Category Archives: Competition

Choosing a Salon

Hair style Pictures, Images and PhotosChoosing the right salon for you is important. If you select a salon that you don’t like then you will dread going to the beauty treatments that are intended to make you feel good about yourself. To start your search you should create a list of characteristics that you want from your salon. This list should include price, location, personality of the stylist, services offered, and experience and skill level of your hair stylist.

One of the salon characteristics that usually impacts a person’s salon choice is the salon’s location. People want to find a salon that is close to their home. However, if they find a superior salon or stylist then they may be willing to travel.

The second salon characteristic that impacts a person’s salon choice is the selection of services that are offered. For people who usually only go to the salon for a cut, color and style a limit list of services is fine. However, there are people who want a salon that offers all the bells and whistles including spa treatments. Get the whole story »

Mobile Spa Business – Bringing the Business Right to Clients

Mobile spas are starting to proliferate and operate actively in most markets. Conceptualized and developed on the principle that clients are more at home and comfortable having spa services provided right at the coziness and privacy of home, mobile spas are truly patronized well. In fact, mobile spas are most in-demand in busy markets across the United States, Canada, Australia, and Europe.

Clients are ultimately enjoying and taking advantage of mobile spas. For them, day spas that are brought to the comfort of their own homes are really a pleasure. No wonder, mobile spas have been welcomed by the market with warm and amiably open arms.

If you are an entrepreneur and you want to enter into the day spa business, or if you are already into spa operations, you should consider getting into the mobile spa business. Because clients are raving about the idea and the concept, you can always be sure you will have a huge demand for your spa services. There are other logical and appealing reasons why you should take your spa business right to the doorsteps of clients.

* Mobile spas require little cost. Because you will not pay higher rents for business sites and establishments, you will not incur much for operating expenses. Utility bills, maintenance, premium-rate insurance, and business tax implementations can be waived or at least significantly minimized. Get the whole story »

Tools Needed to Become a Successful Franchisee

With any business you do need tools that will help you become a successful business. In this article, I will go over some example of tools that help you become successful.

Scenario 1 – Construction Company. If you own your own construction company there are quite a few items that you need. For example, you will need your tools, such as the basics like hammers, nails, screwdrivers, and much more. You would also need a truck for your company to haul your tools. Depending on what type of construction that you are doing, you may also need a ladder, or other large tools like a power washer. You also need “office” type items, such as a computer with billing/invoice/proposal type software, a business phone number, a fax machine may be needed, and a cellular phone so you can contact your clients on the go.

Scenario 2 – Tanning Salon. If you are running a tanning salon, there are also quite a few items that you need. Obviously you will need office space, and tanning beds. Depending on how large your office space is, you may need about 5 or 6 tanning beds. Also, tanning salons usually sell tanning lotions and bathing suits as well. Next, you will need a cash register, or possibly two cash registers, a business phone line, possibly a fax machine, and a waiting room area with some chairs. Some tanning salons offer the tanning beds where you stand in them, and get sprayed with the fake tan. This is becoming very popular, and you would probably want to offer this service as well with yours. Get the whole story »

Simple Ways To Increase The Value Of Your Business

As much as it is very satisfying to be your own boss and employ other people, it is just as satisfying to be able to see the value of your business increase over time. Remember that your business is a commodity that can be bought and sold just like any other commodity and in the same way that people are prepared to buy quality commodities at a premium the same applies to your business. Even if you are not ready to sell your business just yet, you still need to keep close tabs on how much it is worth on the market, if not just to measure how far your business has grown. These are a couple of tips that will help you increase the value of your business without costing you an arm and a leg.

Maintain Proper Financial Records

Make sure that you have a proper financial and administration management process within your business. Ensure that all financial transactions within your business are recorded and that the business has a monthly set of management accounts on record

Register Your Business With Relevant Authorities

Ensure that you are registered with all the relevant authorities that govern your business e.g Taxes, company registrar, annual returns, worker’s compensation fund, levies, health and safety etc

Keep A Clean Bank Record

As difficult as it may seem, especially when you are starting out, you need to maintain a clean record with your bank. Do not issue cheques if there is no money in the account, rather negotiate further credit terms from your creditors. Get the whole story »

Adding Services and Diversification – Add Services, Extend Your Hours and Diversify

Adding cosmetic procedures is a great way to add services to your existing salon or spa. The only way for any salon or spa to stay in business is to constantly evolve. Adding services that are extensions of the services you currently offer is a good way to get started.

