When it comes to starting a business, location is everything. Luckily some businesses can be carried out from the comfort of your own home. However, leasing premises can be pricey, which is why more and more stylists are choosing to run their salons from their homes. It saves you money and often affords you more flexibility too. That being said, there are still several things that you should be aware of, so let’s dive in.
Work Out the Legality
The legality of running a business from your home can vary depending on the type of business you plan to start and the state you live in, so be sure to check both of these out before going any further. In addition, you will need to secure the relevant health and safety accreditations and any business permits that you need. Finally, most businesses will find that they need to take out some form of business insurance to protect themselves and their patrons. Again, look for providers like The Hartford, who offer specialized policies from salon insurance to photography insurance, to ensure that the unique needs of your business are covered.
Transforming Your Home into a Salon
The next thing you need to think about is the logistics of transforming your home into a salon. Do you have the space to dedicate to a salon? You need to find a space within your home that will work. You need to have the room to work around your client’s head freely. Do you have the equipment and tools that you need? Is your home accessible, and do you have anywhere for your clients to park? Can you wash your client’s hair in your bathroom, or do you need to install a backwash unit? What treatments can you realistically offer with the setup that you have? You may have to be more discerning, especially initially, adding more treatments as you establish yourself and can afford more equipment.
Marketing Your Salon is Key
Many hairdressers rely on word of mouth and their visibility to grow their client base. By starting a salon at home, you are limiting your visibility. You will likely have some loyal clients who will make the transition from your current salon to creating your own. Besides that, you need to think about how you will entice new customers. You could introduce introductory offers, discounts or a reward scheme. In addition to this, you could leverage the power of social media to get word of your business out there. You could also advertise in local publications or put up flyers to drum up some business.
The Bottom Line
Starting a salon at home often makes good business sense because it is an easy way to keep your overheads down. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean that it will be a simple process. Your home needs to be fit for this purpose, not to mention the fact that your business relies on inviting strangers into your home. This is why in addition to the advice above, you may wish to think about implementing a few safeguards to protect yourself and your customers, like the installation of CCTV cameras.
