How to open a beauty salon – step by step? Guide for start-ups in the beauty industry.
Beauty salons play a key role in the beauty industry, because they offer a range of care and beauty treatments for face and body. Let’s see how to open a beauty salon – step by step!
1. Market analysis and development of a salon concept
The first step will be to conduct a thorough market analysis and to create a concept of a salon.
Research on competitors and identification of a niche
Every entrepreneur should start own business activity from research on competitors in its industry. Opening a beauty salon in a place where other salons are already operating may result in a decline in the projected profits due to the necessity of competing for customers.
An excellent way to derive high profits from running own salon may be to fill a market niche by offering specific services that meet the needs of a narrow group of customers, for example with the use of a particular device or cosmetics.
Identification of services and products offered by a salon
Before starting a business activity in the beauty industry, one should specify which services and products will be available in the salon. Therefore, it is necessary to get acquainted with various offers of companies operating in the beauty industry and match them with its business idea.
Creation of a consistent image of the salon
A beauty salon should have a consistent image because it has an impact on how the salon will be perceived by customers. The image of a beauty salon is shaped above all by its name and visual identification, including a logo and a colourway.
2. Development of a business plan
Although there is no necessity to develop a business plan, we recommend preparing it, because it helps to plan further steps connected with opening and running a business in the beauty industry. Having a business plan enables to obtain loans and funding for starting a business activity.
Financial projections and profitability analysis
A business plan of a beauty salon should contain financial data concerning the activity, including financial projections and profitability analyses. On their basis it is possible to assess how much money is needed for establishing and running a company and determine the projected profits.
Marketing strategy and promotion of a salon
Effective promotion is important in the beauty industry. Therefore, a business plan should also include a marketing strategy connected with advertising a salon. Such strategy may combine various methods, for example online or outdoor ads, organisation of promotion campaigns, creation of loyalty programmes.
Plan for development and potential business scaling
Moreover, a business plan should include information on the company’s development, including extension of a scope of services, purchasing new equipment, opening further premises.
3. Selection of a location and negotiations on the conditions of lease
If you plan to open a beauty salon, you are also required to select a place for conducting your activity and to agree upon all related issues.
Analysis of accessibility and attractiveness of a location
It is worth reviewing various offers of real properties and select them considering the future location and the area of commercial space required. The salon should be conveniently located and should provide a space necessary for conducting business activity.
Negotiating a lease agreement and possible adaptations of premises
In case of leasing a real property for running a salon it is worth to negotiate the best possible lease conditions with the lessor. Remember that the premises may require an adaptation, which must first be agreed with the owner.
Obtaining all the necessary permits
If you want to open a beauty salon, you must obtain the necessary permits, including a permit of the State Sanitary Inspector for conducting business activity in the specific premises.
4. Equipment of a salon and interior design
The beauty industry uses diverse types of equipment and cosmetics for treatments. Hence, it is necessary to ensure that a salon is properly furnished and arranged, so that it can be used by customers in a comfortable and safe way.
Purchase of equipment, furniture and accessories
A beauty salon must have equipment, furniture and accessories, depending upon the types of treatment provided therein. It is worthwhile to ensure their high quality, because only then they will be ergonomic and will serve their users for a long time.
Selection of aesthetics and decor consistent with the salon’s concept
The equipment of a beauty salon should be consistent with the previously created image of the company.
Ergonomics and comfort of work
A salon should be equipped in a way satisfying the conditions of ergonomics and be comfortable both to its employees and customers. Remember that a salon must meet the sanitary and hygienic requirements of the State Sanitary Inspectorate.
5. Employment of staff
A beautician may work alone in a beauty salon, but if you are planning to provide various kinds of treatment for a larger number of customers, it is worth to employ some staff.
Recruitment and selection of appropriate candidates
It is necessary to prepare job offers and select appropriate candidates with proper skills and professional experience.
Staff training and implementation of customer service procedures
The staff should be trained and become acquainted with the principles of customer service before the commencement of work.
6. Introduction of an offer of services and products
At this stage it is necessary to specify the details of the offer, i.e. the services provided and the products sold by the salon.
Cooperating with suppliers and negotiating the terms and conditions
It is necessary to get acquainted with various offers of suppliers and negotiate the best conditions of cooperation with them to get advantageous prices of products and equipment.
Determination of prices, promotions, and service packages
Afterwards, one should set the prices of services and products offered by the beauty salon. It will be a clever idea to create packages including various services.
Establishment of a system of booking and customer service
Customer service in a beauty salon is especially important. A viable choice will be the use of a computer system that facilitates the processes of booking management and customer service.
7. Promoting a salon and winning customers
Advertising is a trade lever, so it is worthwhile to combine the opening of a new beauty salon with its promotion.
Using social media and online marketing
Online marketing, including social media and positioning of websites, brings excellent effects of the promotion of a beauty salon. Hence, it is worth creating the salon’s website and promote it online.
Creation of attractive promotions and special offers
Such offers may attract even more customers, so it is worthwhile to prepare them and regularly introduce new ones.
Building relations with customers and customer loyalty
To win new customers and create their loyal group you should ensure high quality of customer service. To this end, dedicated computer systems and loyalty programmes may be used.
8. Performance monitoring and continuous improvement
Running a salon in the beauty industry also requires constant adaptation to constantly changing market conditions and customer expectations.
Analysis of customer satisfaction and collecting opinions
It’s important to regularly monitor customer opinions, which enables to conduct customer satisfaction surveys and introduce changes to increase the satisfaction level. To this end, you can use anonymous questionnaires and online opinions.
Deployment of improvements and innovations in the salon’s offer
To ensure constant competitiveness of your salon you should remember about deploying new improvements and innovations. For example, you should invest in new equipment and extend a portfolio of cosmetics.
Planning long-term development of a salon
However, you should not forget about long-term development of a salon, taking into account constantly changing market trends, in order to expand its offer and reach new customers.
Summary
Therefore, opening own beauty salon requires a number of steps to take. We hope that with this guide undertaking this challenge will be much easier!