Opening a Hair Salon in New York City

18 Valuable Things They Don't Tell You 

1. Maintain your credit and finances. Commercial spaces are not easy to obtain. You have to show that you are capable of building out the space and have a cash flow once everything is completed. You will be expected to pay broker's fees and rent/security deposits. Have your banks statements, credit report, tax returns, pay stubs, etc on hand. The landlord's calculation to determine if you can afford a space is (commercial rent x48=last full year's salary/income). This means if the commercial rent is $1000 per month then you should have earned  at least $48,000 last year. Email us if you are still confused.

2. Hire an Architect  or General Contractor to develop your floor plans. The construction process is easier, when you've identified where your electricity will run, plumbing and stationary vs interchangeable equipment.

3. Inspect your commercial space thoroughly before signing your lease. Do you have a boiler? Do you have access to the basement? Check for any outstanding utility bills for the location.  A prior tenant may have left a bill and you would be responsible for paying it, if you want it transferred to your business name.

4. Purchase business insurance, including liability and professional. If you rent out booths, your independent contractors will be expected to maintain insurance as well.

5. Identify a monetary reserve in case you run out of money. Build out stages can be very costly especially unanticipated expenses. After a while, everything becomes an unanticipated expense!

6.Hire a general contractor who will outsource the plumbing, electrical and cleanup.  Make sure they start their day early and have a regular reporting schedule. Agree on a final price including material and labor. Get everything in writing. No exceptions.

7. Micromanage every process  until your doors open. Do not designate individuals to oversee tasks on your behalf that may affect your business later on.

8. Identify your service model prior to purchasing equipment. Independent contractors are responsible for 90% of their hardware, while commission employees are provided with most of their supplies (excluding styling tools).

9. Avoid a cash and carry business if you plan on expanding or obtaining a bank loan in the future. The more you report to the IRS, the better your loan application looks. The banks don't lend to businesses not turning a profit.

10. Adjust your business plan as things change. Yes you need a business plan! Your plan becomes a living breathing document. Use it as an infinite guide.

11. Don't hire friends and family. Even though it seems tempting, dealing with a stranger may prove fruitful. If friends and family are around, let them volunteer to assist  with furniture selection and decorating.

12. Contractors will usually charge additional fees, for things like, removing old decals from windows or mounting a television. Pay the extras, it will cause less of a headache in the long run.

13. Have a car handy. You will need to pick up and return items very frequently. Don't let your contractor return items if you're not there. If you have purchased excess items, get a store credit. More than likely you will need to purchase future items.

14. Purchase your styling products in bulk. This is always cheaper.

15. If you have intention on becoming an exclusive salon, contact the supplier early. Keep in mind that exclusive products have to be purchased in bulk as well, and can cost thousands of dollars for your initial investment.

16. Hire an Accountant. While it is always a great idea to manage your own finances, you will need a professional to review your numbers to ensure proper reporting.

17. Invest in a computer system. While some of us are still fond of the archaic process of writing things down on paper, it's simply easier to report data, utilizing a software.

18. Hire licensed individuals to work in your salon. It might be tempting to hire a fab stylist with a great track record..who simply didn't "get a chance to take the state board" however it will cost you at the end. If an individual improperly performs a service and you are sued, you will be responsible for damages. As a salon owner, you agree to hire licensed and insured individuals when you apply for your Appearance Enhancement License. Don't take a chance!!

Feel free to add to this list by commenting below. If you have any questions, feel free to email info@vanityhairstudionyc.com

Vanity Hair Studio NYC
"The Private Salon"

12 Things You Should Know About Beauty School

A recent blog from Beauty Schools Directory prompted me to think about my own beauty school experience. I thought I would share some of my highlights and low lights in the world of hair, makeup and  tests!

I decided to attend cosmetology school  in 2001 after graduating from college and struggling to find work in my field. The job market was erratic and quite unpredictable. Lay offs were plentiful and  the premise of  “knowing someone” was quickly fading. Getting a trade was my back up plan.

When I enrolled, I was surprised at all of the paperwork involved. You had an option of financial aid or loans. I wasn't eligible for financial aid, since I already had an undergraduate degree. One week later, I was approved by my credit union for $10,000. 

I spent the next year-four nights a week, reading, testing and observing. "When was I going to do something," I complained often. What’s the use of being in beauty school if I cant do the hair?

I quickly ate my words after my first customer who was an older women, cried in agony  and discomfort after I completed a shampoo. I had incorrectly draped her and all of the water seeped into her clothing,   The next six months would prove brutal. Patrons lining up to get discounted hairstyles and weekly state board  practice exams, that never seem to offer enough time.This was hair school not the police academy  Why was I losing weight and becoming sleep deprived? 

 It was beauty school, but it was.....still school. 

The one thing I will say is, beauty school was not what I expected.  It was hard and time consuming. I often  wondered if the fly by night stylists I patronized in the past, were even licensed. It takes a committed individual to get through  these courses.

Before you enroll, take an inside look of the beauty school experience.

1. School hours are in the day and the evening. If you attend in the daytime its approximately nine months. If you attend in the  evening, its almost two years. Most schools don’t let you mix it up, but  a conversation with the owner of the school to make an exception, wouldn't hurt.

