6 steps towards setting up your own beauty salon

As with any business, opening your own beauty salon is no easy task. There are so many factors you need to take into consideration, from finances and location to employees and clientele. Here are six things you’ll need to take into account as you try to navigate the process.

1. Finances

Figure out how much money it will take to set up your business. Will you need to take out a loan? Will you have enough to cover personal expenses during this financially trying time? Try to make a budget to estimate how much it will cost to run your business day-to-day, and also to plan out how much you’re going to charge for your services. Find out how your tax situation will change when you set up a small business.

2. Location

As with any business, finding the right location is crucial. If your shop is too remote you may not be able to attract customers. Locate your business in the heart of a CBD, however, and you may encounter other obstacles, such as high rent and increased competition. That being said, it will be in your best interest to find a location where foot traffic is high and there’s plenty of parking nearby.

3. Hire the right personnel

You should endeavor to hire only the most experienced, most qualified beauticians and stylists available. Certain cosmetic procedures need to be carried out by experts to avoid health problems. It’s also important that everyone working at your salon has excellent people skills.

4. Atmosphere

All businesses in the service industry, and salons in particular, prosper only when they have a clean, comfortable atmosphere. Make sure your staff maintain high standards of personal and professional hygiene and that all of your equipment and furniture is well-maintained and safe. Choose your lighting and background music carefully; these are things that go unnoticed if they’re done well but are glaringly obvious, and very off-putting, if they’re done poorly.

5. Advertising

It can be difficult to identify the right avenues to market your new salon but social media sites like Facebook and Instagram are generally a good place to start. If you have the means, a well-designed website can also be a great tool, not only for marketing but for managing your bookings and communicating with potential customers. It might also be worthwhile to take out ads in local newspapers and radio stations.

6. Customer care

Keeping your clients satisfied is the most surefire way of maintaining a successful business. For an operation like a beauty salon, word of mouth is perhaps the most powerful tool when it comes to promotion and getting new customers. Take customers’ complaints or suggestions into account and do everything you can to mould your business around their needs.

Follow these steps and you’ll be well on your way to success. For more advice on a whole range of topics, check out our other blog posts.

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All the best,

The Team at GMIB.ie