Once you’ve graduated from cosmetology school, you’re well on your way toward a successful career as a hairdresser. Your next step is to open a salon, something you can do right in your home if you go about it the right way. There’s a lot to take care of when opening your own salon, from securing the proper licenses to obtaining all the necessary equipment. With careful planning and constant attention to detail, however, you should be able to make your salon dream a reality. Here’s what to keep in mind as you get your home salon ready for the grand opening.
Confirm the Legality of Your Proposed Business
There’s nothing so tragic as going through all the challenges of getting your business off the ground, only to have it shut down within a few days of opening for failing to adhere to local rules and regulations. Talk to your local town or city hall to make sure there’s no zoning requirements prohibiting you from opening your business. Also, double check that you’re not part of a homeowners’ association with prohibitive regulations.
Set Aside a Special Space in Your Home
While customers will recognize that your business is a “home salon,” you still need to be professional and provide a true salon experience. In order for this to happen, you’ll have to designate a part of your home to be a full-time salon. If you just stick customers in the laundry room with domestic items all around them, they’re going to doubt your level of professionalism.
Invest in Legitimate Salon Furniture and Equipment
To best serve your customers and create a professional vibe, you’re going to need a full set of decent salon equipment. Make sure you have everything you need before accepting your first customer. You’ll also have to invest in certain necessary features like a decent mirror and a reclining salon chair.
Start Small, With an Eye Toward Future Growth
Don’t bankrupt yourself by going too big, too fast. Ambition is great, but you should seek to keep your expenses down during your first months in business. Once you’ve developed a customer base and settled your finances, you can start to increase the scale of your operation.
Preparing your home salon is all about sticking to a safe, sound strategy. If you keep these tips in mind, you should turn your salon into a successful business.