Opening a salon can be an exciting time. Finally, after years of cosmetology school and practice, you’re ready to venture out on your own and take the leap. While this can be exciting, it can also be stressful with so much to do. There’s buying the equipment, advertising, mapping out plumbing, and much more to make your business successful, but there is no need to worry. Below, you will find a checklist for successfully opening your salon. Following these tips will have you open and ready to style customers in no time.
Making a Plan for Your Business
It is essential to have an excellent foundation to start this new adventure. Work on your brand and how you want your establishment to look. Taking the time to list out what you want your salon to be and the services you’ll offer takes much guesswork out of the process and sets you up for success.
Finding the Perfect Location
You’ll want to look for a location with the room you need for services. For example, you don’t want a small shop if you plan to have nail services because you will need space for the pedicure chairs. These salon pedicure chairs will also involve separate plumbing that you will need wherever your location is. Think of what is convenient for you and a hot spot for visiting clients.
Buying All Equipment
Now that you have a location and a plan, it is time to buy all the necessary equipment. This is everything from building signage to hair dryers. Illuminated, durable exterior signage with three-dimensional letters can improve your salon’s visibility even from a distance. When looking into buying different equipment like shampoo stations and salon pedicure chairs, make sure you buy eight to 10 weeks before your opening date so you have plenty of time to set up and be ready for opening day. You don’t want to experience shipping delays and open without having all the necessary equipment.
Bringing in Employees
Now that you have your location and equipment ready, it is time to expand and bring in employees. How many employees you decide to bring in will depend on your goals. Positions to think about are fellow hairdressers, nail techs, and a secretary who can keep appointments organized and on track. Think of the things you hold dear to you and the values you have when looking for employees so when you go through the hiring process, you can hire like-minded individuals so you click rather than clash.
Installing and Inspecting
When the equipment arrives, it will need to be professionally installed to ensure it is safe and working correctly. You may need to bring in either a plumber or electrician, if not both. Plumbers are crucial for getting any business ready because of the numerous types of equipment that involve plumbing. You will need sinks, salon pedicure chairs, and possibly even a washing machine for towels installed. Once everything is installed and in order, it is time for a final inspection.
Getting the Word Out
Now that the opening day is here, it is time to get the word out about your establishment. Think of looking at different platforms such as television commercials, radio commercials, and social media advertisements. Choosing social media to advertise has become extremely popular in the past few years. In addition, many salons now offer the option to book appointments online. This is the perfect way to show your business, introduce staff, and provide online appointments to customers.
Opening the Salon
Now that everything is in order, it is time to open the salon. Following these steps before opening your business will ensure that your shop is not only safe but successful. Have fun with clients and do specials to get more customer attention to the shop. The right signs and specials will always attract customers to your business. Remember to have fun now that the hard work is complete.