Hi inmybeauty
It’s certainly possible to start building a business from scratch but not for the faint hearted. You need to be red hot on sales skills and able to build a stellar internet presence.
It also depends on your competition. Most areas are awash with same same salons so ask yourself what would be your point of difference besides not offering treatments you don’t like. Is there a gap in the market? What would your ideal client look like very specifically? Build a very clear picture of a “typical” client, age, gender, interests, married or single? Kids? What sort of time of day would they want to book? Where would it suit them to visit? It’s not enough to say “my client is anyone who needs waxing and other visual treatments”. You need to have a match in terms of parking/traffic congestion, nearby businesses of interest, handy for home/work.
My first location was a bit grotty and had a near permanent queue of traffic in front. It was on a University bus route. I realised that I probably looked quite cheap and would probably appeal to students so I put up large windows stickers saying “intimate waxing, lashes, pedicures” and my phone number and never looked back. People were booking when they were on the bus!
I’d also suggest starting part time- even if you have to rent a space full time and leave it closed for 2-3 days a week whilst you have a sideline to earn some reliable cash.
Before you take this step ask yourself if your skills are ready? It doesn’t sound like you’ve had a great deal of post qualification practice and “nurturing”. There is quite a difference between a competent therapist and a confident but inexperienced therapist.
As well as bringing your therapist skills to expert level take this time to fine tune your rapport building skills. Talk to each client and check their records - are they new to the salon? Are they new to the area? Where have they been before? What do they usually have when they visit a salon? Remember that not many people have spare cash to treat themselves in January, these could be your perfect conversion opportunity. It’s a good news story that your salon are happy to invest in a new staff member and promote new services. Everyone likes a successful business - they may be open to returning for something else.
Make sure everyone knows that you are new to the salon from a place that specialises in Spa services and looking to build up your regulars in general beauty basics. I trained my staff to find out one personal fact from each client and recommend one product and one service. We made a note so that each return visit built up our relationship. Always recommend another treatment they could return for. “Your poor feet/hands! I do a lovely pedicure/manicure” or “have you thought about getting your brows professionally tinted and shaped? It would really enhance your eyes”. You get the idea.