Hair Salon Business Review

Do You Have An Entrepreneurial Burning In Your Belly?

Hair Salon could be a lucrative business if you are interested in professional hair care as a career. I said lucrative based on some real figures.

Yep! Americans spend billions of dollars in hair care every year.

In a recent survey estimated total salon revenues in US were a staggering $55.9 billion.

Well, that figure is more than enough to motivate you to start your own hair salon business.

Hair Salon Business Prerequisites

Setting up a functional salon is a lot of work though and needs proper planning and research, just like any other business.

You need professional training and licensing.

It starts from planning your budget, which must include at least 3-4 months of working capital.

Choosing the best location is vital either.... man that's the key to your future success.

Getting the proper and required salon equipments and product supplies.

Keeping in tune with the modern technology by applying salon software to manage customers and services and invoicing.

Hair Salon Start Up Expenses

• The first and foremost to consider is the space. If you own a space then you are naturally a happy camper. If you don't... then you have to rent. Prices would vary according to your choice of location.
  
  You would require anywhere between 500 to 2000 square feet of space available at your disposal. The more the services you offer or plan to offer, the more is the space required.
• But the space isn't itself already to jump start any business. You need to improve and repair and rather improvise to make it salon like. Repairings and furnitures come into this account.
• Next is the skilled manpower i.e. the hairstylists, beauticians technicians and receptionist you would hire. Now this could form a major chunk among all of your business expenses. Because this is the biggest and recurring cost of your business... monthly.
  
  Again, the scope of services and your budget must be the mainstay in deciding the number of experts you should hire.
  
• Salon Equipment will account for a good sum in your business plan. The expenses will fall or rise according to the services you are planning to offer.
  
  No matter what scale you intend to start your business, there are some essential must have tools. They are wash basin, styling iron, hair dryers, supply trolleys, styling chair, manicure sets, and of course the aprons.
  
  Other optional equipments include hair steaming tools, massage machines, shampoo spray tools, facial bed and miscellaneous skin care instruments.
• If you opt to sell beauty/makeup tools and products, then you need to have a sufficient supply of them to start with.
• Your may end up investing anywhere from $ 2K to $35K for the salon equipments alone.
• There are other miscellaneous one time expenses either. Like Cash register, Computer with salon software installed, Business licensure and the applicable fees, Advertising & marketing costs at the beginning, Point of sales terminal (to accept credit cards), Business Insurance etc.

So all in all you can spend anywhere between $10K - $100K to start your own full service hair salon business.

Low Cost To No Cost Business Alternatives

Scared? Don't worry ... You can be in hair care business even if you are not yet in a position to afford all the above expenses. How?

Well, You can get ready made business plan and help by becoming a franchisee of a big salon business brand. Don't have that much finances and commitment either?

Then, you can rent a booth, you can work as an apprentice or hairstylist at some established salon setup, start a small at your home, or a one man show mobile salon.

Array Of Services - Sky's The Limit!

Hair salon as a business, isn't just limited to making or doing a hairdo or hair color. People (myself included) who come for a haircut tend to loose up a few dollars on personal pampering either.

So, there is always a scope for multi service spa that includes manicures, pedicures, nail polishing & repair, massages, facials, skin cleansing & tanning, makeup and complete makeovers.

You can also up sell your customers with hair brushes & hair tools, hair styling products like gel, mousse, pomades, shampoos & conditioners, hair styling products like gel, mousse, pomades, skin, body & nail care products, makeup tools and products.

And the list goes on...

See You At The Top - Tips For Success

Aspire to make your business a successful and profitable venture?

There are a few key points or tips to remember.

• You must hire professionally qualified and trained staff i.e. qualified hair stylist, beautician, massage therapist and technician. Why? To avoid business liabilities and litigations.
• At the same time try to save on personnel costs.
• Whatever you do, try to keep your clients satisfied. One satisfied customer can trigger a viral word of mouth publicity for your business. Always remember this, no matter what.
• Ever had an experience of going to a salon and wondering whether or not the tools are clean and sterile? We all do. Offer a hygienic, clean and safe atmosphere for the client, so that she wishes to visit you again.
• Your are not a well known celebrity stylist. Are you? Try to choose the best possible and busiest location possible, for your salon.
• Keep an edge over your competitors by offering multiple services under one roof. Would you like going to a different place each for your hairdo, face massage, manicure and pedicure? Customers need and prefer convenience.

Wish you all the good luck in your hair salon business.

Jump to top
Return back from Hair Salon to Hair Fad Home