Should I start my own hair salon business?

[toni.d]

i dont know what i would do without this website! its fantastic! anyway.... i have been doing a lot of thinking and had a long discussion with my dad, so heres an update on our thoughts...

i had an interveiw for a job at a salon a few months ago, and the man wo did my interveiw wasnt a hairdresser at all but he was the owner and manager, which at first i thought was a bit unusual, so me being me asked him why hairdressing if he doesnt have the intention of ever becoming a hairdresser, and he simply said "its a good business" so other than all the business side of it he works in the salon too, as a sort of host, which i thought was very personal, he would be there to greet his clients chat with them while they wait, make them the tea and coffee.... i felt that had a really nice touch

and my dad agree'd he would love to be the showman of the shop, and like i said he has had business's in the past so would get on fine, and with my salon knowledge im sur we could pull it off

doing it this way, he would hire stylists/barbers and i could work there as a junior and gain experience that way, so when i am experienced and confident i could then work as a senior stylist myself in (petty much) my own salon

again ..... advice please!!!

thanks guys! x

 

[MissLou]

How annoying! I just wrote you a really long message and it dissapered when i went to reply!!!! Grrrrrrrr :grr:

Ok can't remember what I said now so I'll just put in the basics lol

So I hate to say it but I'm not sure this idea would work....My main concerns would be this, this is me looking at it as an outsider and as if you were to interview me for the job....

Who exactly is the boss?
Is your dad the boss, yourself or both? Who would I go to if i had a problem?
Although you are a junior, your half owner/boss meaning really you'd have a say in any issues that'd arise but your still practicing as a junior? If i was the manager brought in, how far can i go with decisions before i may cross the line and you or your dad may possible want me to take a back seat, but being a manager this is my job to do. And my main worry would be as a manger, how long will i be needed for? I could get this salon up and running and once your competent in working in a salon do i get demoted position and pay or let go??? Thats what I'd be asking myself......

But reading between the lines I think you are determined to go through with this (good for you) so if you are then I'd give this advice...

Everyone involved needs to know their positions from the start full communication at all times is important. eg

Dad-purely the business side. looks after all the accounts, books, figures, marketing, advertisement, wages etc

Manager-Running of the salon, training you up, helping to grow the clientele, get the team motivated etc ( we all know what managers are supposed to do lol)

Yourself- Junior?? personally I don't think you should be. Your a qualified hairdresser, with client experience, you do your own clients now all your lacking is salon experience. So I'd say go in as what you are, a newly qualified stylist. You'll soon pick up how to work in a salon and with it being a new one you and the team will work together and find your way of working as a team so in some ways it'll be easier for you. And your team will be there to help you out with the runnings of a salon, to be fair a lot of it really is common sense and having initiative and a strong team.

I used to work for a guy that had a salon and wasn't a hairdresser. It worked ok, he came in to pay us, collect paper work, he even done our orders for us, we'd tell him what we wanted then he'd order (although this wasn't always good as orders would be late and it was more to keep an eye on what we were spending) But until he got greedy it was ok, but annoyed us stylists when he'd come in and tell us how to do our jobs when he wasn't even a hairdresser. So if your dads thinking of doing that, from experience i'd say stick to just the business side

But before you go any further you need to work out your budgets, wages, rent, outgoing, your target market (is the property near a school-mums and kids or unis, students etc)

There is so much more i could say but i'll leave you with these thoughts for now, just plan this out, you need to look at least 5 years down the line at where you'll be and what it would mean for your manager if you brought one in.....

