Have you always dreamed of being successful in the world of aesthetics? Here's how to open up and make your beauty salon flourish.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Open the Center
Step 1. Find out how much money you will need
Starting a business can take a lot of money, and most entrepreneurs don't make a profit in the first couple of years. Here's what to consider:
- Will you be able to provide for your livelihood when you need to start the business? Calculate how much money you need for monthly expenses, how much savings you have aside, and how much you will need to earn as a minimum to stay on the waterline.
- Plan an operating budget. Calculate how much money you will need to run the business each month. Include rent, licenses, training, payroll, supplies, and emergency fund.
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Set the price of your services. When you have an operating budget planned, you will know how much money you will need to earn to bring the budget even each month. To make a profit, however, you will need to do more than guarantee an even balance. Estimate how many services (haircuts, dyes, manicures, etc.) you will offer in a week and calculate the price you would have to apply to earn.
- Remember that even if you have to charge enough for your services to make a profit, you won't be able to keep the prices too high, or you won't attract customers. Try to set prices that are fair to your customers and appropriate to your needs.
- Compare your prices with those of other salons. Visit the salons in your area, and take note of their prices. Your prices should fall in the same range.
- Do you need a loan? Make an appointment with a local bank official, and ask if small business loans are available. Before you go to the interview, prepare a business plan outlining how you plan to profit from your salon.
- Evaluate the tax aspects. As a company, you will have to pay taxes differently than an individual, so make sure you know your obligations to the taxman. To save you time and effort, hire an accountant to do it for you.
Step 2. Obtain the required licenses
Unfortunately, to start a business, you will have to deal with red tape. Here's what you'll need to take care of:
- Get a business license. You will need to create a company registered with the Chamber of Commerce, which will need to be licensed to issue invoices and provide beauty services.
- Make sure your beauty salon can pass a hygienic inspection. To avoid fines or office closures by the Ministry of Health, make sure your salon complies with hygiene regulations.
Step 3. Choose the right position
Location is critical to the success of your business. Consider these factors:
- Choose a heavily trafficked area. Busy streets, shopping malls or spaces near places frequented by people often (such as grocery stores) are ideal.
- Try to provide easy access to your customers. If parking near your salon is difficult, and the roads to get there are too busy, people may think it's not worth a visit.
- Choose a location away from the competition. Don't choose a space next to another salon - both of you will see unsatisfactory profits. Instead, look for a place where yours will be the only beauty salon within a few blocks.
Step 4. Hire qualified and trained personnel
Cosmetic procedures performed by untrained personnel can cause health problems for clients. It is important to only hire professional beauticians and hairdressers.
- Remember, it is your responsibility as an owner to ensure the professionalism of your employees.
- Experience may allow a beautician to perform the procedures, but without training she will not know the merits and demerits of the procedures.
- Write a short but clear procedure manual as soon as possible, and enter into a contract with all of your employees. You can easily find these documents on the internet, and you can customize them for your business. You can save yourself a lot of headaches in the future if you worry about these things from the start.
Method 2 of 2: Welcoming Customers
Step 1. Create a clean and reassuring atmosphere
Salons need a clean, reassuring and relaxing environment where clients can receive quick and professional treatments.
- Cleanliness is a particularly important element that will keep customers coming back. Make sure that towels, foot washers and all other equipment are clean, washed and free from bad odor.
- Use cutting-edge products and tools. Your customers will need to know that your products and the tools you will use on them are of excellent quality and safe. You can't risk customers getting an infection, as it could irreparably damage your reputation.
- Create a relaxing atmosphere. Play soft music, use soft lighting, and make sure your employees don't speak loudly.
Step 2. Offer a wide range of services (optional)
This can give you a big advantage over centers that only offer one or two types of services. Many clients prefer a salon that gives them the ability to treat their hair, face and nails in one place.
While specializing in an area of expertise isn't a bad idea, giving customers the ability to take advantage of many different services can put you ahead of the competition
Step 3. Make sure your customers are satisfied
It is important that your business builds and maintains a great reputation, in order to keep customers coming back. Try to give them the best experience possible, and go out of your way to make them feel at home.
- The most important marketing strategy for a beauty salon is word of mouth. If a customer is happy with the results, they will come back, because they will trust the quality of your service. Satisfied customers will recommend your center to friends, family and colleagues. Word will get out soon!
- Ask your customers if they want to leave you their personal information so that you can contact them with promotions, news and special offers.
Advice
- If you decide to enter the world of aesthetics, you will have to set a good example yourself. You will have to take great care of your appearance and that of your employees.
- Consider getting your employees to take regular refresher courses to keep them informed of the latest products and trends.
- You won't be able to offer high wages in the beginning, but there are other things you can do to keep your employees happy. Be reasonable about vacation requests and personal days. Organize an employee night out every two to three months - a pizza and a beer won't be too expensive and will create team spirit among your employees. Introduce a commission rewards system, so your staff are motivated to expand your clientele. Make sure staff salaries are paid on time and on a regular basis. They are small things, but they can make a difference.
