Do you dream of opening your own hair salon, but don’t know how to do it or where to start? Indeed, it’s no easy task!
Many salons fail within the first year, because owners underestimate the difficulty of the project and make a wrong start, which eventually proves fatal. We have identified 5 common mistakes that are often made when opening a hair salon and that seriously affect the success of the project.
After listing the requirements for opening a hair salon in our previous article, today we focus on the 5 mistakes you must avoid when planning to launch your own salon.
Competition in the hairdressing sector is tough. There are countless hair salons, and new ones open every year. For a client to choose your salon over another, there are usually two main factors: price or the services offered.
If you provide exactly the same services as other salons in your area, clients will have no reason to change their habits and come to you—unless it’s for a lower price. This quickly drags you into a price war, forcing you to charge ridiculously low rates just to keep up with the competition. With margins shrinking, you will eventually end up in bankruptcy, joining the percentage of salons that fail.
On the other hand, if you offer different services than your competitors, clients will have a reason beyond just price to choose your salon. By creating a unique concept, you will attract new clients and build loyalty (because if they can’t find your exclusive services just across the street for less, there’s no reason for them to switch salons!).
So, when you take the step of opening your hair salon, remember: stand out! Be different from your competitors, attract new clients with original services, and build loyalty by offering something they won’t easily find elsewhere.
When opening a hair salon, do you simply look at what your competitors are charging and align your prices with theirs? While it’s certainly useful to conduct a market analysis to get an idea of what others are charging, this should not be the sole basis for your pricing strategy.
Your neighboring salon doesn’t have the same expenses as you, nor does the salon down the street or in the next city. Since their costs are different, the amount of money they need to generate to be profitable is also different. The same applies to the famous “1 minute = 1 euro” pricing rule often repeated in hairdressing schools. This method completely ignores your actual expenses and the revenue goals you want to achieve with your salon.
To open a profitable hair salon, you must abandon these illogical pricing methods and instead calculate prices based on your specific needs and objectives. Don’t aim to be cheaper than everyone else, it won’t make you lose clients. All you need to do is offer a different service. Prices can only be compared when the service is the same. As soon as your services differ from those of your competitors, it’s only natural that your prices will differ too.
This brings us back to the importance of differentiation, so you don’t suffer from competition and the resulting price war. Your difference will be your freedom and your path to profitability.
→ Feeling lost when it comes to setting your prices? Hairborist advisors are here to guide you and help you create a logical and profitable pricing strategy when opening your hair salon.
In 2024, the internet and social media play a crucial role. For a successful hair salon opening, your online presence will be decisive. If you want future clients to find you, you’ll need to make yourself visible!
On one hand, having an up-to-date website conveys professionalism and builds trust in your salon. Clients will be able to find all the necessary information about your services, your salon, and even book appointments directly.
On the other hand, you shouldn’t neglect communication on social media. Your visibility and reputation on platforms such as Facebook and Instagram are just as important for the success of your salon. It’s easy to share before-and-after transformations, as well as practical information (like opening hours). This way, potential clients can see the range of your services and your skills. A well-managed social media page makes clients want to try your services. Plus, these are free and user-friendly tools, so why not take advantage of them?
Many new owners overlook advertising when opening their salon, arguing that it’s “not their job.” However, as a business owner, you’ll need to develop skills outside your core craft. Advertising is one of the aspects you simply cannot ignore.
For a smooth salon opening, we strongly recommend choosing high-quality products. Today’s clients are increasingly concerned not only about the health of their hair, but also about the environment. By opting for healthy, natural products, you will attract clients who care about their well-being and the planet.
This means reaching a new audience that’s always looking for effective products, not just “quick fixes.” Natural products are genuinely effective and, unlike conventional ones that only act on the surface, they treat hair concerns in depth. Your clients will be more than satisfied, and they’ll return to your salon without hesitation!
Retail sales are not just a bonus for your salon, they’re a reliable source of revenue that can significantly boost your turnover.
Many hairdressers overlook this part of the business and fail to realize its potential. By offering a quality product range and implementing different sales facilitators, such as bulk sales with Hairborist, you can truly expand this revenue stream in your salon.
It’s common for hairdressers to hesitate when it comes to promoting retail products, for various reasons: products that aren’t effective enough, items that clients can find cheaper online or at a competitor’s, or even the feeling of “pushing” a sale. At Hairborist, we have carefully studied these obstacles to develop a logical and accessible retail system, notably through bulk sales, exclusive salon-only products, and more.
In short, if you want to open a profitable hair salon, retail is an aspect you must take seriously. Our consultants have plenty of tips and strategies to help you succeed in this area.
Before opening your hair salon, it’s essential to take the time to plan carefully and think through the strategy you want to put in place. What if you could find a partner to help you launch an innovative concept, supporting you from A to Z?
You’re not dreaming, Hairborist is here to help you open your salon while avoiding the most common mistakes.
We know how challenging it can be to manage everything on your own. That’s why, by choosing to work with our professional haircare brand, you’ll be fully supported in this new adventure. Depending on the type of partnership you choose with us, you will benefit from several advantages.
One of them is the creation of a visible, well-referenced website, built in collaboration with our marketing team, tailored to reflect your identity. In addition, our team can also highlight your salon on our social media platforms to promote your activity and increase your visibility.
And that’s not all, our advisors will also be there to give you valuable tips on effective advertising!
Before opening a hair salon, it’s worth looking into current trends and the future of the industry. By choosing Hairborist, you’re not just selecting a range of treatments, you’re embracing a bio-concept centered on well-being. A true sensory experience, it’s especially through pre-shampoo oil treatments that you’ll amaze your clients.
Just like in a hairspa, your clients will enjoy professional techniques that immediately help them relax, combined with the benefits of essential oils that positively influence their mood. Beyond relaxation and well-being, these oils also target specific hair needs, treating them in depth.
You can then adapt your salon’s décor to match the concept and create an ultra-relaxing atmosphere, transforming your space into a genuine wellness center.
By choosing an exclusive partnership with Hairborist, we guide you in selecting the packages to offer your clients. This way, your pricing policy becomes simpler, and clients feel reassured when it’s time to pay. No unpleasant surprises, the client pays only for the services included in their package.
Your prices will be logical, and potential risks will be accounted for, ensuring you receive a fair and sustainable income. You’ll also benefit from personalized financial advice: when to hire? When and how to adjust your prices?
With this support, you can open your salon with peace of mind and confidence.
Have you decided to open your hair salon? Have you chosen the product range that will accompany you throughout this adventure? If you go with Hairborist treatments, you should know that they are all natural, and many are certified organic by the ECOGARANTIE® label. This is a true guarantee of quality and safety for you and your clients, with products that prioritize health above all else.
The entire Hairborist range is also available for retail sales, including in bulk format, a great gesture for the environment, which your eco-conscious clients will surely appreciate! You can even offer them a discount when they come to refill their empty bottles, without losing any margin. On the contrary, it’s a fantastic way to attract and build client loyalty. Your clients will be delighted, and so will you!
So, are you ready to open your hair salon? The time is now! You’ll benefit from full support from Hairborist advisors, before, during, and after your opening. Don’t hesitate to contact our team to find out more. And if you’d like to know the requirements for opening a hair salon, be sure to read our previous article on the topic.
