How to make your salon or barbershop profitable

Internationally renowned stylist and barber Joseph Lanzante has had huge success in running salons and barbershops all over the world. Here are his top tips to ensure any business is as profitable as possible. Location The first thing you need to think about when opening a salon is location. Look at the footfall; be brave because you will have to pay a bit more for a good position. It is worth it as it will save you more money in the long term. If you choose a cheap location there will be a reason it is cheap, so consider that. If you go for a lower cost place, you will spend a fortune on advertising to ensure people know about your salon and where it is. However, if you have a good location, your front window will be your advert. Image Be honest with yourself because your tastes and style might not be to someone else’s. When you are designing and decorating your salon, stick to classic looks such as stainless steel and wood. These never go in or out for fashion, so don’t follow the latest trends because that is how you will end up spending money over and over again. Do it right the first time and you will save money in the long run. Another key point is to ensure your furnishings and fittings are good quality. Do not buy cheap chairs they will not last, meaning you will have to replace them time and time again. You customers will also know if it is a cheap chair and it will not offer the same comfort. Value for money Again, you need to be honest with yourself. Stand outside your salon and consider how it looks and what message it is sending across. Does it look like a high-end salon or a run of the mill barber shop? Recognise it and then charge accordingly. You also need to think about the type of service you provide. It isn’t always just down to the hair cut but it is about the experience as a whole which brings me on to my next point. Attention to detail Make your services stand out by showing the client that your time is dedicated to them. Don’t rush them out of the door ready for the next customer. Take an extra two minutes at the end of each hair cut to go around and make sure that it looks perfect. Clean the hair out of the ears and polish the eyebrows up too. Ensure the whole look is complete, that is what the customer remembers.