To Start a Business in Beauty or Work at a Salon?

washing hair at a salon

Dusko – stock.adobe.com

Owning Your Business

Anyone who owns and manages a salon can testify that running your business takes dedication, time, and funds to start the business. Whether opening a salon, barbershop, or nail salon, you need money for equipment, products, and overhead rent or to buy a venue for your business.

Here is a list of essential expenses you count on paying: 

  • Equipment, i.e., chairs, sinks, desks, dryer chairs, and more
  • Overhead either mortgage or rent
  • Staff and employee salaries
  • Marketing
  • Front desk administration

Owning a business can be rewarding. Once the wheels of production are in motion and the company begins to monetize, a great sense of accomplishment will set in. Of course, new obstacles might always arise, and the hassle will continue in the early years after opening. If you like being your own boss, have a strong vision of what you want to achieve and can come up with the capital to start, then perhaps starting your own business might be the right route for you. 

Grants and Loans to Help Start Your Business

If you opt to get a loan from the bank to start your salon or barbershop, review all of your options first. With a term loan, you repay what you borrowed over time, and a fixed or unfixed interest rate is attached to it. Usually, you can get better rates with a term loan. If you can get a low-interest rate, it’s much better to secure a fixed rate as opposed to an adjustable rate, so be wary of unfixed interest rates. 

Once you decide to strike out on your own, you will have to take many steps to ensure you’re creating a positive and thriving environment. You can do it with a strategic and organized plan, a well-thought-out budget, and a passion for following the American dream. Find a good accountant and do plenty of research ahead of time. 

Working for a Salon

There’s always a hustle working in a salon or barbershop. Though you may not be the owner, in a way, you have carved out your own business by building your client list. And at many salons, you’re required to pay “rent.” The benefits of working at a salon are you don’t have to fret about managing every aspect of the operation, hiring employees, and making sure you can pay the rent. You’ll still have a relatively flexible schedule and some of the better salons will do most of the marketing for you on social media, tagging you and showcasing your best work. 

Marketing Online

We recommend you hire a small marketing agency or team to help launch your brand. Here are some examples of free and effective ways to promote your business on social media.

In this post, haarandcobarbershop promotes an offer of 15% off every Thursday. 

Attribution: @haarandcobarbershop

The favoritesalontampa shows off haircuts and color and tags their stylists. 

Attribution: @favoritesalontampa

The elysianbarbershop advertises that they offer kid’s haircuts in the following post in addition to traditional barbering services. 

Attribution: @elysianbarbershop

If you’re interested in going to school and learning about cosmetology, esthetics, or barbering and want to learn if you qualify for financial aid, visit Evergreen Beauty College.

Author
Frank Trieu
Vice President of Business Development & Industry Relations

Frank Trieu is a cosmetology industry leader, and despite his accomplishments and accolades, he still prioritizes students on the Evergreen campus. Through building relationships within the community and local salons, retail stores, and spas, he helps facilitate job placements for aspiring beauty professionals using his expansive network.

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