what to do?

[clairey24]

hi there geeks!
ive been viewing and loving this site for a while now! full of useful info and tips!
ive been into make up and beauty for a few years but as i have a full time job (which i hate) it has taken me till now to almost be qualified in level 2! i love the course and also have thrown myself into it and actually have picked up quite a few clients already mostly friends and relatives just going to their homes or them coming to mine for mainly waxing painting nails applying tan applying eyelashes and facials! when im qualified i intend to get insurance and actually do it properly from home ie using flyers etc whilst completing level 3!
I also had a bit of experience in a local salon! ( one day a week)
i have done a lot of rub on tans and used tins to spray clients but would love to complete a spray tan course!
people say to me that i should open a place of my own! i would love to! but i have a few questions? im happy enough to work from home for a while and build up clients but there is only so much i can do as i also have a full time job but do you think i would be wise to even think about leaving my full time job to open a salon never having actually worked full time in one before?
there is shop becoming available very soon which isnt too expensive has free parking and a great location this is why i ask! i have dreamed for ages bout this shop and i would hate to see any1 else doing my idea!
do you think its important to have level 3 before i open a place? or could i get by in a salon by offering level 2 treatments with spray tanning and nails? until level 3 was completed the add more tratments to list or should
i put this out of my head? did any of you start straight out on your own?
sorry for long windedness and thanks in advance for your help! xx

 

[kylieb]

I think you should gain some experience first before you open your own salon. You dont NEED level 3 but the more treatments you can offer then the more clients you will have.
x

 

[angelina221]

There's lots of costs involved when taking on a salon. It may seem cheap but have you taken into account all the bills you will need to pay?
There are rates, rent, gas, electric, water, telephone, licences, music licences, insurance, accountants fees, solicitor fees, advertising, printing costs, pdq rental costs, stock, renovation if needed, equipment, money to kit the salon out, and more.
Even little things add up like; cleaning stuff, toilet rolls, laundry, magazines, light bulbs etc....
If you take out a loan you will also need to take this into consideration. Most businesses make a loss in the first year so you will need enough money to see you through the first year at least.
You will need to do a business plan and see if this venture is viable.
It takes time to build up a client base and even with the best will in the world, if you haven't got the resources then you are going to fail.
I don't mean to put a damper on things but you need to think everything through before you even consider opening your own salon. :hug:

 

[kezza*]

It's always been my dream to own a salon. I have been working in salons since I qualifity 9 years ago. I have been working from home since september last year and I love it. I have been looking for a salon for over 5 years and the time has never been right,,, some many that I ahve said that's the prefer place and a few months later a salon opens. I have my eye on one now and I keep saying to the other half about but again time isn't right,,, we are trying for a baby,,, his excuse is that being at home I don't have any bills,,,,, but I have all the time in the world to have a salon.
At least if your homebased you can work around your job,,,,,It takes time either in a salon or homebased to build a client base and it's a big step leaving your job and working for yourself that's something that you are going to have to think about. And remember whilst your working for yourself you won't have your wages coming in.
Good luck

 

[clairey24]

thanks for the great answers! i have taken everything you have said into consideration! i also forgot to say that my husband works full time and provides enough money to cover our bills i would need a small loan for start up but already have most of the equipment needed for treatments! Angelina sorry for my ignorance but u mention something called pdq rental costs what is this? also what would u geeks consider a decent client base? xx

 

[angelina221]

thanks for the great answers! i have taken everything you have said into consideration! i also forgot to say that my husband works full time and provides enough money to cover our bills i would need a small loan for start up but already have most of the equipment needed for treatments! Angelina sorry for my ignorance but u mention something called pdq rental costs what is this? also what would u geeks consider a decent client base? xx

It's your credit card machine-PDQ - Process Data Quickly

 

[Susie H]

Angelina, has put it all down so much better then I could:hug: But then, she has been doing this for a while.
How many clients?
Well you need to work out all the out goings then how many treatments you can offer at what cost, don't forget the tax bill or your own wages.
Now, for the first year the tax man will expect you to work at a loss, second year, break even and third year make a small profit.
But for the purpose of working out your forcast, factor it all in.
Then having worked out number of hours you can work, number of clients x time of treatments = money you will take, - costs of running the salon, including stock used That should tell you if your salon is a good idea or not.
What some of the geeks have done is put a salon in the back garden, this works well if you have a side access or rear entrance to the propety. It stays seperate to your home and has the advantage of much lower out goings whilst still giving you the 'work from home' flexability.
If you have a room at home that you can work from, for now I would contiue to use it. Build your client base up and save like mad, it's better to have a nest egg then a bank loan when you open up that salon:hug: