something more suited to a full blown salon with existing client base or not?
x

 

[persianista]

It depends who your clients are. If you are currently into facials in a big way and have a facial clientele, then yes it's worthwhile.
If you primarily do tans or waxing I think you would struggle to get your money back.
If you currently don't have a clientele, then I would wait until you know who your clients are before making big investments.

 

[wendy217]

That sounds like good advice Persianista. Perhaps I will have to put the idea on the back burner for the moment. Next thread will be "how do I get a clientele??"!!! Lol. x