A successful salon has a solidly written business plan.
Opening a salon requires much planning in terms of getting customers, finding beauty product suppliers and finding a salon location that can handle haircuts, beauty treatments and nail treatments. When you write your business plan for your salon, ensure that you research and construct strategies that allow you to stand apart from your competitors in the market.
Start-Up Funding and Investors
Opening a salon often requires funding, due to rental fees of the salon location and the purchase of salon equipment. This does not only include shampoos and hair dye, but also basic hair sinks, hair-styling chairs, mirrors and work tables. Smaller tools, such as scissors, brushes, hair clips and blow dryers are also part of the list of equipment. If you do not have the budget upfront, create a list of funding possibilities, such as small business grants or banking loans. If you already have a source of funding, add this to the business plan.
Selecting Your Services
Examine your direct competitors to see what type of services they are offering. Examples can include haircutting, hair dying and various types of body-waxing procedures, manicures, pedicures or hair extension implementations. Also examine the prices of your competitors and price your services accordingly. You do not want to price your haircutting services too much higher than your competitors, as people may choose the cheaper route to get a trim.
Suppliers and Supplies
Many salons sell products for customers, such as shampoos, anti-dry formula, treatments for frizzy hair and brushes for fine hair, for example. While some salons sell products from specific manufacturers, others simply sell a large variety of products. Complete some research to determine what products your direct competitors are offering and select your own products accordingly. You do not want to sell the same products as your competitors, but choose products that people will come to you to buy. Once you have your found the products, find suppliers that can sell you these products. The business plan should outline what products and suppliers you have selected.
Marketing Strategies
A salon business plan also needs a section that discusses various marketing and promotion strategies, such as discount postcards, free giveaways or free haircuts after the first ten cuts. Ensure that your marketing strategies are different from your competitors', so you stand out and not simply blend in. In the business plan, create a list of marketing and promotion ideas, such as posters, discounts, events at the salon, free giveaways, memberships or an interactive website with hairstyle tutorials, for example.
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