Dreaming of opening your own online beauty supply store? Owning your own online beauty supply store can be a steady source of income and a great opportunity to gain more independence and be your own boss. To help you turn your salon dreams into a reality, we've compiled a comprehensive guide to starting your own online beauty supply store, including everything you need to know.
One
Pick the right place. Location is critical to the success of your business. Consider the following factors
Access to a high traffic area. A space near a busy street, shopping center or a place where people frequent (such as a grocery store) is ideal.
Try to have something that is easy to touch. If parking on the way to the salon is cumbersome and traffic is congested, people may not find it worthwhile.
Stay away from competition. Don't put yourself directly next to another salon - you'll cancel each other out. Instead, try to find a bar within a few blocks that's just you.
Two
Get all the permits. Unfortunately, running a business means dealing with red tape and paperwork. Here are some things you should be aware of:
Get a business license. All businesses in the United States must be licensed. For more help, visit the Small Business Administration website.
All artists in the U.S. must be licensed. This includes cutting or coloring hair, painting nails, waxing, and applying makeup. Regulations vary from state to state, so contact your local occupational and professional licensing department.
Make sure your salon can pass a health inspection. To avoid fines or (worse) being shut down by the health department, make sure your salon is sanitary and follows your state's guidelines. For an example of what to expect, see New York State Salon Requirements.
Four
Figure out how much you'll need. It costs a lot of money to start a business and most entrepreneurs will not be profitable for 3-5 years. The following questions need to be considered :
Will you be able to support yourself when you start your business? Calculate how much you need to spend each month, how much of a cushion you have in savings, and how much you must earn each month to break even.
Develop an operating budget. Calculate how much money you need each month to run your business. Include rent, licenses, training, salaries, supplies, and emergency funds
Figure out your service fees. Once you have an operating budget, you'll know how much you need each month to break even. However, in order to make a profit, you need to do more than just preserve your capital. Estimate how many services you might provide in a week (e.g., haircuts, hair color, manicures, etc.) ) and calculate how much these services will cost to make you money.
Remember that while you need to charge enough to be profitable, you can't charge too much or you'll drive away clients. Try to set a price point that is fair to your clients and beneficial to you.
Find out what other online beauty supply stores are charging. Browse similar salons in your area and keep track of what they charge. Your prices should be in a similar range.
Do you need a small business loan? Make an appointment to meet with a credit officer at your local bank or Small Business Association (SBA) and ask him or her to describe the process for obtaining a small business loan. Before you leave, write a brief summary of how you want your salon to be profitable - because you offer a unique service, or because there aren't enough salons in your area.
Figure out how you will be taxed. Paying taxes as a small business is not the same as paying taxes as an individual, so be sure to figure out what you need ahead of time. To save time and hassle, consider seeking the help of a CPA when starting a online beauty supply store business.