Opening up a salon business is a great way to apply your passion for hair or beauty and become your own boss. Although, when you’re just starting out, it can all feel a bit overwhelming!
There is a LOT to think about including your service offering, business plan, location and more. It involves a great deal of planning and hard-work, but it’s also hugely rewarding and worthwhile.
To help you get started, we’ve picked out the key things to consider to ensure your salon is set up for success. As one of the world’s leading software providers for the hair and beauty industry, we know what we’re talking about!
Create a salon business plan
Creating a business plan should be the first step you make when setting up your business. Without it, you’d be pretty lost and a lot more likely to fail. Let’s face it, no one wants that!
So, make sure you spend plenty of time on this stage and consider ALL aspects of your business. Here are some of the key components you’ll need to include:
- Market analysis
Show an understanding of the ins and outs of the current market and outline your target customer.
- Competitive analysis
Demonstrate how well you stack up against your competitors.
- Breakdown of products and services
Give a detailed breakdown of the services you’ll offer and any products you intend to sell in the salon.
- Marketing plan
Identify how you’ll market your shiny new salon and attract those all-important customers!
- Financial projections
Calculate how much money you expect to make based on your market research.
This may seem like a daunting task, but trust us it will be worth it in the end!
Read up on laws and regulations
Laws and regulations vary depending on your location and salon type, so it’s essential to get all clued up.
Health and safety is a priority for every salon and you must comply with the legislation to protect your staff and clients. You should also clearly communicate your policy to staff and provide training.
With the ongoing outbreak of Covid-19, there are now many more health and safety issues to consider. Get up to speed with these as they evolve to ensure your salon adheres to them.
Don’t forget to apply for a premise licence with your local council, enabling you to legally run the salon and carry out treatments – a must!
Get the word out there
Once you have your business plan in place and you’re all set, it’s time to get marketing! After all, a salon is nothing without a loyal client base.
As well as getting in touch with any existing clients, you’ll want to attract new ones to get those appointments filling up. Ensure your website is up to scratch and makes it EASY, not difficult for clients to book!
Work out which social media platform your target audience is using and get savvy with it. Visual platforms such as Instagram and Pinterest are perfect for portraying the salon’s vibe through images and videos.
Psst! Make sure to check out our recent blog on everything you need to know about social media marketing for more tips.
Invest in the right salon software
Another key thing to think about when opening up a salon is the type of salon software you choose to help run your business. It will not only help you to run the salon smoothly but will also make your life easier – win win!
Shortcuts software solutions are a game-changer for you and your business. We’ll help you run a tight ship at your front desk, motivate and inspire your team and manage your clients effectively.
We provide a wide range of features to manage appointments, stock, resources, reporting and more. Everything a new salon owner needs!
If you’re interested in learning more, get in touch with us or book a demo.
