How to run a successful hair salon

Running a business is challenging – and a hair salon is just as demanding as any other type of business. The success of your century depends on many different factors: whether clients leave your salon satisfied, your branding strategy, the people you hire, and even how you design your space. Needless to say, some of these things are entirely within your control, so it's in your interest to prepare accordingly. Here are tips to help you run a successful hair salon.


Create and stick to a business plan


Business just can't function properly without a business plan. You need a roadmap that will set the goals for your business and explain how you're going to get there, step by step. You've probably gathered a lot of information while you were preparing to open your salon. Now it's time to put it all in order and develop a solid business plan in which you define what your business is all about, what are its strengths and weaknesses, and how you're going to approach potential problems.


Check all funding options


Are you taking a loan from a bank to get your business started? Or perhaps have teamed up with investors? Either way, you need to figure out how much you will need to get started and where that will be coming from. There are many ways in which you can fund your business. Check out local entrepreneurship programs provided by both public and private institutions. Get yourself fully informed about all the options before choosing one.


Invest in software


That's right, running a hair salon isn't only about shampoo and styling products – it's mostly about software. The kind of solutions you pick for accounting, inventory, booking, and management can make or break your business. To track revenue and expenses, you need a quality accounting program – be sure to consult with an accountant before investing in this type of software. What about management? Many salons now use innovative appointment booking software such as Versum (https://www.versum.com/m/) that allows keeping customer history records, offers loyalty programs and ensures a 24/7 booking availability. It makes it easy for customers to book appointments and it's a sign of professionalism – you may even save up by avoiding to hire a full-time receptionist for your business!


Pick the right location


The right location is another serious factor in the success of your business. Select a spot with good traffic and high visibility. You need to be located where your target demographic shops or lives. Don't settle – be picky! Drive through the areas you're considering and look for vacant properties. If you spot an opportunity, don't be discouraged if there's no “for sale” or “for rent” sign on the door – you might be able to get it if you call the owner directly. 


Follow these tips to plan your business in detail and run a successful hair salon.