4 Tips for Running a Successful Salon – Beauty is big business in the UK. The lockdown that came as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic saw a major spike in the industry’s popularity – but even before then, there were more than forty-four thousand beauty and hairdressing businesses in the country. It’s an industry that’s highly competitive – but if you know what you’re doing, it’s possible to establish yourself, and to draw in a reliable income.
To succeed in this industry, you’ll not only need the practical skills to deliver great service, but all of the business acumen that goes along with it. Let’s run through four tips that will give your new business the best chance of prospering.
Financing
Setting up shop as a salon involves overheads and one-time investments that mobile beauticians don’t have to deal with. You’ll need to make sure that you have enough liquidity (that is, cash) to pay all your expenses, staff and bills, and to give your customers change. This might justify applying for a loan to help you start. You might also apply for a loan later, if you decide that your business is ready to expand. You should have come up with a business plan which will help you to work out whether your business could benefit from extra investment.
Recruitment and Training
When the salon gets busy, you’ll be glad to have an extra pair of capable hands available. That means recruiting staff you can rely on, who won’t bring your business into disrepute. Have a suitable onboarding process in place; this will allow you to ensure that everyone you bring in can hit the ground running.
Effectively training your staff means effectively communicating with them as well. This in turn means being clear about what you want from them, while still developing a rapport. A salon can be a hectic environment, with plans changing constantly. Having a culture of clear and effective communication will help you to avoid problems. Printed materials, like booklets and posters, can be hugely helpful.
Attracting Clients
How you market your business is critical. Make sure that your salon is listed in relevant directories, and that you have a strong presence on social media and the web. Bear in mind that some of your most effective marketers are going to be the customers that you manage to satisfy. By making sure you maintain a high standard of service, you’ll give customers a reason to come back – and to tell their friends, too.
Set Your Prices
When you’re just starting out, it can be difficult to know how much to charge. And even established businesses sometimes get it wrong. This means doing your research and charging by the minute for every service you offer. Know your rate andknow how long everything you do is going to take
Poppy Watt