Revamping Your Salon/Studio P1

Hi Everyone!

As many of you know, the beauty industry has a very high percentage of independent contractors. So many of you have your own salons, work from home, or at one point have pictured yourself becoming your own boss and opening a salon.

Today, I will be taking you through the essentials of decorating your salon/studio. First thing first, devise a budget. I know this is not always fun and it could seem tedious but you will not regret it. It will give you a better idea of what you have and where your money should be allocated. As amazing as it would be to have that breath-taking crystal chandelier, if your budget is tight, you may need to come to terms with chairs trumping that chandelier. Be realistic, do your research, don't just guess prices. We live in a time where resources are handed to us on a silver platter. Get on Google and find out the prices, make a list of what is needed and prioritize.

One of the hardest things you will have to decide is what you want your salon to say. When people walk in, what are their first impressions? Do they feel at home? Classy? Woodsy? Chic? Whatever you choose you are choosing for all your clients. How do you want to be portrayed? In every salon, shop, room, there is a 'vibe'. Essentially, build a culture. I will do a full blog post on culture and how important it is but for now, know that culture is the most important thing about a company. It is essentially the company's personality. It includes the environment, the company's mission and vision, expectations and realities… it is how you are perceived. So.. How do you want to be perceived?

Tying into your culture is atmosphere, in your home you have whichever atmosphere you desire. But in a salon, you have to keep in mind the experience your clients will want to have. MOST want to be relaxed, they want to feel pampered and maybe even escape their normal hectic life for that hour or two they are spending with you. If this is what they want, give it to them. You need to consider their mindset when planning your layout. Will they want privacy? Some services may require more than others, try to accommodate this.

Make sure to take your shop's location into consideration, what is in close proximity can make a difference. If there are a lot of vegan and earthy shops around then maybe a more earthy tone will fit in, but it could be by many upscale shops where a more modern, chic look would thrive. Do your research and see if there's any historic places, landmarks or main attractions that you can tie into your salon.

Photo credit: Valerie Mcdonald Reinkober - NailKandy

Who is your clientele? Demographics are huge. Demographics include age, gender, marital status, race or ethnicity, education, occupation, and income - whether it is individual or household. If you don’t know your demographic, I suggest you find out. The more in depth you go, the better you can adapt your way of doing things - who are you targeting? Get in the mind of your average client, try to tailor to them.

Coming up later this week, part two of Revamping your Salon/Studio - talking about colors, upkeep, clutter, and quick tips. Make sure not to miss it!

Elise xox