One year in.....!

[misssiesta]

I am a one man band at the end of my first year of running my own business.Its been very tough year .Starting up in a recession,starting from scratch with no client base.After my rent/rates and all bills at the salon have been paid each month,there is nothing left.I am still not taking a wage.Although my boyfriend has a good job and supports us both,it leaves me disheartened.Things are so quiet.I realise that getting established is not gonner happen over night but when do you decide whether somethings going to be a success or not ?Am i expecting too much?Should i be thankful that at least im covering my costs in these trying times.Please let me know your thoughts?All you established geeks and also you beginners like myself please comment ...........

 

[leonnib]

ive just started up its been a month so dont know about length of time to get established in beauty industry.. as its still slow for me still
are you working from home or salon?

 

[misssiesta]

I rent premises.Every month at the salon all the outgoings get paid and there is very little left.......No one said it would be easy .Ijust want to be in a position to take a wage and wondered what other peoples experiences are.Good luck.You rent somewhere ?

 

[leonnib]

i also rent so i can see where your coming from.
but at the same time you may not be taking a wage but you still managed to keep it running for a year which you should be proud of.

hopefully someone who is established will be able to give you more info about time etc.

but i do know the first year is the hardest.

 

[persianista]

congratulations on being 1!!!!
My first salon is 10 this year. The first year is always tough. one of my salons is 3 years old and is now showing a profit.
I think the statistic is that one in three salons folds in its first year, so to get through year one paying the bills is pretty good going.
So chin up and keep going x

 

[FlawlessBeauty]

I have just finished year 2. I rent a room in a hairdressers and started up with no client base and had to earn my reputation there. Anyone else that tried there seemed to leave quite quickly so in the beginning it seemed the hair clients were always asking, "you're not leaving are you?" until they got used to me.

I can happily say my first year was a bit like yours. Paid all the bills and had a little left over but not loads. Gradually, the business built up and now i'm doing really quite well. Fingers crossed it stays that way.

Just don't get disheartened and work your backside off to ensure that you provide the best treatments you can and reward your existing clients for being loyal. You'll get plenty of word of mouth. Oh, do you have a website? Mine has been a god send.

Well done for getting through your first year! Love Kayleigh xx

 

[champagne]

Ive been up & running for just over 12 months...... I started from scratch, no clients & newly qualified!

I've gone from rent a room to renting a salon on my own....

I've covered all my costs including training, stock, setting up the room & then the salon.

I sat around for hours in the first few months, now im just about fully booked 2 weeks in advance.

I have been known to be in the salon till 10/11 at night & working 12 hour days, just this week ive done two 12 hour days..

I know it can be done, ive done it & am doing it....

Stick with it and you will reap the rewards..

Running a salon single handed is damm hard and some days you feel like you are earning peanuts but you can do it.

Good luck with it all x

 

[shedunlop]

I have been at it for 15 years now and 9 years ago moved from Bristol to Gloucester so had to start all over again! The first year or two are the hardest but there are some things to look at that will give you a clue as to how things are really going.

Are you increasing your client base, even if gradually, is it still growing? Also have you got regular clients? If you have then you are doing well. Do you encourage them to book their next appointment before they leave? I have always done this as they are paying and just ask politely if they would like to book for the next time, if they don't they will say they will ring you but most of them do rebook and at least that way they can choose their appointment date. Don't let them know you are not too busy, better to give the impression that you are quite busy so they need to book sooner rather than later. People forget to ring up, honestly, they will mean to make an appointment but not get round to it!

Look at your costs, for example, couch rolls etc, are you getting the best deal? Salonserve are the cheapest I have found and the quality is fine for couch rolls, waxing strips, and the like.

PM me if you want a chat, I would be happy to help you in any way I can. It is hard, but when you get there you will be so pleased with yourself!

Love and hugs

Sheila xxx

 

[bexi]

Hey

I would say well done for breaking even in your first year! No its not easy, yes it sucks at times but you've made your first year...it gets easier!

Sir Alan (lol) went bankrupt twice I think before he made, same with many other billionaires!! You learn from your mistakes, as said before examine all your costs can something be reduced?

My boyfriend told me after my first year to think this when I bought something ''Do I really need it or would it better of in my pocket at the end of the month (legally obviously!)'' - works a treat.

Becki xxx