Anyone here own a hair salon? (I'll bet someone does.)

[Redstone]

Mrs R is thinking about opening one. She's not a hairdresser; she'd be the one providing most of the financing and doing the books and "running the business" in general. And she has done bookkeeping for hair salons, so she has a good general idea of how that kind of business runs.

She has two top-notch stylists (who she knows very well), who want to leave the place they're working and start their own salon, but they have neither the finances, nor the business knowledge to do it on their own. And, yes, they both have sizable and loyal customer bases, so they'd be able to bring a considerable number of customers with them. And, perhaps most important, both of them are stable and dependable.

Of course, there would be the mechanics of a profit-sharing arrangement to work out, so the two stylists would be able to build up their own equity in the business incrementally. And lots of other considerations as well, the same as with any other business.

That part, I can help Mrs R figure out, because I've owned various businesses for most of my working life. However, I don't know much about the hair-salon business specifically.

So if there's a DU compatriot or two who might be able to give me a bit of guidance about things pertaining specifically to that business, I'd appreciate it a whole bunch if you'd give me a few minutes of your wisdom. Like I said, the general "how to start and run a business" stuff...that, I know. I'd just like to hear about what to look out for in this specific business.

And I promise that I won't be a pest, coming back to ask "but what about this, and what about that?" over and over. I'm sure you know that I'd never expect anyone to give me a free master's-degree course in starting and running a hair salon; just a quick list of "what to look out for" would be GREATLY appreciated.

And, of course, there's the factor of the free hairstyle for anyone who has advice they're willing to share...not that I'd resort to
anything like bribery or such. (Did I mention the free drinks that are included with the free hairstyle?)

Redstone

[NMDemDist2]

1. i have a friend who had a place on a main street, she set it up

went to nail school and now rents out stations and does nails

she does well it seems

not much help, but it'll give it a kick for ya anyway

[Redstone]

3. Thanks for the kick.

Redstone

[rug]

2. I'd like to know what they do with the hair that's cut off.

[Redstone]

4. If it's long enough, actually, they use it to make wigs for kids who have cancer.

I've actually contributed to that twice myself, because I'm fortunate enough to own the type of business that allows me to grow my hair long if I want to, without it being a "negative" in my clients' minds.

Redstone

[Whoa_Nelly]

5. Good on Mrs. R!

ANd also on you, dear Redstone, for your support! :applause:

Just went looking for som einfo links for you, and found these that may give you some insight/help:

http://www.powerhomebiz.com/vol130/hairsalon.htm

http://www.wikihow.com/Start-a-Beauty-Salon

This one has business plan downloads about halfway down the page:
http://www.homebusinesscenter.com/beauty.html

Also, check with your local Chamber of Commerce for possible small business loan.
I know here in my little CA town, the COC will loan up to $30K on a small interst for those starting new businesses in town.

[BrotherBuzz]

6. Have you touched bases with Susan?

I doubt if Susan DuQuesnay Bankston knows much about running a salon, but I've always loved reading Juanita's blog back when Tom DeLay was THE target. Today she is blogging 'Kiss My Big Blue Butt' so maybe the name: Juanita's - The World's Most Dangerous Beauty Salon, Inc. is available.

http://www.kissmybigbluebutt.com/

[Roon]

7. My Aunt has one chair basement shop in her house

She makes a pretty good living doing hair. Her daughter (my cousin) started cutting hair too and she works in a saloon. They have been fighting for the last few years because they were stealing each others' family business.

[LynzM]

8. I don't own one...

But I'm decently friends with my hairdresser, and have talked to her a fair bit about her business.

Invest in some kind of good scheduling software and machine to run it on in the shop. Should be able to show calendars for each stylist individually, as well as show the past few appointments for each customer and what they had done at each. Should allow stylist to take notes about cut/color/styling done at each appointment.

Phone for the place should have separate voicemail-boxes for each stylist, so that each doesn't have to wade through the other's calls.

Mmm, that's what I can think of right now off the top of my head. Oh, and if she can afford it and they all agree, give them some paid time off... otherwise they're liable to work themselves to death. :)

:hi: Good luck to her!

[Kat45]

9. I don't, but I have relatives who do.

Actually, just one cousin now because the others were from the older generation in the family and are no longer with us.