What are some good steps on opening a salon?

[theprofessional]

Anyone have the steps I need to get a salon.  Me and my Uncle are starting one and he is getting a loan to start one.  What are some things that I need to be doing until we get the money and what will that money be needed for besides equipment?  About how much money do we need?If we can keep our customers happy and the people working with us, should we be ok?  Is it best to do booth rent or commision and if commision, are they thought of as our employees?I used to work commission only, but was never thought of as an employee.  Any insight would be good. 

[Brownstonebarber]

Hello,

   A lot of what you will need will depend on how large your shop is, and where it is located. Signage, advertising, and different licenses and permits, come into play.  Where my shop is located, there were a lot of town permits needed, such as from the health district, and the building permits.  (I even had to get a special exemption from the town to install a barberpole, because in the town where my shop is, they have a regulation that states there are no rotating signs allowed!!)These can get costly.  Also if you plan to sell any items, you should look into a "sales and use permit" All towns and states have different rules guiding them, and so I think that it would be a good idea to meet with a town official, before you go to much further.

   As far as employee's go, I choose to pay them by commission, that way if the shop has a slow day, I won't be paying them more than I can afford.  The more experience a person has that works for me, the higher I pay them in commission. It is well worth the money to have someone that is experienced,  if someone with a lack of experience gives one bad haircut, your reputation could be damaged.  I consider them not only employees, but also friends.

Good luck with your shop!

Brownstonebarbers

[peacepixi]

i have been looking for funding to start my own salon in my area since NOVEMEBER 2006!! i have been turned down by banks because of #1, no collateral, and #2, i do have bad credit. so, my mother has decided to help me with a loan. we're trying to go through a bank that will deal with the SBA, who will guarantee 85% of the loan, and the other 15% can be guaranteed by the equipment bought for the salon. i was recently turned down by one loan officer because she said my business plan is "weak." that's alot of BULL because one of the first things i learned in college was "how to write a strong business plan." now, can someone tell me why nobody wants to loan me the money to start this business? is there any advice anyone can give me to get my foot in the door at least? i really have no money personally to get started, and that's why i'm asking for a small business loan. i will do commission rates, and i want an esthetician, massage therapist, and nail tech as well as stylists in my salon! if anyone wants to look at my plan and tell me what i'm doing wrong, please let me know and i'll be glad to send it. i need HELP! i'm very frustrated at this point and i don't know where to go from here. i'm about to have a baby in august and i really want to get this running before the baby arrives. can someone please HELP????