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"

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

Hair Styles for Women with Traction Alopecia

If you're like most women/men who suffer from Traction Alopecia, you have become the master of deception...hair deception that is. "Creative" could not begin to describe the lengths that women and men go through to cover their balding or scarred scalp. 

DEFINITION: Traction Alopecia is a hair loss condition caused by damage to the dermal papilla and hair follicle by constant pulling or tension over a long period. It often occurs in people who wear tight braids, especially "cornrows" that lead to high tension, pulling and breakage of hair

CAUSE:  This condition is most common in African-American women and men who braid their hair too tightly AND Sikh men and  Japanese women whose traditional hair styles also pull and damage hair. Traction alopecia occurs more frequently in children, teenagers and young adults than it does in older women and men. Traction Alopecia is reversible if diagnosed early, but may lead to permanent hair loss if it is undetected for a protracted period. Hair loss is often in the frontal and temporal regions, but also depends on the hair style. With those who wear cornrows, the area most commonly affected is that adjacent to the region that is braided. Traction Alopecia can also occur due to overprocessing of the hair. Chemical treatment of hair with dyes, bleaches, or straighteners disrupts the keratin structure in a manner that reduces its tensile strength. The hair can become fragile and heavy fall out can occur with brushing or combing. The use of thermal or chemical hair straightening, and hair braiding or weaving are examples of styling techniques that place African American women at high risk for various "traumatic" Alopecia. EXAMPLES: REMEDY: The key to stopping Traction Alopecia is detecting it early. Hair styles that put unnecessary strain on the hair root must be changed for looser, more gentle hairstyles. Women/men who suspect they may be vulnerable to traction alopecia should take action immediately to change their hair style or treatment methods and by all means, take the time to see a dermatologist. Professional hair stylists specializing in braids, cornrows, weaving and chemical processing should warn their clients about Traction Alopecia. No medical treatment is available to reverse late-stage Traction Alopecia. Hair grafts have been identified as the only practical solution. HAIRSTYLE OPTIONS: 1. Keep the hair in its natural state and straighten with a hot comb or flat iron as needed.  .  2. Use a side bang to keep the hair relaxed. Combing your hair down will release some of the tension on your follicles.    3. Wear a bob like hairstyle. This hairstyle can cover all of your vulnerable areas while allowing you to feel sexy, modern and confident.   4. Wear your hair short. Short hairstyles usually require less tension. Even if you have very vulnerable areas, coverage is pretty easy once you have hair in the middle or back of your head.   5. Use clip in pieces to add color or texture to your hair. Chemical processes can weaken the structure of the hair shaft over time.        6. Surgery Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT): Laser energy has been found to stimulate hair growth on the scalp to improve hair quality, stop the progression of hair loss, and even promote new hair growth.  Hair Transplantation Surgery: New surgical techniques make it possible to restore hair to thinning areas. When performed on a good candidate (typically someone with specific areas of hair loss rather than very diffuse thinning), the results are completely natural looking with no visible scars. No one, not even your stylist, will know. if hair are not the same as those used to restore male pattern baldness. Optimal results depend on the mastery of  these specialized surgical skills. If you have any questions , feel free to contact Vanity Hair Studio NYC Website/                 www.vanityhairstudionyc.com Facebook.com /vanityhairstudionyc Twitter.com/     @vanityhairnyc Blogger/            vanityhairstudionyc.blogspot.com Gmail/               vanityhairstudionyc@gmail.com

Hairdresser Mistakes to Avoid

9 Common Hairdresser Mistakes to Avoid in Hair Salons

This information is meant to serve as a reminder of common hairdresser mistakes that we have probably all made at one time or another while working in a salon.

“An error doesn’t become a mistake until you refuse to correct it.” - Orlando Battista

By avoiding the simple mistakes listed below, you can improve your earning potential and successfully grow your business.

1. Crossing Off On Your Appointment Book — Far too many hairdressers cross off time on their appointment books or show an inconsistent work schedule that limits their availability for customers. Create a work schedule and stay in the salon. You never know when a customer will call for an appointment or just drop in. Don’t make it hard for customers to book an appointment with you.
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3. Not Inviting Customer Feedback — Invite customer feedback as well as feedback from your boss.  If you receive criticism, consider it an invitation to perfect your skills and excel at customer service. Let your boss and your clients know you value their input.  Desire to exceed owner and client expectations.  I have yet to meet a salon owner that wants to see their staff fail. Give them permission to offer constructive criticism without taking the criticism personally.
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5. Unprofessional Appearance — If you want to be respected and compensated like a professional, look and act like a professional. Hairdressers are in the business of making people look good and feel good about themselves. If you can’t make yourself look good, how can you make your customers look good?
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7. Involving Customers in Your Personal Problems — At times there can be a fine line between being friendly and interactive with your clients, and pulling them in to your own personal drama. They have enough problems of their own, they don’t need to be part of yours.
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9. Not Recognizing the Power of Customer Service — Customer service is often measured not by meeting your clients’ expectations, but by exceeding them. Go the extra mile with customer service. The rewards of doing so can be beyond even your highest expectations.
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11. Frequent Salon Change — If at all possible, seek to find a solution to any work-related stresses that may have you considering leaving your current job. Try to work out a solution with your boss if at all possible. Misunderstanding each others view points is a big obstacle between staff and management.  If you still believe a job change is in your best interest, do so in an ethical manner. Never burn the  bridges behind you. Leave on ethical terms, you may need references or a chance to return at a future date if your new job is not what you expected.
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13. Poor Work Habits — We are creatures of habit. Absenteeism and tardiness is a big problem in our profession. Work hard to value the time of your customers as well as the salon’s reputation.  Showing up on time and being ready to perform creates a sense of trust and projects professionalism to your clients and your profession.
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15. Talking on Your Cell Phone — When working on your customers, your full attention should be focused on your customer.
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17. Poor Customer Handling Procedures — Always greet your customer with a sincere and caring attitude. Develop powerful people and communication skills. You never get a second chance to make a positive first impression. A sincere and caring greeting shows you value their patronage.

Article by: SalonProfit.net