Sarah-Jean
Well-Known Member
Please can I start this by saying I've searched through the forum and seen other threads like this turn a little nasty - please be gentle with me! LOL :green:
I'm in the process of buying a salon. It's got a great location, gorgeous beauty room (which is why I want it) and the front is fitted out for hair. Unfortunately I have no experience with hair and am a bit stumped as to where to start. I thought about renting the chairs out, but honestly I'm a bit worried about being taken advantage of with my lack of knowledge and I'd really rather have more control of what's going on, especially as the hair part is the part which is viewable to the public.
I have space for 3 stylists (but only one wash basin), there's already a fairly new stylist there who may stay on with us but I'd also like someone more experienced and senior who would possibly also assist me with managing (the hair side). Is this realistic? Can I expect someone to work the shop floor as well as help me to handle the day to day running of the hair part of the business? I'm pretty sure I've heard of senior stylists/assistant managers before. Also what sort of pay structure is normal for that kind of job? I know the new stylist that is there is currently on min. wage plus a commission on hair and retail - is it the same for a snr stylist/assistant salon manager (but obviously higher than min. wage basic) or is it a flat rate (like £18kpa) or is this something that's kind of a "lick your finger and stick it in the air" subject?!
I'm quite happy to do the leg work, I have (or have had) numerous businesses in various sectors so I'm no stranger to business in general, just hair! Unfortunately this is my real weakness in this instance.
Other than that I'm good to work for. I pay fairly (I think anyway, never had any complaints), I'm all for extra training and courses for employees, there's also opportunity for advancement as I'll be moving to the USA in a few years time (only for a few years but still I'll be gone for most of the year in that case) and at that point I will be looking for someone to take over the roll of managing the salon.
Am I really naive to think I can handle a salon that does both beauty and hair if I know nothing about hair? I've looked over the figures and it seems viable if I can find good hair stylists. There's already a good client base for the existing salon and I do a LOT of networking due to my other businesses so I'm sure I can pull in a fair amount even without the current client list. And I'm hoping anyone who comes to me, may have some regular clients they'll be bringing with them.
I'm also a bit sketchy on whether hair stylists do trade tests? How does that work? Do I just get them to do something to my hair, or do I get them to show me on someone else's hair?
Thank you in advance for not shouting and screaming at me! It's lovely and friendly here, but sometimes you more knowledgeable types scare the crappola out of me! :lol: I've been debating posting this for four days now and only just got up the courage! Yeah. I'm a Salon Geek wimp... :smack:
I'm in the process of buying a salon. It's got a great location, gorgeous beauty room (which is why I want it) and the front is fitted out for hair. Unfortunately I have no experience with hair and am a bit stumped as to where to start. I thought about renting the chairs out, but honestly I'm a bit worried about being taken advantage of with my lack of knowledge and I'd really rather have more control of what's going on, especially as the hair part is the part which is viewable to the public.
I have space for 3 stylists (but only one wash basin), there's already a fairly new stylist there who may stay on with us but I'd also like someone more experienced and senior who would possibly also assist me with managing (the hair side). Is this realistic? Can I expect someone to work the shop floor as well as help me to handle the day to day running of the hair part of the business? I'm pretty sure I've heard of senior stylists/assistant managers before. Also what sort of pay structure is normal for that kind of job? I know the new stylist that is there is currently on min. wage plus a commission on hair and retail - is it the same for a snr stylist/assistant salon manager (but obviously higher than min. wage basic) or is it a flat rate (like £18kpa) or is this something that's kind of a "lick your finger and stick it in the air" subject?!
I'm quite happy to do the leg work, I have (or have had) numerous businesses in various sectors so I'm no stranger to business in general, just hair! Unfortunately this is my real weakness in this instance.
Other than that I'm good to work for. I pay fairly (I think anyway, never had any complaints), I'm all for extra training and courses for employees, there's also opportunity for advancement as I'll be moving to the USA in a few years time (only for a few years but still I'll be gone for most of the year in that case) and at that point I will be looking for someone to take over the roll of managing the salon.
Am I really naive to think I can handle a salon that does both beauty and hair if I know nothing about hair? I've looked over the figures and it seems viable if I can find good hair stylists. There's already a good client base for the existing salon and I do a LOT of networking due to my other businesses so I'm sure I can pull in a fair amount even without the current client list. And I'm hoping anyone who comes to me, may have some regular clients they'll be bringing with them.
I'm also a bit sketchy on whether hair stylists do trade tests? How does that work? Do I just get them to do something to my hair, or do I get them to show me on someone else's hair?
Thank you in advance for not shouting and screaming at me! It's lovely and friendly here, but sometimes you more knowledgeable types scare the crappola out of me! :lol: I've been debating posting this for four days now and only just got up the courage! Yeah. I'm a Salon Geek wimp... :smack: