Are you curious how a leading salon owner built lasting success?
Salv Mule shared 22 business tips every salon owner should know as part of the Sean Hanna HJ Business Academy scheme, which launched earlier this year. Read more about it here.
Drawing on his extensive knowledge and thriving business experience, Salv shares his top 22 tips for achieving success
Salv sat down with the nine mentees of the HJ Business Academy to talk finances, team and avoiding burn out.
Here’s 22 Things Every Salon Owner Should Know…
1. The only way to grow a brand is through education. Invest in your brand and it will pay dividends.
2. Your team have to understand your journey, so get them on board with plans, talk through finances, and your vision.
3. Always be transparent with your team so they understand where the money goes in the business. Secrets can create rumours.
4. Make sure your journey is clear and you know where you are heading in 5-10 years time. There’s no right or wrong, just what’s right for you.
5. You will make more money from behind a laptop than you can on the floor. Spend time on the business rather than on the hair.
6. If you work on the floor and want to step back, you need to work out how much money the business needs to make if you’re not behind the chair.
7. Remember 20% of what’s going into the till isn’t yours.
8. Try and keep your colour stock below 10%. It’s all about saving money rather than wasting money. Controlling stock control and colour wastage are the biggest and easiest ways you can save money.
9. Opening a second salon is twice the headache but half the money.
10. Don’t employ someone who doesn’t make your brand attractive. It takes a long time to build a good name, but to get a bad name takes seconds!
11. Salon owners often say they are taking an office day but don’t know what to do in that day. Have a plan and don’t waste the time.
12. Stick to your plan – this is so important. Don’t worry what other people are doing; their journey is completely different to yours.
13. Don’t be shy asking for help. Successful people are well into their journey and are willing to help when they can.
14. Word spreads locally quicker than it does further afield. So focus on your local area.
15. Mix with people who think like you, people who want you to do better. Don’t hang around people who don’t want to put the effort in but want the success.
16. Have the belief in yourself that the journey you are taking is the right one. Nothing comes easy, but it will be worth it.
17. Business is a circle. Bad times happen but good times will come, and then it will go around again.
18. Try to keep emotions out of it. Business is business.
19. What is wealth? Is it money or a lifestyle. It means something different for everyone so find out what it means for you.
20. Start taking holidays and some time out – otherwise you will burn out., then you’re no use to anyone!
21. Your costs are going to go up so you have to put up your prices. If you want to tell clients in advance don’t make a big thing about it. M&S don’t tell you when milk goes up so why do we tell them when we rise our prices?
22. Concentrate on you. Block everyone out – including other salons - and focus on what you are doing.
Meet the HJ Business Academy Delegates
Alex Burt - In 2023, he was shortlisted as the Best Overall Barber and is committed to building the ultimate barbering experience at his three Teddy Edwards barbershops.
Emily Huggett - Emily started her apprenticeship at Guy Kremer and this year became director of the Guy Kremer Salon in Winchester along with two other colleagues.
Chloe Clavin - Chloe has been hairdressing for 13 years and opened Editorial Hair Design in 2023. She has started entering competitions and is a passionate perfectionist!
James Foster – James is third generation hairdresser, who always wanted his own business. Three years ago he opened James at Atelier 18 in Surrey.
Corey Taylor – Corey is co-owner of NOCO Hair in Bristol, and has already been a finalist in many industry awards. Now she wants to build on her business skills and strengthen the foundations of the salon.
Casey Dale - A natural curly textured hair specialist, Casey works as a freelancer with a growing clientele. With over 17 years hairdressing experience she wants to learn more about the business side of the industry.
Rachael Dee – Currently self-employed, Rachael is a global educator for Hair in Motion and with nearly 18 years of experience, she is eager to take the next step to opening her own business.
Amelia Todd – owner of Frances Marshall in Sunderland, Chloe won the L’Oreal Colour Trophy Specialist Award in 2024. Her passion is running a thriving business and transforming apprenticeships into quality stylists.
Jade Williams – Jade specialises in colour and spent four years renting a chair before opening her own salon two years ago in Queens Park, London.
Follow the delegates here:
@guykremersalon
@frances_marshall
@corey_nocohair
@rachaeldeehair
@chloeeditorial
@jamesatatelier18
@yuhair.london
@iamcaseystyles
@allex_burt