Let me know what u think :hug::hug::hug::hug:

 

[toni.d]

thanks so much misslou!! that was great advice!

i can totally understand you theory on how the stylist i hired to be the salon manager would feel, a bit cheated i suppose, if they were hired as a senior stylist, once im experienced enough there will be room for 2

i think i would make it that my dad is the boss to everyone and i just work there, would make things easier

like u said about the junior thing, i would be able to to a certain extent pick and choose what services i do and feel comfortable doing

if im being honest with you, the area wher i live and where i would plan to set up a salon.... its a rough place by night (and sometimes day) that i think everyone is scared of each other, that they are all so nice to each other to stay on everyones good side.... which in a mixed up way gives our home town a really good vibe, everyone is so proud for others doing well, and its a very family orientated place, and i just feel it would be a sucess, because nobody about here really cares if things are done correct or not, and theres not many locals who would even know or care who (no disrespect at all to these fabulous hairdressrs) charlie taylor or toni and guy, ect are.

also its kinda known for its hairdressers, for the small town that it is there 13 salons in it, and they all survive, im not sure how but they do, so im sure one more wouldnt hurt?

to clarify,
my dad - owner and manager
me - "newly qualified stylist"

then employ stylist and or barber?


thank you!!!!

 

[NeelieGel]

It seems you had pretty much decided before you posted here.

It is good to have a dream but surely a well thought out plan will make that dream more achievable. I personally think you are under estimating the need for a good reputation, client base and expertise in the field you are choosing to go into.

I am a bit surprised at how overwhelmingly a great many of us gave you the same advice, but to no avail.

Good luck with it all.

 

[BEAUTY4U]

im afraid i have to agree i think its great you are determined but you really need to think careful like how will you afford to pay a manager if you arent making money and if someone is coming in to manage this will mean they are very well experienced wbich would make me think they will be bringing clients ?? just be careful hope it works out xx

 

[topcuts]

hi. i thought id stick my 2 cents worth in.
i have my own salon, i have a junior that did 3 years at college and cannot get into a salon here even tho there are about 30 in the next town, because of no experience. its the chicken and the egg.
having taken the risk and employed her part time, there is absolutely NO WAY she could manage a salon or run 1.
i think she is great in her commitment and drive but for instance, she ws getting itchy last week about not getting clients given to her.....we offer everyone their first appt half price and they still choose me, anyway....i gave her a client and she basically said "i dont have a clue". i ask her for advise on colour mixes (just to test her of course) and she panics.
i have to deal with accounting, paye, bookings that take over your life (if you let them), balancing of books and believe me in January this is not easy.....health and safety, the landlord.....advertising. shall i go on?
my friend was bought a salon by daddy, i love them both to bits but they went bust within 6 months, she does hair, not books/promo.....etc etc.
now i love it, i was a hairdresser years ago, then a business manager for many years then went back to re-train and swallowed a huge pride pill working as a junior for a year to re-immerse myself even tho i had "done it all before". i could never settle for being "just a hairdresser" as i like the business management element BUT my God not many people can do it all. i am 35 and have only just "got it all". good luck, slow down and well done for asking. listen and learn, dont ask if you dont want to hear.

 

[toni.d]

"listen and learn, dont ask if you dont want to hear"

i have never not wanted to hear? i have took on board absolutly every reply on this thread and each one has been extremly helpful

and i have always thanked them for their advice.

i have found loads of threads on here some form even 5 years ago, about people who are not pro hairdressers or even hairdressers at all, who want their own salon. so you cant blame me for wanting my own when given the oppertunity...

and thanks to this site i have realised how hard and expensive its going to be, and im glad i came on here and didnt just jump right into a business

so thanks every one for your advice!! my dad is still very keen on the idea, but i think im going to hold off for a year at least get myself into a salon, do a few extra courses and see how it goes in the future!

thanks again guys! your all super stars!!

xxx

 

[BEAUTY4U]

that sounds like a great idea get some experience in and then do it just make sure your dad puts the money by and then when you feel ready you can go for it xxx

 

[MissLou]

Hey Toni.d,

So sorry for my late reply!

