Starting a Hair Salon Business

Starting a hair salon business requires a lot more than coming up with a clever name and deciding where to locate the shop. Whether you are interested in a high-end salon or a family-friendly budget salon, there are several similar steps to take to ensure your hair salon business is a success.

Small Business Startup
All small businesses require a detailed plan before they can become a reality. A business plan is a written outline of the economic viability of a business. It must include a mission statement, allocation of resources, market analysis, a plan for strategy and implementation, startup budget and a break-even analysis. Unless you are lucky enough to finance the business on your own, you'll need the business plan to secure startup costs from a lender. Once you have the lender's approval, you'll be able to make real plans for your hair salon business.

Location And Equipment
For a hair salon business, location is essential for success. Customers generally want to add haircuts to their list of errands to run, not as a result of a special trip. Look for prime real estate in shopping centers and other retail venues for the convenience of your customers. The equipment for a hair salon, such as salon chairs, sinks, dryers, cash registers, hair salon software for appointments, decorations and hair care products, must be enough to meet the estimated numbers of customers you are expecting.

Staff
Because a hair salon is ultimately a service industry, you'll have to hire hair stylists with proper training and certification. Depending on what kind of clientele you wish to attract, seek out employees who will meet those needs. If the salon is a fun and funky establishment, look for workers who are younger with training in less conventional hair salon methods. A spa-centered salon owner may wish to hire more experienced hair stylists with additional skills, such as makeup and nail certifications.

Marketing
Getting the word out about your salon, promoting the value of the brand and ensuring that customers return again and again is the main focus of the hair salon owner. Retaining long-term customers and attracting new ones is the only way a hair salon will thrive. Focus on a memorable name and slogan that imparts the atmosphere and value of your salon. Create a Web site for the hair salon, and begin communicating with clients via e-mail marketing. Send out coupons to existing customers, and list your business on the many online directories in your area. Traditional advertising will benefit a new hair salon as well: Use radio, television and newspaper ad space to promote your business. Direct mail and business pages in the phone book are additional advertising venues.