2. Beauty school is expensive. A full course can run you  between 10k and 15k

3. The instructors are former or active salon owners, so they have lots of information to share.  

4. You should know something about hair. Beauty school does not teach you about hair styling. You  learn the fundamentals only. No... you don’t learn how to weave or braid hair.  If you don’t have a clue about hair, you will fail or drop out. It’s the horrible truth, but it’s the truth! You will need to attend advanced classes after you obtain your cosmetology license if you want to learn market trends.trends.lll

kkkk .
      5. You are required to complete 1000 hours . You can't get around this. Schools are very strict 

          on absenteeism. If you're a chronically late individual, curb it. Beauty schools impose 

          temporary and indefinite suspensions for tardiness. 

6. Your classmates are always willing to be your test dummy.  Capitalize on this opportunity, before you start your practicals.

7. You wont get a job right away as a Stylist. After graduating, you still have to apply for the written exam. After the written exam you are scheduled for the state board. Practice, practice, practice. Practicing for the state board exam is like learning to drive. At first you seem nervous and unsure of yourself. But after a few weeks of  driving school, it becomes fluid. 

8. Don’t apply for a salon job until you become licensed. Even if you wash hair, a cosmetology license is required.

9. Avoid opening a salon  until you’ve actually worked and managed one.  You would also need to determine if you want to be an “off the books’ stylist or a “1099 form" stylist. An “off the books stylist” usually works with cash only and does not report their income to the IRS (illegal).  The upside is, you keep all of  your income. The down side is, you're ineligible for a car, house, medical insurance, loans or anything that requires  proof of employment. Commissioned stylists usually make great money. You are more motivated than a booth renter who pays $100-200 a week for a chair. Commission  arrangements allow you to share the expenses for supplies with the owner. The owner is also responsible for marketing the salon. If you don’t make money, they don’t make money. Stylists are generally paid weekly and receive a 1099 form at the end of the year. 

10. Hair Shows are good, but what else? If you're in the business, you've been to at least one hair show in your city. This is a good opportunity to learn new techniques and test new hair products, but you shouldn't rest there. Attend some workshops on business. Strategic, marketing, branding and customer service are essential in the world of beauty. What's the use of gaining customers, if  poor service and inconsistently drives them to a new salon.

11. Establish a signature. What’s so special about your styling techniques that will be easily recognized? Branding starts with you!

12. And lastly, be a professional. In the world of Face book, blogs and  YouTube...everyone seems to be recording your every move.  We all have flaws but a good stylist will focus on re-inventing themselves. 

If you have questions about this blog, feel free to contact VanityHairStudioNYC@Gmail.com

Vanity Hair Studio NYC Inc.

private salon services

The Beauty Business

10 Steps to Opening and Running Your Own Hair Salon 

From the outside, it appears that thousands of women  have mastered the art of opening their own hair salon. From Dominican Hair Shops offering a $10 wash and set to Upscale Hair Studios catering to celebrity clients, the market for hair dressers to earn a living in the beauty industry is a lucrative endeavor.

Below are some tips for anyone interested in opening their own salon . 

1. Get a Cosmetology License. Its easier to run a salon when you understand the craft.

2. Establish a Business Plan. A business plan is a blueprint to your salon's revenue stream, operation and target market.

3. Establish a Niche. What makes you different from the salon down the street? Maybe its your hours of operation. There is a popular salon Downtown Brooklyn that opens at 6:00 am. This should have been a priceless gem, however the service sucked. So while establishing your niche, make sure your unique service also keeps repeat customers.

4. Have a Financial Plan. Don't blow your life savings on a business idea. Get financing from your bank or credit union. People tend to be more responsible, when they are liable for repayments.

5. Learn Book Keeping. A salon can function as a cash  business, but if you cant track your earnings and spending, how can you establish a pattern of income. If you're off the radar from the IRS it can be detrimental later on;  if you decide later to purchase a home or a vehicle.

6. Utilize the OPAL.NY.GOV website to find out what certifications and licensing you need to operate. Having a cosmetology license is not the only thing required for salon ownership.

7. File Your Taxes Honestly. Sure we all hate paying taxes. But recording your revenue will benefit you in the long run. Banks tend to lend money to business owners, who already have income.

8. Hire Talented and Skilled Stylists. A salon is not a catch all  for people interested in making "side money" or temporary income until they start working again  It is a real career that requires licensing and skill. Avoid hiring friends or relative that don't know the business.

9. Don't Rent Booths. Booth rentals create financial strains on salon owners. Both rents tend to be very low and does not cover the salon's operational costs. Both renters are not considered employees and can function under their own  guidelines. This includes the times they work, the clothes they wear and the customer service. If you want to avoid, conflicts and YOU working long hours to make up the difference for the salon expenses, establish a commission arrangement.

10. Hold Weekly Staff Meetings. Regrouping every week or every month will allow the salon owner and  the employees to discuss progress or lack there of. Meetings also promote brainstorming sessions.

While there is not a perfect formula to establishing and running a successful salon ,a guided support can always prove helpful! 

If you have any questions about this blog, feel free to contact us at VanityHairStudioNYC@gmail.com

Vanity Hair Studio NYC
private salon services