The beauty industry is one of the largest and most profitable in the United States, so it is only natural for an entrepreneur to want to find a way to get involved. For those interested in the industry, a barbershop is a great example of a business that offers a product that is consistently in demand and a business model that is inherently sustainable and scalable. For anyone without any industry experience, there is a lot you may not be aware of, so it is essential that you invest the time and effort into understanding all of your obligations before you move forward with a plan for your shop. If you are considering opening or investing in a barbershop in your community, read on for four basic tips on how to get started.
1. Purchase quality equipment.
The most important part of your business is the service you provide. While there are many factors involved in success, it is almost impossible for any business to thrive without providing excellent service. A great first step to take is purchasing high-quality equipment for your shop to use. Making sure you find the best barber chairs and drying stations makes a big difference, and customers take notice when a shop has modern and up-to-date equipment. Research what type of weight capacity and what type of headrests and armrests you need early on, and remember––poorly made products can break down more easily and often do not have the lifespan that more durable chairs and stations have, so investing more initially will save you money in the long run.
2. Develop a specific brand.
Your brand identity is one of your best tools for developing your new business. It can be a good idea to hire a consultant to work with you to come up with some original ideas. Everything from the logo to packaging should be consistent with what you want your brand to be. Barbershops often sell branded shampoos, conditioners, and other beauty products, and you want them to be presented in attractive packaging. When it comes to labeling, you may want to consider a shrink sleeve label machine to ensure consistent quality and tamper-evident labels and bands. Your goal should be for customers to see your business or logo and immediately know both what it is you do, and what your brand is about.
3. Hire elite talent.
A business is only as good as its employees, especially in industries that require specific skills and excellent customer services like beauty and hairstyling. When looking to fill open positions, place ads both online and in print and limit advertising to within the local community. Looking for talent in unconventional places can give you an advantage over competitors. You may even find talent in the area with an established following, which can help to attract customers.
4. Invest in online marketing and social media.
While you should not completely ignore traditional advertising mediums, any modern business owner must understand the power of social media and how fully it has saturated every aspect of our digital lives. Influencers and bloggers that can show off and review your products and services can often bring in as much––if not sometimes more––attention as a print ad. The average American currently spends about six hours a day looking at some type of screen, so why would you not want them looking at your product?
Starting any new business comes with its own unique challenges, and a barbershop is no different. One important thing to keep in mind is that customer loyalty is of the utmost importance when it comes to running any type of hair salon, so finding ways to create repeat customers should be at the top of your to-do list. Since the beauty industry is so profitable, it also comes with plenty of competition, so making sure your shop stands out is also essential if you want to attract enough customers to be successful. Ultimately, there’s no replacement for developing an original memorable brand and providing consistently excellent service when it comes to developing a recipe for success in the beauty business.
