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What Comes Before Sales: Start-up Checklist for Every Hairdresser

Part of the reason behind the massive popularity and continuous growth of the salon and beauty industry—in addition to the practical purposes that they fulfill—is the significance people put on beauty all around. People don’t just go to a salon for a haircut or a trim. They go to salons because they want to look and feel beautiful.

And that is exactly why the salon industry is hardly ever going to be unproductive in terms of capital and revenue. Setting up a salon is a workable idea that will be sustainable in the long term, and there’s a lot that a nascent salon owner needs to know.

Is the Salon and Beauty Industry Really that Big?

In 2017, there were over 40,000 establishments functioning as hair and beauty salons. The number would have only increased this year, because the salon and beauty industry is growing at the speed of light. As of august 2017, the revenue earned by these establishments surpasses 44 billion dollars. On a global scale, the industry has seen a growth of 3%. These statistics point to two major findings: the first is that this is a big industry with big rewards and revenues to be earned; and the second is that numerous people all over the country are interested in starting a salon.

Starting a Salon: Space, Scissors, and Skilled Employees?

Of course, you need space for your venture, scissors for the butchering of hair, and skilled employees to carry out the butchering—but there’s so much more involved. When the purpose of roping in customers for the long term is principal, one has to think of the salon in terms of an investment as opposed to an outlet that brings them temporary compensation. A mammoth amount of planning goes into the process and the things one is required to do can range from one to many—usually many, never one. In the development and startup phase when there is much running to and fro and much huffing and puffing to be done, any outlet that helps you manage the excess work would help.

The greatest help in this case would be…

A Start-Up Checklist

Instantly making the whole procedure more efficient and doable, a startup checklist is a perfect little tag along: once you make the perfect startup checklist, you won’t have to go back to brainstorming again and again and wondering what you’ve missed.

Ideally, your startup checklist should include:

Legal Backups

Whether you’re establishing a salon or putting up any other business on board, it is imperative that you rope in a legal structure beforehand for rainy days. We’re not saying that you’re going to be sued by customers for sure, but the chances that you might have to face legal complications later on in your career are always 50-50, and it’s always better to be prepared.

If you are the sole proprietor and owner of the establishment, then you are more at risk since your person becomes subject to risk in case of a legal issue.

Get a Federal Tax Identification Number

The one thing you should never dismiss or brush off lightly is the IRS—or the Internal Revenue Service. Get a federal tax identification number to make yourself known to them. This will save you a great deal of trouble in dealing with taxes.

Select the Right Location for Your Gig

Directly affecting your salon’s business, it’s always all about the location, location, location. Your salon should be situated in an area that is feasible for customers to come to, preferably in the center of the city so that a large number of people from all over the city can be brought it.

Additionally, take note of the surroundings of the location of your salon: is there bound to be more traffic on the road outside your establishment? Are there going to be many pedestrians out there?

If yes, then you’re in a good place. With the perfect sign board announcing succinctly which services you offer, you can easily advertise your establishment to passers-by as they walk or drive by your salon.

More to consider is the space for parking, especially if you’re expecting customers from all over the city. Customers are likelier to visit salons that have lesser hassles (such as a parking space) than they are prone to take up troubles for getting a haircut.

Make it a place that they would want to visit both because it is feasible and because it is practical and easy to drop by.

Get Yourself Covered: Don’t Forget the License and Insurance

In order to be identified as a person and known as the citizen of a country you don’t just need to be born there and lived there. You’ll have to keep paper proof of your citizenship with you in the form of an identity card—which is exactly what salons and other beauty establishments have to carry as well.

You can obtain your license from the Department of Cosmetology in your state, or from any other agency that provides licenses in your area. An appointment will need to be scheduled and the Department will send a representative to inspect and scrutinize your location, and will determine if your location is good to go. You’ll need licensing for all the service that you plan on offering.

Additionally, your establishment will have to fulfill the government’s criteria for sanitation and codes (fire and electrical). Always discuss your insurance with your broker beforehand and make sure that you understand perfectly the mechanics of the procedure.

There aren’t that many cases of fires or the like in salons but it goes without saying that you’ll be using a lot of equipment that will run on electricity and therefore the chances of an accident happening are ever-present. Prepare beforehand because accidents to happen and because pre-armed is pre-warned.

Get the Hardware

All the equipment that you need and the required furniture should be made a list of and bought. Ideally, you should have a plan of how you aim to structure and design the place and then but the equipment, because you’ll have a better idea that way. Chairs, desks, dividers, and a great many mirrors is the staple. Other trinkets such as bowls and towels are not to be missed. The tools of the trade such as driers and the rest are hardly going to be missed, but you should double check just in case. Buy in bulk, and make sure you have a good number lying around so that no customer will have to wait for his turn.

Hire a plumber to properly install the appliances. A computer is a must-have on the premise. Make sure that you install management software and have a working internet connection. Other things not to be missed are a phone, a card machine, and a cash register.

Lastly, the Supplies

Shampoos and conditioners and scissors and brushes are all you think of when thinking of starting a salon. Get many and get the best quality that you can find and afford, and always go with a trusted brand. If it’s a new brand that you’re intent on promoting, make sure you run a test session first.

Need Extra Marketing Ideas?

Starting a salon is a taxing and demanding process, requiring much deliberation, thought, and planning. In addition to having the right equipment for work a salon owner must work out a clever, workable marketing strategy, be creative with his ideas, and look for long term goals.

Technical work is involved and the hiring of skilled employees is at bay. Most importantly, one has to work out how to rope in clients and customers, for which purpose a salon owner needs to brainstorm or have someone offer innovative marketing ideas and solutions. Salon Income Booster has many such offers, all aimed at helping you generate more income and increase the revenue that you receive from your outlet. On our blog you can find numerous useful blogs and countless tips which will help boost your business and our e-book will teach you all that there is to know about starting a salon and how to run it smoothly.