Successful business creation and operation comes down to careful planning and research, and knowing your market. Beauty salons in the UAE are the kind of business that can offer great financial reward, and even in lean economic times they will still draw in customers.
The aspects to consider when looking to launch your own beauty salon include things like location, services, price point and competitors.
Let’s look at some of the specifics that you should consider about what it takes to build a salon that will capture the market before you embark on such a challenge:
SERVICES
In order to understand what types of services are likely to be popular or desirable for your client base, thorough market research is needed. It is important to understand what the relative purchasing power is for those who you are seeking to attract, and then what types of services they may be in need of or attracted by.
Such factors may include their daily routines, working hours, lifestyles, culture, age, income etc. Setting the price for your services can be a tricky task but it is vital to get right for the survival of your business.
You want to set prices that will enable you to cover all running costs and payroll, while still making enough money to channel back into the business and help to eventually expand or consolidate your business.
There are numerous consultants that can help advise you on this, while beauty salon management software can help you with the technical aspects of performing daily administrative tasks, such as payroll, cash handling, stock reordering and so on.
ENVIRONMENT
For those customers who schedule appointments at beauty salons, they are looking to have some time alone to escape from their daily pressures – be it personal or professional. For this reason, they will appreciate entering an environment that is stress-free, relaxing and offers privacy.
The beauty salons that are most successful tend to have clean and hygienic surrounds that are nonetheless intimate and inviting. Your salon should be neat and tidy, so ample storage space is a must, while ensuring a well-lit and airy environment is mostly about the building construction – natural light is a must, so avoid looking at any dank or suffocating locations, even if they are affordable!
When you are getting ready to launch, it is important to also have entertainment services on offer for your clients – this may mean magazines, refreshments, internet access or television options. Be creative; the more inventive you get, the more likely you are to be remembered by your customers.
TEAM
As most people who have any familiarity with business will know, a chain is only as strong as its weakest link. Choosing to staff your salon with the right people is essential, especially in the beginning before the workplace culture has had a chance to really be established.
You will be looking for people who are not only competent and capable in their jobs, but who are good team players, have respect for both clients and fellow staff and who are available to work the hours you need of them.
Building the right relationships with clients is crucial in setting up a successful beauty salon, and creating the right energy and environment can be greatly enhanced with hiring the right staff.
LOCATION
This is another hugely important point to consider. Customers will be drawn to locations that are easy and accessible to get to and where other such services do not already exist. Before you get your business on the map, appeal to foot traffic or neighbourhood customers will be one of the most effective ways to drum up business.
Easy accessibility to public transport points or nearby parking areas are also factors to consider.
This, of course, needs to be carefully considered in tandem with other aspects of your business plan, such as the type of client you are hoping to draw in and how rent compares with what prices you will set.
MARKETING
Advertising and branding will tell the story of your salon and what it can offer. No small emphasis can be placed on the importance of getting the tone right in your marketing, and if you are able to do this and reach your desired client base, the rest will take care of itself.
Points to think about are the naming of your company, the type of logo adopted, and then which channels you to choose to connect with audiences through – is this traditional print, radio, television and billboard advertising; word-of-mouth; or social media channels and a website.
Also, bear in mind things like Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and Google Adwords to ensure your website and social media channels are at the top of the results list when people search key words relating to your business.
Business Activity Layout
- Activity Group: Ladies salon
- License Type: Professional
Activity Description: Includes ladies salons involved in beautification and hair care, including, hair washing, trimming, setting, dyeing, waving, straightening, hair fixing, henna services, as well as cosmetic treatments, which involve the makeup, skin cleansing, skin hair removal, facial aesthetic, foot care, nail manicures and treatment, also, internal doors should remain unlocked as well as bearing glass to allow revealing the interior of the rooms.