That is the best thing I thick you can do hun and good on you for reading up on all the advice given to you and actually listening and thinking it through, that alone tell's me that you are one day going to make a great salon owner :green:

Although if you had of decided to go through with it I would have done my best to give you advice when asked, but I do think this is totally the right decision, a hard one at that, I mean having the opportunity to have your own salon so young and lets be fair, easier than a lot of people in regards to your dad being able to help you out you have instead though it through and decided to get vital experience in a salon and grown your skills and learn more-for that I applaude you sweets :green:

I think it is for the best, get out there and show them salons what your about, you have a big goal to hit, you got ambition, you want to grown in the industry, get out there and show them how serious and dedicated you are!

Good Luck and keep me updated :hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug:

 

[NeelieGel]

Glad to see you have given this some thought and going to hold off for a while. Why don't you show some of these replies to your dad? My concern is that he is so keen to run a business he isn't really thinking about the aspects of said business and will put pressure on you to realise his dream for him.

I was watching that Michel Roux programme last night about training up youngster's in the restaurant business. Not a disimilar scenario to yours really. Hairdressing is a service industry at the end of the day and there is no substitute for experience in dealing with what can be a very difficult bunch of people - the general public?

Yes there was a guy there that had opened a curry place and had made a very good job of it and he was not a chef but he was older and recognised the need to bring in the very best, but his age engendered the necessary authority required to get those best chefs and waiters.

As I see it you have too many things against you. Age - you will not have the necessary authority. Lack of experience - you won't know how to rectify mistakes or deal with difficult customers. Lack of knowledge - you, or your dad, haven't had enough training yet to cover the miriad of things that can happen or go wrong.

Please get your dad to recognise what is necessary. I also think, on a personal note, that you should, as an individual person, strike out on your own. That's just my view and I hope you don't take offence. If maybe your dad was or had been a hairdresser one might view it differently but I can foresee problems with the relationships between you and your dad as a business partner. Families are too precious for that I think.

I too would so love to know how you get on with your career plan though.

GOOD LUCK

 

[Ferrismouse]

Hi,

I have felt compelled to respond as I'm in a very similar situation.

I am 38 years old & retrained (NVQ 2) as a hairdresser at the Saks Academy in Coventry Garden (6 month intensive). The course was great & we worked in a salon environment every day for the last for months working on models.

I secured a job as a graduate-stylist at a major-chain salon in Soho before I even finished the course based on a trade test (cut & colour).

I lasted 3 months in that job & left as it was actually knocking my confidence. I had a full column most days as it was so busy with walk-ins (45 mins slots) & just had to get on with it for little or no help & hardly any breaks. The times that I did ask for help people were too busy & the advice I received was "if your not sure, just look like you know what you're doing & you'll get there".

Determined that I had just chosen a bad salon I secured a graduate stylist job the following week (trade-test again) in a west-end boutique style salon. Again I left after 3 months for similar reasons.

I obviously have a certain amount of skill to be offered both jobs but one of the biggest advantages main was my age & how I deal with people. I looked like I'd been in the business for years as far as he clients were concerned. In fact in my last salon I was told I could never divulge to a client that I had only graduated in Dec '09!

My problem is that, at my age, I know when I am being mis-treated as an employee, I know when someone is taking advantage, I know when I am not receiving the right support or training & it's a difficult pill to swallow! I guess working from 12 to 9, 5 days a week (most weekends) for £600-700 per month just wasn't doing it for me & I appreciate that you've all been there & put the hard work in & I hope I am not offending anyone by posting this.

I have since had a back wash installed at home & bought a stylist chair & work in my home mini-salon. It works well for me although I have to rely on training videos & training websites for my ongoing education & development.

I'll get to my point now!

I have an opportunity to buy a small, well-appointed salon business around the corner from me at a very good price.

Even though I have the people skills & experience & the know-how to run a business I still feel it would be a mistake to go ahead.

As mentioned in previous posts, as the salon owner there would be an expectation that I would have been in the industry for ideally at least 10 years & be 'top of my game' to a certain extent. I have the capacity to recruit an additional 2 stylists (one at senior level obviously) but I feel that I should be a source of support, leadership & development for them. I certainly wouldn't expect my salon manager to ask me how to do some avant-garde asymmetrical cut with whacky colour!

