Since people are more invested in taking care of their looks in this age, opening up a beauty salon can be a good business idea. But just like every other venture, you need to carefully learn about the basics of setting up and running a beauty salon. Here, we look at four aspects of establishing a beauty salon business – the equipment, products, selecting suppliers, and finalizing the management software.
Equipment
You will need an attractive reception desk where clients can come in and book appointments or wait for their schedule. Reception chairs will be necessary so that the customers don’t have to stand around while talking to the receptionist. A magazine rack in the reception room will allow you to give your customers some magazines they can read up on while waiting for their appointment with the hairstylist. A computer and a phone for the receptionist and administrators will also have to be bought. Beauty salon equipment leasing companies give you the option to lease such items at attractive monthly installments so that you don’t have to make any big initial investment to acquire them.
As far as the salon itself is concerned, salon chairs that customers can comfortably sit on are critical since they may have to maintain that position of a long time. Ensure that the hairstylist will be able to smoothly move around the chair so that they can reach the customer’s hair at different angles. If any of your beauty treatments require customers to lie down, you will need high-quality beauty couches. Styling units need to be installed on walls so that the customer can see the final results of the styling or treatment. Footrests are necessary so that the customers can remain balanced while getting their hair styled.
When you are analyzing the beauty salon equipment leasing options available to you, watch out for companies that have ties with the equipment brands that you are looking for. As such, you won’t waste time talking to a lessor who may not fund the purchase of an equipment brand that you desire. Plus, the lessor may also have an agreement with the equipment manufacturer under which you might be able to procure the equipment at a lower price. Inquire about the same when you talk with prospective leasing companies.
Products Used to Service Clients
For hairdressing, you will need razors, blades, and a wide selection of scissors so that you can style the customer’s hair the exact way they want. Keep a good number of hairdressing gowns and towels in the salon so that you can use it to protect the client’s clothing. Electric tools like dryers, clippers, straighteners, etc. are also needed to style hair. A wide range of brushes and combs will allow you to detangle, finish, and create up-dos. To color hair, you will need mixing bowls, water sprays, hair color products, brushes to apply the color, bleach, etc. To service the nails, you need cuticle oils, acetone to remove gel polish, and a large variety of gel colors and polish. Clipper, buffers, files, and cuticle maintenance tools are a must. You also need a regular supply of tanning liquids, massage oils, and waxing lotions.
Identifying Product and Equipment Suppliers
When selecting the necessary equipment or products, keep in mind to never go the cheaper route. Because you are just starting out, you might think of curtailing your initial costs by buying cheap equipment and products. But what happens when customers visit your salon and are turned off by these low-quality items? You will inevitably fail to attract a constant flow of clients due to which you may have to shut down the salon and suffer losses. Why take such a risk? Make sure that you get top-notch equipment and products for your salon.
As far as suppliers are concerned, do a Google check to find potential candidates. Prepare a list of the suppliers and compare their prices, lead time, shipping abilities, reviews, and so on. The best way to zero in on a trustworthy supplier is to ask for industry peers as such people have been operating in the sector for long and know which supplier to trust and which to avoid. Another great way to find a good supplier is to visit trade shows where they tend to show off their products. In fact, you may be able to negotiate a lower price for some equipment at such shows and even gain information on whether they provide beauty salon equipment leasing facilities.
Software
In order to receive payments from customers, your salon will need an Electronic Point Of Sale (EPOS) system. This will include a cash register, monitor, a receipt printer, credit or debit card reader, and a bar code scanner. Payments will be powered by EPOS software that will usually be packaged with the system. In addition to enabling smooth payments, such systems also allow you to keep a track of stock levels, sales, and so on.
Some EPOS machines won’t come with a card machine. As such, you will have to purchase it separately. But do make sure that the card machine you buy is compatible with the system. The safest way is to seek advice from the EPOS system provider as they will know very well which card reading device you should buy. When inquiring about the EPOS system, remember to ask the seller whether the total cost involves the card reader or not.
Your salon will also need an online booking system. The booking system should allow customers to easily schedule their visits without any difficulties. If the booking process takes too much time, is confusing, or just lags, you will start losing clients. You can either hire a software professional to develop a custom online booking system or sign up for an already existing booking service. Make sure that the booking system can be accessed by the customer from all devices, whether it be through a PC, tablet, or smartphone.
