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Opening your own salon
Dream of being your own boss? Opening your own hair or beauty salon is hard work but the rewards are plentiful. Here are our top 10 tips to prepare you for the challenges ahead.Industry Knowledge and Experience
You should have a strong understanding of how the industry works, the kind of salon you want to open and what services you would offer to clients. Previous salon management experience would also be beneficial, as would qualifications in salon management or business.
Business Plan
A good business plan is essential and should break down all the information about your proposed salon, from day-to-day operations to financing. Show that you understand the industry. Think about the kind of salon you want to open. Is it a high-end, luxury spa or a small, traditional barbershop?
The Costs
Seriously consider the costs of opening a salon as these can range widely. Are you going to rent or buy? Would you rather take over an existing hairdressers? How about a franchise? Do you have funding in place or will you need to borrow money from a bank? Remember, you will also need to pay staff, utility bills and taxes and buy equipment, signs and products. Work out your overheads and calculate how much money you would need to make to break even or make a profit.
Location
Do your homework. What kind of clients do you want to attract? Does this location suit your personality or brand? Can you afford this location? Is it convenient for clients and staff? Does this street get much footfall? Is there parking nearby? Are there parking charges? Your salon should be as visible as possible, preferably on a busy street, easily accessible by foot, car or public transport, rather than tucked away down a backstreet. Is the street well lit? This will help clients feel safe and comfortable when visiting your salon outside of 9-5 work hours.
Space
Purchasing or renting a larger salon you can expand into may sound appealing but will be more costly. Do you need that much space? Can you afford it? With smaller premises, make sure you have adequate space to create a relaxing atmosphere and that people can move around freely. Remember, clever interior design, such as using mirrors, can make smaller areas feel more spacious.
Competition
Research the local competition. What services do they offer? What do they charge? How long have they been established? Is the area already saturated with similar businesses? Make sure there is a gap in the market for you.
Unique Selling Point
Figure out what makes you different from the other hairdressers or beauty salons in the area. What can you offer clients to help you stand out from the crowd? Unique selling points can include bespoke treatments, new techniques, staff experience, particular products, atmosphere, promotions or superior customer service.
The Law
Consider legal structure, insurance, trade organisation, governing bodies and health and safety requirements. Qualifications, such as a degree in Salon Management or Business, may also help you, as could a mentor. Do not be afraid to approach people who run their own salons or other businesses for advice.
Staff
You may be looking to employ new staff or already have a team if you are buying an existing salon. Either way, ensure all employees are suited to your business. You may also have the option to employ an apprentice to train. Click here to see the training courses we offer.
Design
Design your salon around the clientèle you want and to fit your budget. What can you afford? Will you buy or lease salon furniture? What colours or styles would appeal to your clients? How can you create an atmosphere to relax them?
Freelance Focus
Freelance Focus, is a one stop resource for anyone working as a freelancer or thinking of going freelance in the hair & beauty industry, which includes a FREE downloadable guide filled with advice, useful insights, experiences and tips (from experienced freelancers) to help you understand the steps needed to make the right choices for you.
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Introducing Chantelle, a talented beautician, hair extension specialist and proud owner of ‘Chantelle’s Beautique’. We sit down with Chantelle as she tells us how she started out in the industry, her top tips for becoming self-employed, struggles she faced and overcame along the way and her favourite products that she can’t live without!
My treatment room is based in my garden at home and I offer a full range of Hair and Beauty treatments specialising in skin care, brows & hair extensions. My clients love my set up and really appreciate the little touches like being able to park with ease and having more of a cosy experience away from the hustle and bustle of a busy salon. As well as running my own business at home, I also enjoy teaching others on their journey starting out in the trade with my own accredited courses at home as another branch of my business called ‘The Hair and Beauty Training Beautique’. You may also see me in your local Capital Hair & Beauty as I also tutor for one of their training providers ‘Face Forward’ offering brow lamination and lash lift and tint courses.
Meet Sophie, owner of ‘Sophie’s Lashes & Beauty’ which she has been running now for over 7 years!
Sophie gained a wealth of experience working in the industry from her background working in prestigious 5 hotel & spa and salon settings which lead her up to starting a business of her own. We talk about all things beauty and the curved tweezers that she can’t live without!
Hi Sophie, tell us a little bit about your journey and how you go into the industry and what lead up to starting out on your own?
I gained a lot of knowledge from working in different settings from working with a big teams in a 5 star hotels and spas to smaller beauty salon environments. I gained so much knowledge from working in both settings and although it was hard work and long hours.
I started out by working in a few different 5 star hotels with spas and a salons where I gained all my knowledges and experiences from each one to put together for my own business! It was hard work and long hours all the practice paid off. It was actually one of my clients I saw regularly in the salon I worked at that said I should set up on my own and gave me the confidence to go self-employed and I’ve not looked back since!
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As professionals in the hairdressing industry, we're well aware of the constant innovation occurring in our field. Our clients love to dramatically alter their look with the ever-changing trends and we do everything we can to prioritise the health of their hair. Bond-building treatments have long been a staple in salons to address this need. However, allow us to present the latest advancement: biomimetic hair science and K18!
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For centuries, the haircare industry relied on cosmetic chemistry to conceal damage. Historical solutions like oils and conditioners were designed to sit on the surface of the hair, providing a temporary fix by improving its appearance and manageability. However, these solutions fell short of addressing hair's health at its core.
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Following the natural structure of hair, the biologically active peptide is considered natural. Unlike traditional bonding agents, it is not rinsed away by water or shampoo, making K18 a genuine and enduring remedy for damaged hair. Healthy hair originates in the salon, and K18 believes its influence starts at the salon chair and radiates outward. While K18 is suitable for all hair types and services, the most significant improvements are seen in damaged hair.
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Last year, Brits faced their fair share of hair and skin woes.Topping the list was the recurring issue of dry skin, affecting a significant 29% of the population. Not too far behind was hair thinning/loss, troubling over a fifth (22%) of us, while acne and breakouts are also a cause for concern, affecting 19% of survey respondents. And let's not forget about skin inflammation (12%) and eczema (11%).
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Skin Cycling 101
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