With the hair and beauty market growing exponentially every day, it’s difficult for a small business to stand out from the crowd and compete. It’s not just the surge in salon competition either – business taxes, labor, and supply costs are increasing as well. For the small hair and beauty business entrepreneur, it’s not necessarily easy to become a success.

According to Habia, the government recognized authority in the hair and beauty industry, there are around 50,000 hair and beauty salons in the UK. That’s a significant level of competition. Before that number dissuades you from opening your dream business though, the industry also generates a whopping £6.2 billion annually in the UK. And that is a figure you certainly want to tap into!

Research

Before choosing a site for your future business, it’s important to scope out the competition, consider the various demographics in the area, and create a competitive pricing structure for treatments in your region. The necessary effort required for this research will pay off dividends in the long-run. It can have a huge impact on choosing the best location for your salon and will form the foundations of a solid marketing strategy.

Business Plan

Behind every successful business is the necessary capital to fund the whole venture from inception to fruition. Which means getting access to the right funding—making a small business loan the ideal option for many budding entrepreneurs. As well as legal fees, equipment and furniture costs, and the potential rental deposit required to lease your chosen salon location, there are also refurbishment costs to consider.

On top of that is the cash flow required to launch your marketing program and other preliminary expenses such as overheads, taxes, staff payroll, and fixed costs, etc. Get your business plan right and you also have a well-budgeted outline for the startup path your salon will take on the road to success.

Marketing Strategy

A successful marketing plan clearly outlines your company’s advertising and marketing efforts. Without one, you’ll observe that customers do not call, walk-in trade falters, and sales are low.

1. First, decide on your target market and define a strong Unique Sales Position (USP).
2. Establish your salon’s mission statement and set achievable business goals.
3. Detail your strategic marketing objectives and tactical solutions
   • These include your chosen marketing channels such as a website, direct mailing campaigns, email sales funnels, and billboards, etc.

Salon Design

Unleash your inner creativity and design a salon worthy of your entrepreneurial dreams. Your new salon’s interior is just as important as the high-quality treatments you aim to provide for your clients. Create a salon environment that speaks directly to your target market while being comfortable and relaxing. Take the time to design the perfect salon interior which matches your class of business and you will substantially improve your abilities to attract and maintain long-term clients.

Training

Starting a successful hair and beauty salon is all about staying on top of contemporary trends in the industry. Combine this style awareness with skills in the latest quality treatments and services. Enhancing your technicians’ skills will generate new business and revenue by providing superior customer service to your clients. Therefore, putting yourself—and your hair and beauty technicians—through the right training is crucial to running a profitable business.

Though the competition may be fierce, you need to stay on your toes. The key to success lies in establishing and promoting your hair and beauty salon in such a way that makes it stand out from the crowd. Simply follow the steps I’ve outlined above, and you can turn your dream business into a reality!

Manroop Ahitan is the CEO and successful beauty salon franchisor of the CoLaz brand with over 15 years of wisdom and experience in the hair and beauty industry. Owner of 9 franchise salons dotted around the lower Southeast of England, Manroop also founded the Beaulaz Training Centre; a VTCT approved beauty and laser training school in Birmingham. She has also created a website for existing salons owners or new entrepreneurs to research her website on how to set up a salon successfully.