new to the biz side...

[AllThumbs]

I'm visiting and lurking on here and trying to gather ideas for a new salon i want to start.
First let me say I'm absolutly terrified!! I've been wanting this for years but i'm so scared i'm going to lose my financial hieny. Tell me what you guys honestly thing about my business idea and if you think it will fly.

My hubby and I want to open a new salon featuring eco-friendly and organic concious services. Mani's pedi's, nail extentions. I would love to have a little boutique that sells local crafts like hand bags, jewelry, and candles in the front of the salon.
In the US a nail tech can only do nails, so i'm wondering should i include at least one hair stylist so I can offer waxing? ]
should i include massage, because there is not a huge market but if i offer a booth rental to a therapist who already has clientele then that will bring in revenue but i won't be out anything because it will all be hers.

another big thing i'm wondering is should be go ahead and aim for the big time? sinking in $50,000+ and going high class or should we start with a small comfy shop and just us.
The small comfy shop just seems so faceless and not what i'm looking for but i don't want to get in over my head. I'm trying to find something in between but i don;t want to have to move locations later if we expand.

if we go all out and start in a big plaza with a big salon i'm sure we'll be noticed more and get business faster right? We found a cutie little shop that would be just about right for two tables and two pedi chairs, but its very small and i don't know how the clients would like that.
the second location we found is about triple the space and its next to a large chain grocery store, a Super cuts, and a tanning salon, but i'm sure its really expensive and we'd have to do massive renovating to make it look like what we want.

any ideas? how did your salons start?

 

[skymark]

Renting a high profile location can get very pricey when you take the rent, ultilities and insurance into consideration and is certainly a big steo if you are not too sure.

Theres no reason that a place cannot be small and high class. It makes it somewhat exclusive.

You can take a small space that gives you more money for renovation and make it look just beautiful with the very best of everything. The size of it wouldnt put clients off if it looks beautiful and has a better service than your average salon.

True, a smaller place wont be as prominent for people to see as they walk by, but advertising and word of mouth can take care of that. Yes its a little more legwork as far as getting it known, but could save thousands in the long run.

If a small place became profitable quickly you would be more confident to move into a bigger premises or open a second small one with the same high class feel. If you can prove it to be profitable you'd also be in a good position for a business loan in the future for expansion if you have proven yourself in the industry.

Clients appreciate service before everything else and so by making sure your customer service is second to none, you wouldnt need a big place.

Hope you find a property thats right for you and congrats on your new venture. :hug:

 

[AllThumbs]

thank you for your input, i didn't think of it that way. Should I stick to just hubby and myself or should we immediatly add a stylist to offer waxing? alot of the salons here offer waxing with their nail services but niether hubby or i are licensed for that. For us to be licensed we'd that to go back to school for 1500 hours and get our hair licenses...

I'm afraid if i hire an aestethician that she won't recieve alot of clientele and i don't want her to quit because of lack of business.

also there lies the question of do i want pedi spa chairs or the uber cute and imo sophisticated pedi benches? I like the spa chairs ok, but I want to set my salon apart and No offense to those who have them, but when i see a line of pedi chairs I feel like i'm looking at an nss assimbly line, but i'm afraid ppl wouldn't like the benches because they dont massage.

 

[persianista]

I have big salons. We do the whole range of hair and beauty/ tanning/ botox etc. I cant comment on costings because I am in the uk, but £50,000 would not furnish one of my hair departments let alone fit out a full salon AND run it for the first year. I would advise to start small and build rather than expecting to go in at the top tier of salons. They acheive their size and standard after a lot of years work, or vast investment.