How To Start And Run A Successful Hair Salon Business In Nigeria {simple Guide}
Looking good they say is good business, whether you are the one looking good or you are the one making others look good. When people look in the mirror, it is because they want to check out how they look and of course, they’d want the image in the mirror to be attractive. Women are ready to go the extra miles just to look attractive in the eyes of men and even to compete with their fellow women and make them envious.
The hair is one of the major parts of the body that can either bring out ones beauty or hide it, hence a lot of women are very particular about what hairstyle they make and how well it is made. This is where the hair salon business comes in.
There practically no one that does not patronize the salon, making salon business good business and because everyone loves looking good it sends a positive signal as to how lucrative it is to venture into the business of salon.
The major advantage of this business over most other businesses is that it can be started anywhere, be it in your living room, at the corner of your compound or a small rented space provided the place is very neat and well kept. A dirty environment is not ideal for this kind of business.
STARTING A SALON BUSINESS
The large number of hairdressers tells how relatively easy it is to open a salon. Just look at any street in your city and you are bound to spot hairdressers shops. But, what does it take to start this business?
Hair salon is quite easy to start but it’s very vital that you make some research just to help you in making sure the salon doesn’t fail in a couple of years.
Things to Consider before venturing into hair salon business.
1. Do you have the required skills and knowledge to run a salon business?
2. Do you want to have a paid staff or you want to run the salon business yourself?
3. If you want to have paid staffs run the salon for you, do you have enough knowledge about the business to know if they are doing a great job with your customers?
4. What social class of people are you willing to service?
THE FOLLOWING ARE PRACTICAL STEPS/TIPS TO SETUP A SALON BUSINESS
1. ACQUIRE MUCH KNOWLEDGE ABOUT THE HAIR SALON BUSINESS
In any business, knowledge is not just power but also a very strong competitive advantage. To succeed as a hair stylist you must know everything that needs to be known about the salon business.
* You must know about the women’s hair.
* You must know a little about beauty care.
* You must also be well informed about fashion in general.
* You must know how to run a hair salon business. Etc.
2. GET ADEQUATE TRAINING IF YOU HAVE NONE
You don’t just delve into a sea without first checking the waters. My dear it’s very risky. You cannot rush into hair saloon business all in the name of becoming self-reliant, you only get yourself into a bigger problem because if you give a not too satisfactory service to a customer, you are bound to be shouted on, yelled at or given a dirty fight (you know how some ladies can be so naughty).
The salon business is one business that required a lot of skills, visit two or three salons in your city and see how it is set up generally. Learn different styles in vogue. Ask helpful questions, the greatest thing about the skill acquired for the sake of running a salon is that your artistry is been seen all day long till the customer in question undo the hair. Your work speaks for you even when you are not there and do a lot of marketing for you. People will pay for your skill and they will pay well if they know they will get the best.
3. GET START UP CAPITAL
Your capital depend on how big you intend to start, the kind of equipment you want to start with, where you want your business location to be, how you want your salon to look like. As I said earlier it is a business that can be started on a small scale (even at the four corners of your room). Try and raise little capital to start small if you don’t have the fund for a bigger size.
4. SEEK THE MOST PROFITABLE LOCATION FOR YOUR SALON
Having the right location for your salon business can make or break your success in business. A good location has the visibility and accessibility to attract a high volume of customers. Your location should reflect your target market. If your target is high income clients, head for a high income area. If you plan to open a high volume operation, you will need to locate your salon in a high traffic area.
It is advisable not to situate your salon directly next to another salon, you will probably cancel each other out. Try to stake out a place where you will be the only salon for a few blocks. Don’t be in a hurry to get a location. Take your time and get the best deal for your money.
5. SPACE
The particular spot to start your business is another interesting area to think deeply on. Though, hairdressing salon are mostly found at rented shops, you can actually start yours in your room or at the corner of your compound if you don’t have enough money to rent a shop. If your room is not big or accessible enough, you can look for any available shed in your area and start from there. I’ve seen lots of hairdressers today who began from home. All they did was to make a sign post and the rest became history.
6. PURCHASE THE NECESSARY EQUIPMENTS
Hair salon business is very lucrative if you have the necessary equipment to give optimal service to your clients. Whether you are operating from home or from a shed or in a big rented shop, you need equipment to start operation. From your training, you’ll be able to know the most important ones to begin with, then gradually buy the rest.
One thing you don’t want to do is spending money twice on the same thing within a short time so you have to purchase quality equipment from known makers.
Below are some of the necessary equipment to run a successful hair salon business
· Wash hair basin
· Standing dryer
· Steamers
· Mirrors
· Combs
· Brushes
· Trimming scissors
· Curling iron
· Hair straightener
· Rollers
· Carts and trolleys
· Fan/air conditioner
· Shampoos and conditioners
· Comfortable chairs
· Towels and towel warmers
· Table with drawers
· Generator for standby power
· Air conditioners (If you can afford one]
· Flat screen TV and a satellite decoder (if you can afford it)
· Relaxer
· Nail accessories
· Scissors. Etc.
The services you decide to render will determine what equipment to buy.
7. EMPLOY PROFESSIONAL AND SKILFUL PERSONNEL
If your goal is to become a successful hair stylist and big business owner, then you are going to need extra talented hands. The beauticians you must hire must be skilled and experienced because their ability and talent as well as their attitude and work ethic will influence every aspect of your business, from client retention rate to the bottom line.
You should also organise training classes on a regular basis to improve your employee’s product knowledge and skills. It is extremely important as well to keep your staff motivated by offering them some benefit package which includes health and vacation benefits, payment for extended hours and many more.
The employees needed for day to day running of a salon business include a hair stylists/cosmetologists, braiders, salon/shampoo assistants, a receptionist, a customer service officer/marketer and cleaners. Etc.
8. GET A COMPLIMENTARY CARD
You need to have a professional looking business card, with your contact details and business address clearly printed. Issuing a complimentary card to your potential client is a good way to help them patronize your service. You never can tell who else might get in contact with your card. One card can get to more than one individual.
9. DO ADEQUATE PUBLICITY
Make sure people around you know this is what you do, tell a friend to tell a friend to tell a friend. But don’t totally rely on words of mouth or referral systems. Go online and get some advert going for your business. Take pictures, make short videos of the skill you have and post them online (Facebook, whatsapp and many more)
10. PRICING
As you go about your business, make sure you don’t over charge you customers. Moderate pricing ensures continuous patronage and sustainable venture. The real money comes from rendering good services at affordable prices that will make the customers come back again and again.
HOW TO EARN EXTRA INCOME FROM YOUR HAIR SALON BUSINESS
