There is no better time than now to open a salon or spa. The wellness industry is booming as more of us are beginning to take our mental health and well-being more seriously. In this article, we will discuss 5 things you need to know before opening a Salon or a Spa.
Whilst launching any new business is seen as a challenge, it can be even more complex when it comes to something like a salon or spa.
Whilst you might have a million and one ideas, it is always best to be as realistic as possible in order to be successful.
There are quite a few things to think about, from creating a business plan and working out finances to looking at the equipment you will need and overall inventory.
Not only that, will you be hiring any extra staff, and offering a drink and light food menu?
There are so many things to think about before you can even get to the part where you are working in the salon or spa each day.
So, with the above in mind, let’s take a look at the 5 things you need to know before opening up a salon or spa.
Having Passion Matters
It is going to be a long journey before you can even think about opening those doors to customers, and at some point, you may find yourself feeling quite worn down.
However, having a passion for what you do, is going to be the driving force that keeps you motivated.
Because of this, you want to keep your vision for the business clear. This way, you can stay upbeat about the whole project, as well as see the business come to fruition.
Just remember to keep to realistic expectations, otherwise, you are preparing yourself for a fall.
In your business plan, you will have written a mission statement. Keep this in mind, as well as reminding it to any employees, as this will help cement the vision all around you.
After all, the business will be more than just you, so you need everyone to know what the end result is.
When you hire staff and people to work on the business itself, they can then understand what you are looking for, as well as be able to work towards realistic goals themselves.
In the end, it will be a group effort.
Think About Finance
Finance is going to be the biggest struggle of the business. The majority of people who start a business don’t realize how much they need and end up not having enough.
Salons these days are more than just the basics, so you will likely want to create a high-end experience for the client, and that means needing equipment that might be on the expensive side.
Think about how you will plan to get the funding for this, and what other areas you can look at for revenue if plan A doesn’t work out.
But it isn’t just the equipment either, or the beauty treatments you will need to keep stock of, you will be designing and putting together a full salon or spa.
It needs to look calming yet beautifully designed, otherwise, you may get bad feedback from clients.
An architect or designer is likely to charge around $200 for every square foot. So keep that in mind as you put your finances together.
Always anticipate you will be paying more to make sure you do not run out of money to finance the business.
You will then need at least nine months of cash in order for the business to run smoothly once open. So be realistic about financial projections.
Build Relationships
Marketing should be done well to get clients through the door, but what is even more important is getting them to want to come back again.
Once you can do that, then you are likely to be more successful.
If a client doesn’t return, then you will want to know if there is a problem with your services. This is especially true if they have decided to get their treatments elsewhere.
In order to get clients to return, you will need staff who are professional and good at what they do, but you will also want to provide an experience that they enjoy.
If your employees are great at what they do, then they can provide this service.
It is also about earning trust too and being loyal to each client. Once you have all this down to a T, then there is no doubt that you will be able to earn great relationships with clients.
Upkeep Costs Of Day-To-Day Wear
Whilst you might be thinking about all the finance that you need to begin the business, you will also want to make sure that you have finances to cover any daily wear and tear.
If you think about it, a client can be in a salon or spa for a number of hours.
This means doors will be opening and shutting all the time, carpets will become worn down over time due to the constant walking over them, toilet use will be high, and equipment will be working overtime.
It isn’t a surprise then that you will need to make sure you keep up with the daily demands of making sure the salon or spa looks immaculate.
The last thing you want is a broken door, a machine that is on its way out, or a hole in the carpet.
Make sure you have a handyman on call and remember to finance this as you never know when you will need to call him!
Having Leadership Skills
When working long hours, sometimes no matter how much passion you have for something, it can become draining.
Whether it is you, or you are going to hire a manager, make sure they have nurturing leadership skills.
You or they will need to motivate the employees and make sure they get the amount of praise they deserve.
You can also think about giving employees incentives too, like a free spa treatment per month or a discount on treatments and products. These things will motivate the employee to want to work there and do a great job.
At the end of the day, your employees matter, so treat them right. They are who your clients come to see and will interact with, so the service needs to be the best.
Final Thoughts
Opening up your own salon or spa can seem like a daunting prospect, but so long as you keep a few things in mind, you should be able to launch a successful business.
Some of the things you will need to keep in mind are finances, everyday upkeep, leadership skills, making sure clients return, and keeping that passion alive.
You need to make sure that all the goals you set, whether financial or architectural, are realistic.
If you overthink and over dream, then you are setting yourself up for a fall. Once you have realistic expectations, then you can share that vision with others.
If you stick to these key areas, then there is no doubt that you can launch a successful salon or spa. Good luck!
