There is so much to consider when renting a salon suite, that's why 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 design a logo that conveys your desired brand image.
Once you've established your brand image, you’ll want to make sure that it lines up with your needs. Determine your budget and space requirements while taking into consideration 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 when it comes to opening a new business.
Need Help? Buy-Rite Beauty offers everything you need to start your business with gorgeous designs and colors to set you apart from the competition.
Step 2: Choose Your Location and Obtain Needed Licensing
Obtaining the correct licensing to own your small business is required by law. All 50 states require you to hold a professional cosmetology license issued by the state in which your salon is located. This is to ensure that you've met all of your state's training requirements and that you are a fully licensed beauty professional.
You will also likely need a business license and/or a tax ID. We recommend consulting a tax professional beforehand to ensure that you are fully aware of all tax implications involved.
Another important step is setting up a business bank account that is separate from your personal account. A business bank account makes it easier to ensure that all funds are allocated correctly.
For additional information or resources regarding required licensing, contact the Board of Cosmetology or Department of Public Health for your respective state. They can provide contact information for the departments that oversee each specific license.
This might sound daunting, but it is doable! Just be patient and ask questions.
After obtaining all of the required licensing, 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've completed all of the steps above, you're ready to sign your lease!
Step 3: Setting Up Your Salon Suite
So, you’ve done the hard part - you've got your licensing in order, picked the perfect location, signed a lease, and now you have your salon suite all to yourself. What's next? DESIGN!
First, determine what you have versus what you need. Many salon suite locations will provide you will basic furniture and equipment to get started. Make a list of all of the items you still need and where they fall in your budget.
If you are in need of larger items such as backwash units, styling chairs, or styling stations, be sure to factor in the time it will take for these items to ship to you.
Buy-Rite Beauty has a large selection of equipment to choose from, many of which are in stock and ready to ship in as little as 2 to 3 business days!
Next, renting your own salon suite means that you have the freedom to choose your own products! Consider products that not only perform well, but that align with your values and meet the specific needs of your clientele. Building a professional relationship with reputable suppliers is a great way to ensure that you're always stocked up on your favorite products.
Last, but certainly not least - payment processing. Being your own boss and controlling your own income is great, but it's important to determine how you will accept payment for your services. In today's world, cash is used less and less, with most people preferring to pay by card. Before your first client, ensure that you are setup to receive electronic payments via credit or debit card and that transactions will deposit to your business account. Some options to consider are Square, Clover, and SumUP. These are designed to work for small businesses and can make balancing the books much easier.
Step 4: Installing Equipment and Setting Up
An important and often over looked part of the process is shipping. Most salon equipment is large and heavy, meaning it will likely be shipped via a freight carrier, this is especially important to consider when placing a large order to furnish your new salon. You will likely need to coordinate with the trucking company and delivery driver to schedule a delivery window.
At Buy-Rite Beauty we pride ourselves on delivering a service that’s fast, affordable, and communicative.
Once all of your new equipment has been delivered, it's time for installation. We recommend hiring a licensed plumber, electrician, and/or handyman to install your new equipment. This ensures that everything is installed correctly and safely and meets all applicable local code requirements.
Step 5: Develop Your Marketing Strategy
Advertising is another important step in establishing your business and a strong online presence is the quickest way to network with potential clients. Consider setting up a website or curating a social meda profile for your salon.
This is a great way to showcase your work while letting your personality shine through!
Optics play a large role in the beauty industry and having a good marketing strategy is a great way to set yourself apart from the competition.
Step 6: Final Touches
Your salon equipment has been delivered and 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!
Now is a great time to do one final check to ensure that you are ready for your first client. Every part of your salon suite is important to the client experience, so double-check your product stock, ensure that decor is in place, and that all of your equipment is functioning properly.
Once you've completed a final check, all that's left is to cut the ribbon and open for business!!
Need more? Check out our Top 6 Tips for Opening Your Own Salon Suite