I do have a certain amount of confidence in cutting & colour but by no means at the stage when I can look at someone in the street & be able to reel off colour numbers & cutting & styling techniques at the drop of a hat - it's still a very conscious process for me right now.

So hey, I guess what I am saying is, despite all the other experience I have (& I have a lot), if you cant answer yes to the most important one, "are you good & confident with most aspects of hairdressing?" then I think you are setting yourself up for problems.

I'm gutted I don't feel confident enough to do this right now as I feel I could run a pretty tight ship & a happy one at that but it's just not the right time.

 

[persianista]

Hi,

I have felt compelled to respond as I'm in a very similar situation.

I am 38 years old & retrained (NVQ 2) as a hairdresser at the Saks Academy in Coventry Garden (6 month intensive). The course was great & we worked in a salon environment every day for the last for months working on models.

I secured a job as a graduate-stylist at a major-chain salon in Soho before I even finished the course based on a trade test (cut & colour).

I lasted 3 months in that job & left as it was actually knocking my confidence. I had a full column most days as it was so busy with walk-ins (45 mins slots) & just had to get on with it for little or no help & hardly any breaks. The times that I did ask for help people were too busy & the advice I received was "if your not sure, just look like you know what you're doing & you'll get there".

Determined that I had just chosen a bad salon I secured a graduate stylist job the following week (trade-test again) in a west-end boutique style salon. Again I left after 3 months for similar reasons.

I obviously have a certain amount of skill to be offered both jobs but one of the biggest advantages main was my age & how I deal with people. I looked like I'd been in the business for years as far as he clients were concerned. In fact in my last salon I was told I could never divulge to a client that I had only graduated in Dec '09!

My problem is that, at my age, I know when I am being mis-treated as an employee, I know when someone is taking advantage, I know when I am not receiving the right support or training & it's a difficult pill to swallow! I guess working from 12 to 9, 5 days a week (most weekends) for £600-700 per month just wasn't doing it for me & I appreciate that you've all been there & put the hard work in & I hope I am not offending anyone by posting this.

I have since had a back wash installed at home & bought a stylist chair & work in my home mini-salon. It works well for me although I have to rely on training videos & training websites for my ongoing education & development.

I'll get to my point now!

I have an opportunity to buy a small, well-appointed salon business around the corner from me at a very good price.

Even though I have the people skills & experience & the know-how to run a business I still feel it would be a mistake to go ahead.

As mentioned in previous posts, as the salon owner there would be an expectation that I would have been in the industry for ideally at least 10 years & be 'top of my game' to a certain extent. I have the capacity to recruit an additional 2 stylists (one at senior level obviously) but I feel that I should be a source of support, leadership & development for them. I certainly wouldn't expect my salon manager to ask me how to do some avant-garde asymmetrical cut with whacky colour!

I do have a certain amount of confidence in cutting & colour but by no means at the stage when I can look at someone in the street & be able to reel off colour numbers & cutting & styling techniques at the drop of a hat - it's still a very conscious process for me right now.

So hey, I guess what I am saying is, despite all the other experience I have (& I have a lot), if you cant answer yes to the most important one, "are you good & confident with most aspects of hairdressing?" then I think you are setting yourself up for problems.

I'm gutted I don't feel confident enough to do this right now as I feel I could run a pretty tight ship & a happy one at that but it's just not the right time.

I applaud your honesty, and I think you are right. You really need to be at he top of your game a decent clientele to jump into salon ownership.
I spent 14 years working in salons before I bought my first salon age 30.

The truth is there will always be salons for sale and shops to rent.

