Hair salons and barbershops are the staples of different communities. No matter what, people are always going to need to get their hair cut and take care of other beauty needs. If you work as a barber or hairdresser, you probably have a passion for helping people and a creative spirit. You enjoy the artistry of doing hair and you want to be known for doing your job well. Growing your company can be an exciting way to reach more people and make a higher profit.
Maybe you’re looking to franchise to all sorts of locations. The more popular your salon becomes, you can start popping up in major cities. Take the nation’s capital for example. Perhaps D.C. has always been an exciting location for you and you want to open a new beauty salon in the area. With the right tools, determination, and drive, you’ll be able to thrive with a salon in Washington DC. Here are some tips to help you get started out in the D.C. area.
Find the perfect location.
Washington DC is the area you want to be in, but that doesn’t mean your location search is over. There are so many different neighborhoods and areas of the nation’s capital, so you’ll need to find the best spot for your beauty salon. Do you want to cater to politicians on capitol hill or the young people living in more hip suburbs? You want the locals to have easy access to your shop, so make sure you are in a visible area instead of somewhere off the beaten track. Visit a few different areas and see which neighborhood is right for you.
Invest in great furniture and equipment.
Once you decide on a place to rent, it’s time to start thinking about the furnishings. You can’t have a beauty salon without making it look beautiful. This often starts with your furniture. You need to find great barber chairs that fit all your needs. Make sure they’re comfortable and easy to work with. You also need durable material because a barbershop or salon requires a lot of maintenance and cleaning. Each barber chair also tells a story and fits into the aesthetic of your location. Look for fun furniture that fits your personality.
Beyond just the furniture, you’ll also need all the beauty equipment. Dryers, shampoo, conditioner, brushes, and more will all be required to run an effective salon. You’ll also need the equipment for waxing, facials, and other services you offer at your beauty salon. These amenities will be essential for your guests, so you’ll want to be sure you get the best of the best right away.
Get comfortable as you commit to a new area.
If you’re opening a new salon in D.C., you may need to relocate there for a few weeks or months. Don’t worry about where you’ll stay as you’re trying to get a new business up and running. Look for furnished apartments in Washington DC that give you a place to rest your head without worry. Thanks to short-term lease opportunities, you’ll be able to stay in a furnished apartment at an affordable price. No more worrying about your home while you’re stressing about salon furniture and barber equipment. Enjoy the flexibility of rental property options instead.
Make a strong business plan and get your paperwork in order.
Each state and city in the United States have different ordinances and regulations for businesses. You’ll need to put together a solid business plan and make sure everything is in order for your beauty salon in Washington DC. Check the state tax compliance and be sure you have the right business license. These seem like basic steps, but without checking these boxes, you may end up harming your business in the long run.
Hire a great staff.
A beauty salon is an incredibly social and welcoming place. You want to keep that energy going by hiring great staff, from the hair washer to the person giving customers a shave. Bring in people that will do great work with an even better attitude. This is one of the most important investments you’ll make into the future of your business, especially if you can’t stick around to monitor the day-to-day activities.
Offer deals to get people in the doors.
New businesses can be hard to get off the ground because no one knows you’re there. You need to start offering some great deals to get people in the doors. Promote your business with other local chains, offer a discount for 50% off your second service after coming to the salon once, or have an introduction day where you make your business known to the community. Coming up with these kinds of creative marketing strategies will help you get new customers and keep them coming back. You’ll also want to be sure you have a strong web presence with positive reviews so people will be drawn to your beauty salon. This is how you make your presence known in D.C.