Opening a salon is expensive, especially if you’re planning on renting out a space—you won’t just have to cover the legal expenses, payroll, and equipment, but rent as well. By opening a salon out of your house, you cut down on this cost and give yourself more freedom; for instance, since you own the space, you can customize it without concern.
Moreover, since your expenses aren’t as high, you have the freedom to give clients a better deal! As you prepare to open your at-home salon, begin assessing what to consider before starting an at-home salon and keep yourself prepared by understanding the essentials.
Know the Laws
Before you start buying your salon equipment and begin intriguing customers, ensure opening an at-home business is legal. Some states and counties allow this with the proper permits, while others don’t, since meeting the cosmetology qualifications in an at-home salon is challenging.
Gather the Permits and Licenses
Once you’ve contacted your state’s cosmetology board and found out whether or not opening a business out of your home is legal, begin gathering the certificates, permits, and licenses required by your state and county.
You’ll have to get registered as a business to ensure you’re taxed accurately. Additionally, consider getting insurance for your salon; homeowner’s insurance won’t cover it.
Find the Space
After familiarizing yourself with your area’s legalities, find a space in your home that’ll make the perfect salon—and keep customers in mind as you do. For example, on days and times you’re expecting clients, keep your driveway clear so they have a space to park.
Consider the Clients Experience
As you begin selecting a space inside your room, consider using a spare room or the basement. Having a designated area for your business is ideal since you can dedicate it to your salon and keep all your equipment organized. Devoting a defined area to your business also gives you more flexibility to decorate it in a way that reflects your brand. Repaint the walls and hang a few pictures on the walls!
As you decide on a space, make sure of a few things. These include making sure clients don’t feel claustrophobic, you have comfortable furniture and an available bathroom, and a rinse bowl with proper plumbing.
Although you’re opening a shop inside of your home, you should never sacrifice the comfort of your clients—try living out their experience as you plan your space.
Purchase the Essentials
Once you’ve found the perfect space, it’s finally time to start decorating with accents, mirrors, and furniture as well as buying all the essential equipment and supplies.
Get the Best Equipment
Ensure you keep your salon professional with all the right equipment, such as:
- Styling chair
- Hair-styling station
- Shampoo bowl
- Chairs
- Mirrors
- Standing hairdryer
Each of these serves a different purpose. Any salon must get the job done right. If you’re looking to save space, consider buying an all-purpose styling chair. Salon Equipment Center sells high-quality equipment for your at-home salon that’s fairly priced!
Stock up On Supplies
Additionally, keep yourself prepared with the right supplies. These include:
- Shampoo and conditioner
- Scissors
- Combs and brushes
- Styling tools
- Dye colors
- Styling products
Just like equipment, having the right supplies in your salon is essential to a successful business. As you purchase equipment and supplies, keep your clients in mind. Everyone has different hair types; while one type of shampoo works great for some clients, it’s not ideal for all.
Keep It Organized
You’re your own boss. As such, keep your equipment, supplies, and payments neatly organized. The money you make from your home business should remain separate from the house account so you can use it to restock inventory and purchase new equipment or other assets for the salon.
Respect your client’s time by managing your appointments appropriately; customers won’t want to sit around waiting if you double book them.
Keeping your supplies and equipment in a trolley to know where it is when as you serve clients. While this sounds obvious, it’s easy to overlook, especially on a busy day. In an efficient business, everything is where it belongs.
Market Yourself
It’s nearly time to open your at-home salon. Before you open your doors, make sure you market yourself to the public. If you’re currently working in a salon, inform your clients of this change as it gives them the freedom to decide whether they want to change salons or stylists.
If you need to pull in new clients, experts in the industry highly recommend using social media. Almost everyone has access to it, and it allows for free marketing. Get clients interested by setting yourself apart—consider making comfort part of your brand with a homey feel.
Use Your Network
Don’t be afraid of speaking up and asking family and friends for help as you post about your new business; create a page on Facebook and Instagram and ask them to ‘like’ it. Creating a page allows you to show off your talents as a fantastic stylist and catch public attention.
As you begin using social media, remember to consistently update your pages. Set a day on the calendar so you can create new posts at least once a week. This make your pages look active.
Make a Website
Designing a personal website is another great marketing strategy for your business. Most businesses have websites, so don’t overlook getting one yourself. As you begin creating your website, keep your brand in mind. Include any colors or logos on the page. Your website should also consist of:
- Offered services
- Service prices
- Your address and phone number
- Appointment schedules
- Photos of your work
This is critical information that clients will search for as they consider receiving your service. If this information is hard to find or the site is challenging to navigate, clients will be less inclined to seek out your services. Keep your website user-friendly; consider consulting a web expert to inspect the site’s quality before posting to the public.
Priced Accordingly
Set your prices accordingly. While you want competitive prices, don’t overprice your services or sell yourself short. As you evaluate your pricing, take time, products, and service into account and ensure you aren’t spending more than you’re making.
Seasoned stylists recommend those new to the industry start with low prices and gradually increase them as they build up their clientele and reputation as a high-end salon. Charge your clients similarly to other salons.
As you prepare yourself to open your at-home business, remember what to consider before starting an at-home salon: keep yourself prepared by researching the legal requirements and keeping the customer’s experience in mind as you establish a space and build a website. Fill your at-home salon with high-end equipment by shopping at Salon Equipment Center!
Remember, even though you’re opening up a shop at home, you’re no different than any other business. So, charge your clients appropriately for your service and make customers feel comfortable as you maintain a professional environment.
