Beauty Salon Home Business
With skills for cutting hair, hair removal, facials, or nail care the possibility of starting a home based beauty salon is a real opportunity. There is a great demand for cosmetology services and, without overhead costs, providing the same services as a salon allows for competitive pricing. Here are tips for starting this home based small business.
Instructions
1. Cosmetology Experience
Having salon experience will provide confidence for going out on your own. If there is no experience yet have a flair for hair design, manicures, or other cosmetology services start out by working on family, friends, and neighbors to be sure you have the skills that can be marketable. To get additional training check out local schools and colleges. Courses are affordable and you can be using the skills learned right away. Completing training also allows you to be certified and this certificate can be proudly displayed in your home based beauty salon.
2. Small Home Based Salon Business Legalities
As with any business opportunity, it is extremely important that you follow local and state laws before you officially open your own salon. Register you small business with the Secretary of State Office in your State. (www.statelocalgov.net/50states-secretary-state.cfm) Check with local ordinances for setting up a home based service business in the home. There may be a need to insure your business, in case anything happens when a client is receiving services at your home. Contact your insurance agent to discuss what options are available.
3. Beauty Salon Space and Location
There is a website that provides an interactive way to layout a beauty salon, no matter how large or small the space. (www.beautydesign.com/salon_planner.php) Locate a working space in your home where there is adequate space with access to water and electricity. If looking at the basement or garage ensure there is also adequate heat, air conditioning (if needed) and access to fresh air. Keep in mind that wherever the location there should be an entrance that is clutter-free and accessible for all potential clients. If this area is going to be claimed on income taxes for business use, the entrance needs to be specific for the home business.
4. Marketing a Home Based Beauty Salon Business
If a business loan is needed, to purchase equipment and renovate an area for the beauty salon, a business plan should be written. Banks require this to secure a small business loan. There is extensive information on the Small Business Administration website for this and much more. (www.sba.gov). A marketing plan should also be drafted to be used as a 'roadmap' guiding all marketing activities to get you from start-up to a well respected and used small business. Here are some ideas for marketing a home based beauty salon.
• Create and print business cards and hand them out to everyone you come in contact with.
• Print flyers and/or brochures highlighting your services offered. A service business will get most of their business from referrals so give them to all your friends and family to pass out.
• Leave your brochures at businesses where potential clients will see them, ie. bridal shops (bridal party hair and nail service), day care centers (for family cut discounts), etc.
• Have a 'meet and greet' open house. Offer family discounts on hair cuts.
• Have a special discounted service on each day of the week.
5. Pricing Beauty Salon Services
Do a telephone survey of local salons in your area. Know what they offer and charge for those services. Price your services at a lower, yet competitive rate. You want the price to entice clients but setting the price too low may under rate the quality of your services.
Tags: home based, small business, based beauty, Salon Business, your home, your services