There is so much to consider when renting a salon suite. Buy-Rite Beauty has created a complete checklist that will guide you through the process from start to finish.
Step 1: Define Your Vision and Align That With Your Needs
Before diving into the technicalities of opening a salon suite, you’ll want to outline your business vision. Determine the type of services you want to offer, your target audience, and the ambiance you wish to create. You will also want to create your brand before you get started. Design a logo for your business and how you want your salon to look. Buy-Rite Beauty offers everything you need to start your business with gorgeous designs and colors to set you apart from the competition.
Now that you know what you want your brand to look like, you’ll want to make sure that it lines up with your needs. Determine your budget, the space you will need, and any time constraints you may have. Creating a business plan that outlines all of these things will take a lot of the uncertainty out of the planning. Just remember that you can never plan too much to open a new business.
Step 2: Choose Your Location and Obtain Needed Licenses
Obtaining the correct licenses to own your small business is required by law. Each state has different requirements, but you will definitely need your professional cosmetology license which you should have already. This just states that you have met the required standards of your state to become a beauty professional. You will also need to consider a business license and a tax ID. You might want to consider speaking with a tax professional beforehand to ensure that you are fully aware of all tax implications involved. You will also need to set up a business bank account that is separate from your personal account to ensure that the funds are getting allocated correctly.
If you are unsure of all of the requirements you need to meet, simply get in touch with your local government. They will give you contact information for the departments that handle each specific license. This might sound daunting, but it is doable! Just be patient and ask questions.
Once you have all of the required licenses, you will need to find your salon suite! If you need guidance with finding the right location to rent, check out this guide. Once you have decided on your perfect location, all that’s left to do is to sign the lease!
Step 3: Setting Up Your Salon Suite
So, you’ve gotten through the hard part of getting your licenses and now you have your salon suite all to yourself. You now get to focus on designing! First, determine what you need versus what was provided. Many salon suite locations will provide you will basic furniture and equipment to get started. Make a list of all the things you are lacking and where that falls in your budget. If you are in need of major equipment such as backwash units, styling chairs, or styling stations, you might want to factor in the time it will take for these items to ship to you. Buy-Rite Beauty has so many options for all of these pieces of equipment with many items already in stock and ready to ship. You can create the salon suite of your dreams on a budget that will keep your clients comfortable.
Additionally, renting your own salon suite means that you get to choose the products that you want to use! Now you have the freedom to choose products that align with your values and meet the needs of your specific clients. You will want to begin to develop a relationship with reputable suppliers to ensure that you are always stocked with your beauty items.
You are now looking forward to the success of your salon suite and your ability to control your income. However, you will want to consider how your clients will actually get the money to you. In today's world, cash is used less and less. Most of your clients will likely want to pay with a credit card. You will need to ensure that you are set up for this and that the money will go to the appropriate place once you complete a transaction. Some options to consider are Square Reader, Clover Go, and SumUP. These are designed for small businesses and can make balancing the books much easier.
Step 4: Installing Equipment and Setting Up
If you are going to be completely furnishing your salon suite then you are likely going to need to coordinate with a delivery carrier to schedule an appointment to receive all of your new items. This is especially important since these items are usually large and heavy. At Buy-Rite Beauty we pride ourselves on delivering a service that’s fast, affordable, and communicative. The next thing to find is a plumber and handyman to help with installation. Having a professional install your equipment will ensure that it is done correctly and safely.
Develop Your Marketing Strategy
As you well know, advertising your salon means getting online. Establishing your business on social media is the quickest way to get the word out. The challenge with this is that you are now competing with every other salon business in your area and beyond. You will need to figure out what sets you apart online and really dedicate time to reaching people.
Another thing to consider is setting up your own website. There are many free website builders available to you to set up a simple website to direct clients to for information on pricing, services, and how to find you. Having a great marketing strategy can really set you apart in this industry, so make sure you dedicate a large portion of your time to developing this.
The tried and true way to get the word out in your community is to post fliers in local business shops, just make sure that you get their permission first. Placing an ad in the local publications can also be very effective. The first push is the hardest, but you want everyone to know about your grand opening.
Final Touches
Your salon equipment has arrived and is installed, you have clients on the books, and your suite looks just as you imagined it. Congratulations to you, it’s time to open the doors! Before you take your first client, just ensure that everything is in place and you are fully prepped to take on business. Make sure that all of your equipment is functioning correctly. Every part of your salon suite is important to the client experience, so double-check your product stock and ensure that the decor is in place. Once you are confident that you are ready, cut the ribbon and open the doors for business!
