Hi Mama Moo and welcome.
I’d suggest starting with a bit of market research. Take some time to try different experiences in various establishments. Think about your perspective as a customer and put your business brain to work. What did you love? What would you change? How would you do something similar?
One of the best things I’ve ever done was a visualisation exercise where I was encouraged to imagine my salon when in a deeply relaxed state and then produce a “mood board” with cut out magazine pictures which I then presented to the group of fellow students. I did this on a degree course aimed at mature students retraining into clinical massage and I was a bit annoyed at this “time wasting” exercise and yet I’ve found that this picture has sustained and guided me for years! I had a successful business at the time I did this course which was nothing like the image that floated into my head, but throughout the stress of Covid I found that this vision became my “special place”.
I’ve found that my ideas have changed over the years so my business has evolved . With that in mind I would advise being 100% committed mentally but not “all in” financially. Very often people do the opposite and invest more than they can afford to lose and then fearfully fritter their energies away with various “plan B’s” which is mentally draining and makes it much harder to be successful.
In general terms it’s usually better to be niche as it’s easier to market something specific. You need to have a very detailed picture of your ideal client and his or her needs. You can have more than one “ideal” client but you need to make sure that you “speak” to each one as their ideal destination. I’m sure you realise that it isn’t sufficient to be amazing at what you do because clients assume that everyone in business is more than competent, they expect good service, so it’s all the special touches that will have them recommending you to their friends.
Ultimately your business needs to be congruous with you, it has to be something you love and feel as proud of as your babies. Your salon will be your doll house and the buzz phrase your loved ones will tease you with will be “that would be good in your salon…”
Read the beauty press, both print media and online and attend trade shows. You’ve just missed Professional Beauty at Excel which is the biggest event of the year, but just looking through the list of exhibitors and speakers will give you a good feel for who’s in and and the up and up.
When setting up you will gain most from businesses who want to take you on as an account and who will help you grow. Some companies just looking for a big one off opening account order and will then move on, so get to know the ethos of the company and make sure you love what they do and feel a bit obsessed by their services.
Of course, it goes without saying, explore the threads here. There’s a wealth of knowledge and experience shared honestly.
Best of luck
