Starting up
Opening a salon: the start-up checklist
Your own salon is the logical next step for many. To stop the dream becoming expensive tuition, a sober order of operations helps.
Formalities first:
Business registration, trade chamber requirements, a tax number, accident insurance and public liability cover. Anyone employing staff also needs an employer registration number. Requirements differ by country – check your local rules early.
Assess the location honestly:
Passing trade is worth less than people think – most beauty appointments are planned. Accessibility, parking and whether your target group actually lives or works nearby matter more. Weigh the rent against realistic occupancy, not your best week.
Numbers before furniture:
Before the first chair is bought, the maths should be done: how many treatments per week do you need to cover rent, materials, insurance, tax and your own salary? That number is your floor – anything below it is a hobby.
Visibility is part of opening:
A website with services, prices and online booking should exist on opening day, not three months later. Add a Google Business Profile – the most important free channel for local searches.
Remember:
Plan the first six months at half occupancy. Anyone budgeting for full occupancy comes under pressure exactly when calm matters most.
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