 

[Ferrismouse]

Thanks. It's good to hear from other people in the industry that my choices are based on good judgement even if I am slightly disappointed

 

[scardar]

hi i own my own salon which is doing very well which my dad brought for me if you would like i might be able to help you with some ideas about thing like staff and lots of other thing please feel free to email me at scardar@hotmail .com would love to help you x

 

[ABDiva]

Ok, so heres the story ... I am qualified at level 2 hairdressing, which i gained from college, but it was a good college and i did gain a lot of experience, but obviously not enough to work as a senior just a junior stylist.... since finishing college i do home hairdressing as i cant seem to get into salons to work as they want someone with experience, i cant get a job without experience and i cant get experience without a job, so im kind of stuck in a rut.... but then my dad who has just sold a property and has a sum of money he would like to invest in something has offered me my own salon, we have found a property for sale which would be perfect for a salon, and its in a good area with very little compitition, so i need as much help and advice as possible, bearing in mind the fact that i know i couldnt be the main/senior stylist as i dont have the experience yet.

My advantages -

* My dad has owned a few businesses in the past so has that experience.
* The money to get the business started comfortably.
* I worked in a salon for a few years so know the basics of how it works.

My disadvantages -

* I have never worked in a salon as a qualified hairdresser (but am liking the idea of just being the manager?)

My questions are -

Is it a good idea?
Would finding staff to work for me as the senior stylist be easy?
Would they help me gain experience?
Would it more mor successful as a Barbers, or unisex salon?
Would i have to have any manager qualifications to do this?

Any advice will be apreciated!

Thanks

GO for it hun , u only live once.........from the sounds of things ull THRIVE Good Luck

 

[marie.st]

Ok, so heres the story ... I am qualified at level 2 hairdressing, which i gained from college, but it was a good college and i did gain a lot of experience, but obviously not enough to work as a senior just a junior stylist.... since finishing college i do home hairdressing as i cant seem to get into salons to work as they want someone with experience, i cant get a job without experience and i cant get experience without a job, so im kind of stuck in a rut.... but then my dad who has just sold a property and has a sum of money he would like to invest in something has offered me my own salon, we have found a property for sale which would be perfect for a salon, and its in a good area with very little compitition, so i need as much help and advice as possible, bearing in mind the fact that i know i couldnt be the main/senior stylist as i dont have the experience yet.

My advantages -

* My dad has owned a few businesses in the past so has that experience.
* The money to get the business started comfortably.
* I worked in a salon for a few years so know the basics of how it works.

My disadvantages -

* I have never worked in a salon as a qualified hairdresser (but am liking the idea of just being the manager?)

My questions are -

Is it a good idea?
Would finding staff to work for me as the senior stylist be easy?
Would they help me gain experience?
Would it more mor successful as a Barbers, or unisex salon?
Would i have to have any manager qualifications to do this?

Any advice will be apreciated!

Thanks

ok..... i have 9 years of experience and got my own salon 3 years ago. im now giving it up!!! its such a difficult thing to do.
i dont want to squash your dreams and i would say go for it.... but you need to do it in the right way.
if your dad (who sounds amazing btw) has the money and the business knowledge to set up shop then why not? my advice to you would be to not manage or run the salon to start with. advertise for staff and appoint 2 or 3 senior stylists. maybe consider having them share managerial responsibilities. you, i suggest should go in as a junior stylist. you will gain experience with hair and be able to observe how the salon is run without any responsibility being on your head.
when you have gained experience and your dad feels you are up to it, you can then reassess your position.

i would never advise working for/with friends or family. ive just had to let my business go as a partnership with a friend has broken down. ALWAYS keep personal and business relationships seperate.

good luck with everything, there is a lot for you to think about

 

[bryan Murphy]

Hi there,

i done what you were talking about just last year and can say that its made my life so much better.

I have took on a member on staff that has done hairdressing for years and know the ins and outs like the back of her hand i really could not have done it without her.

I believe that if you are level headed and take a step at a time i would say go for it.

i gained loads of experience threw this and so glad i done it.

i would say to you though make sure the person u hire is good at what he she does and is willing to help you out x best of luck x