So you’ve completed your cosmetology program and earned your degree, your barber license, your esthetician degree, and you’ve learned all you can about hair care, nail care, and skincare. Now as a full-fledge cosmetologist, stylist, and/or manicurist, you’re preparing to open your hair salon, barbershop, nail salon, your business. The supplies are important, but the location of your salon is key to success. The right location can help you attract customers, build a loyal clientele, and grow your business. Barbers, hairstylists, day spa owners, and nail care specialists can benefit from tips to find the style of their business. Here are a few things to consider when choosing a location for your beauty salon.
Scout locations and get a feel for the competition.
When scouting locations for your beauty salon, it’s important to get a feel for the competition. You’ll want to find a spot that is not only accessible and visible to your target market, but also one that is not currently saturated with salons.
To get an idea for the competition, take a walk around the neighborhood where you’re considering opening your salon. Note the number of salons, as well as the types of services they offer. If there are a lot of salons offering the same services as you, you’ll need to find a way to differentiate yourself to attract customers, like offering nail services like manicures and pedicures with your hairstyle services.
Make sure the location is zoned for esthetics businesses.
When choosing a location for your beauty salon, always, always, always make sure the location is zoned for salon business. Zoning laws vary from city to city, so it is important to do your research before signing a lease. In some cases, you may need to get a special permit to operate a beauty salon in a certain location. Look up your zoning laws to make sure your dream as a salon owner can happen in your dream location.
Get an idea of the rental or purchase price of potential locations.
You may also want to consider the cost of rent and other business expenses in the area. Getting an idea of the rental or purchase price of potential locations can help narrow down your search. If the rent is too high or the competition is too fierce, it may not be the best location for your salon.
While the competition can be daunting, it can also be helpful. Seeing other businesses and occupants in the area can assure you that the location you choose is in a high-traffic area with a lot of foot traffic.
Narrow your search to locations that suit your needs.
You’ve sought out the competition and checked your zoning laws and feel confident in the area you’re setting up shop in. You should use this opportunity to narrow you’re your options. To further pare down your list, consider your budget and the advantages and disadvantages of your possible areas. You don’t want to overspend and start your business in the negative. You can consider the population density, for example, to determine whether the areas nearest to you have enough potential customers in each possible area.
While having an idea of the competition is good, you can narrow down your search based on how fierce the competition is, because you don’t want to have to compete big time with other salons for customers.
If you live in New York, Staten Island commercial listings are available for you to scope out and find the best place within which to work your cosmetologist magic. Some commercial areas include St. George, Livingston, and Clifton, as examples. Some of these listings offer spaces in areas centrally located with access to public transportation. Making sure your salon is in an accessible location by public transport, by foot, and by car means more clientele that you can target and encourage to visit you and your services.
When choosing the right location for your beauty salon, the location can tell a lot about you and your seriousness about your profession. Having the best possible location for your own business can bring people to your door for hair design, the latest trends in beauty, and nails with all the flair and confidence for someone determined to make it in the field of cosmetology.
