Starting a new Hair Salon Business

[littlesophie]

Hello ladies I am new to this site, so I hope you will be kind enough to help me.

Firstly I would like to say I am completely envious of all of you ladies on here because after reading a lot of your threads you ALL seem very talented and you all seem to know your business inside out.

Like my title says I would like to open a hair salon (as a business manager) not a stylist and any advice would be much appreciated. I have been on a Business Management Course, and Im looking to start a hairdressing course at my local college in April, just to get a basic understanding of Hairdressing.

I am so glad that I came across this site because you all seem to switched on about your trade and it would be brillaint hearing from any of you that have your own business.

I am at the very beginning of my Business Plan so any start up advice would be great.

Thank you very much for your time.
Sx

 

[persianista]

Can I ask why you are choosing to open a salon if you are not a hairdresser? I'm not saying you shouldn't (I know other non hairdressers that own salons) I just wondered why you chose this industry

 

[littlesophie]

Thank you for your response persianista, the reason why I have chosen a Hair Salon as a business investment is because I feel my local area would benefit from this, we are out in the sticks and have to travel quite a way to any salon. I have done some research around the town and all the locals feel it would be great.

And to be honest uts always been a bit of a dream for me.

Thanks
Sx

 

[Nishi85]

Hi Sophie this isnt in answer to your query sorry. However, reading the reason why you want to open a hair salon even though you are not a hair dresser is a fantastic reason. It's nice that you are bringing something closer for the locals and it's doing something good for the community!! xx

 

[littlesophie]

Thank you for your response Nikki P. I hope it comes off because I know that loads of people will benefit from. Im a real people person, but Im also a real hard worker, I like to try new things.

I also have a Diploma in media make-up which I may incorportate to the business as well, but i have to walk before I can run.

Please any advice will be most appreciated, or if there are any areas of this web site that you guys could point me to that may be of any help will also be great.

I appreciate that you are all very busy and may not have the time to respond to me, but thank you anyway.

Sx

 

[chicchick]

littlesophie,

I think your approach is very intelligent. If you get a real understanding of the industry, and you have unique skills yourself that could shape the concept of your business then you are definitely on the right track. To run a successful business takes a lot of time, and I've always thought myself that if you are the owner and trying to work full-time on the floor then you haven't left yourself enough time to really get to grips with the business side. I have a hairdressing business myself but I don't work a column, because I have plenty to do on the business side that takes up my time and means the business will grow and develop to its potential. I do have hairdressing and make-up qualifications and experience, but I use that to get the best out of the staff and give the business an identity and a direction.
So as I say, you've really got your head screwed on from a business perspective and you will be building knowledge and understanding of the industry with the experience you have and you are gaining on the technical side.
Check back in as you get a bit further down the line and I will be happy to act as a sounding board for your thoughts and plans

 

[-sophisticutz-]

Hi.

It's a great idea to provide a service to an area that doesn't possess an existing salon.

The only thing I maybe would consider a hurdle is as you are a non-hairdresser you are unable to take an income for the salon yourself. I have a salon that's a bit out of the way and all the salons have the owners working the floor, it's the only way to make a profit. You would really need to get stylists with a good clientèle or the ability to build one quickly. Also, depending on the area, you may have a low ceiling on what you can charge. You may find all takings end up going on stylists wages. If you were hairdressing yourself, you would be more likely to take a regular wage from the business sooner.

 

[persianista]

Donna has put it very well. The salons I know with non working owners are all big ones. Given that minimum wage and 28 days of holidays have been imposed, I struggle with the idea of a small salon, couple of stylists, and a non working owner (I mean non hairdresser), making enough for a living.

There are pitfalls peculiar to salons that they don't teach you in business school. Take a read of our salon owner threads and blogs to give you an idea of how tough it can be even for seasoned industry pro's.