Rebeccasbeauty
Well-Known Member
I currently have a converted room on my house which I work from its fully equipped and very professional
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Having done it, I would say don't. Just my view but you end up paying out so much...rent,business rates,all the utility bills etc. If you do decide to go for it I wish you well.
I opened my salon in November.
I need to take £55 a day over a 6 day week to cover costs. I don't pay rates (I get 100% Small business rates relief from the council) And I've had my rent deferred for a year. I don't get paid yet but that covers the 2 part time therapists, and all out goings. I have a small 1 room salon with much more potential to expand to add another 3 treatment rooms. But I am building it up slowly, as money allows.
It isn't plain sailing, I have many sleepless nights over 1 thing or another.
But I love it so much!
If I had to commit to a lease and rates I'm not sure I'd do it, because I have had to borrow a lot of money to pay the bills as we haven't been covering costs some weeks.
It's not a decision to take lightly x
Ah well done glad your enjoying it, did you get you rent deferred through the council too u have heard a few people in my area mention something about no rent for first year to see how your business goes usually in old charity shops.
Hi
I made the jump and got my own salon after having a room. It was great having the freedom to choose my own style / products etc to have in the salon etc. However, the hidden costs were far more than I had initially expected, and the difference between having one room and a salon is that people expect a salon to be "open all hours", when it's just you and a room you can be more flexible and people understand that it is just you - they aren't so understanding when you have shop premises and think you should have therapists just waiting for them all the time!.
I got no rent rebate at all so paid full rent from day 1. I did get small business rate relief but it did not cover all the business rates (less than half) so I had to pay the difference. The cost of overheads are quite high for a salon -
Rent/lease costs
Business Rates
Insurance - treatment, product liability and public liability
Phone line rental and calls
Mobile phone (if you use one for business)
Rubbish removal (no domestic waste service as it's a business and that has to be paid for).
Repairs/redecoration of the salon every few months to keep it looking fresh.
Window display materials (if you change them regularly).
Prs licence for music
water rates
gas and electricity
card machine
Cost of someone to cover reception while you are doing treatments or to employ another therapist.
Product and consumables cost, and cost of products to retail (though you get retail costs back it's not always straightaway).
Laundry cost (it adds up to more than you think if you are busy)
Printing/design costs - for price lists, appt cards, loyalty cards etc - which you will get through thousands of (I thought people were decorating their walls with my price lists I got through so many of them!).
I know some of these can be small costs in themselves, but when you have a salon and add them all up week in week out before you pay yourself a wage it does make a difference.
While I wouldn't want to put you off I decided that after having my salon for a few years that I would return to being mobile and working from home as it was more flexible for me - and my lease was up for renewal - and the rent was put up (because I was busy!!!) and i'd had to have signed for a long time (very tying). I make more money for myself now (much lower overheads) and I can choose my working hours.
If you want a salon go for it, but it might be worth asking yourself the pros and cons of having a salon and if what you are doing now suits you more or not. I was very lucky and had a busy salon, and I didn't end up losing anything when I decided to go mobile, but I know that this isn't the case for everyone and leases etc can be hard to get out of if you find it's not for you.
Best of luck with whatever you decide - there are nice things about both - it's just deciding what is right for you now.
Choccy xx
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