Have you been wondering if you’re ready to take the leap from running a home salon to a commercial salon? I know it can be a daunting (and exciting) possibility to entertain, so let’s explore your options.

 

Is your home salon profitable?

If you’re seriously considering moving to a commercial salon, I’d imagine that your business is profitable. If you’re struggling to make ends meet in your home salon, it’s probably not your time (yet).

I understand the frustrations of wanting to grow your business and knowing you can’t do it from home. That was me, once upon a time. It took a disgruntled client (without an appointment) showing up to my house unannounced one Friday night. She was very upset that I hadn’t responded to her earlier text message, and decided it would be okay to show up on my doorstep, and get her lashes refilled right there and then, because she was going away for the long weekend.

You can imagine the look on her face when I told her that I couldn’t do it. I closed the door, and that was the moment I knew I HAD to set up a commercial salon.

If you’re having trouble meeting client demands or seeking to separate your home and work life; a commercial set up will allow you to do both. You can hire staff to help carry the client load, and you won’t have to worry about clients showing up unannounced at your house – hail to set business hours!

 

Know your numbers

Talk to your accountant to gain some advice and insight on startup costs associated with a commercial salon. Costs will vary for everyone, based on where you are located, the size of the commercial space and how elaborate your salon fit out will be. It can also depend on if you’re taking the lease on yourself, or renting a room within someone else’s space.

Some people get nervous when they start talking numbers, but honestly, it’s smart business practice. When you know your startup costs, you can make a proper evaluation if now is the best time to open a commercial salon, or if it’s in six months time. And if it’s even later than that, at least you’ll have an exciting goal to strive for, and can set smaller goals to get your business in a financial position where you can take the leap confidently.

 

Will my clients follow me?

Stressing about whether your existing clients will follow you to your new salon space shouldn’t be what you base your decision on. The clients that love you will follow, I promise. If a few drop away, that’s completely fine too. You have to shift your perspective here and adopt a lash boss mindset. Meaning, if some clients disappear, you know that you’re making room for fresh faces. That’s exciting! 

One of the biggest perks of opening a commercial salon, or renting space in someone else’s salon is attracting a whole new range of clientele. Some people don’t like the idea of going to a home for beauty treatments – there’s plenty of them, and you’re about to meet them. Hello, new clients!

 

Still unsure?

Nothing beats writing out a good ol’ fashioned ‘Pros and Cons list’. As you do this activity, consider where you’d like to be in life and business in five years time. Is it still at home, or can you visualise yourself running a lash empire?!

If the lash empire is music to your ears, you probably don’t need that pros and cons list – you’re ready to jump all in, lash boss! Once you’ve done your homework, of course!

 

Need more guidance on this topic? Come and say “hey” in my free Facebook group, where I go live and answer your burning lash business questions every week!