Like any plan to expand, start-up or remain competitive, it should be put to paper. Adding services and otherwise adding diversity to your salon or spa requires a proper business plan, not just a discussion and some notes on a napkin.

The economy can challenge any business that depends on revenue derived from discretionary income. Some existing and prospective salon and spa clients will make the decision to spend less or stop visiting the salon or spa altogether. Adding bundled services that cost a little less, keeps the client’s appearance up, and keeps the client coming back should be developed.

Adding additional salon or spa services can mean bringing in additional equipment that will deliver advanced results without adding an additional staff member.

Every salon and spa should have the resources to afford an expansion. Expanding to add additional services and diversification may not mean you need more square footage. If necessary bring in a space planner to make sure you are using your space efficiently. Consider a campaign to reallocate space for the purpose of bringing in additional services. Get the whole story »

Start-up Guide to Hair Salon Furniture

Hair salon furniture is one of the major expense when starting a hair salon business. This is critical in giving a pleasant experience to the customers of your salon. Hair salon furniture includes styling chairs, shampoo chairs, facial steamers, massage table and other items such as rolling carts and cabinets. The furniture can be selected in accordance to interior look of the salon. The salon furniture should be selected to attract customers since properly chosen furniture will give a touch of professionalism to the salon.

Hair Styling Stations
Can be available as single station or space saving setup which can accommodate two, three or even four stylists. Hair styling stations could consist of extension drawers, glass retail shelves, fluorescent lights, coordinating mirrors, and storage cabinet. It may have power strips, holder for curling irons, blow dryer and clipper pockets.

Shampoo Chairs
Used for shampooing hair with a specially designed head rest. A comfortably designed one should be selected for a more positive experience by your customers.

Massage Tables
Used for massaging face as well as head. Head massage is also critical in hair treatment as it increases the blood circulation. It should however be done by trained massage therapist.

Reception Desk
Is also an important piece of furniture that may bring a distinctive appeal to your hair salon. The reception desk is the initial furniture that the customer sees when entering the hair salon Thus, it must let the customer feel the success and excellent grade of services provided by the salon. Get the whole story »

Beat Your Competition With A Strong Personal Brand

AishwaryaAbout 75% of the 22 million small businesses in the U.S. are owned and managed by a single individual. The typical business reflects the solo owner’s values, tastes and personality. Most importantly, the business and its owner are inseparable in the eyes of customers and prospects.

You can turn personal involvement into marketplace advantage by creating a strong, distinct Personal Brand identity.

What is a Personal Brand?

Personal branding represents a powerful personal self promotion and small business strategy. You create a Personal Brand based on your talents, skills and values. This Personal Brand identity becomes the foundation for all your marketing efforts. With a clear marketing identity, you can intentionally shape positive perceptions about you – as the symbol for your company.

Think about brands you use and recognize. Your perceptions about those brands have been shaped by consistent and persistent marketing messages. When your personal experience as a customer confirms those messages, the brand perception becomes reality.

Do you know any small businesses with a strong brand identity?

One of the most powerful small business owners tools is personal branding. Examples of individuals who created strong Personal Brands and developed them into multi-million-dollar enterprises include Oprah Winfrey, Martha Stewart, Nora Roberts, Stephen Covey, Tiger Woods and Tommy Hilfiger.

However, very few small business owners will use branding to be distinctive from their competitors. You are likely to be aware of a business owner with a strong Personal Brand ONLY if they are active in your market space or network. Most small business owners just don’t know how — and won’t make the effort — to use personal brand reputation building as an effective marketing strategy.

Personal Branding represents one of the most powerful — and under used — small business owners tools!

How can you create a strong Personal Brand?

Follow the five steps to create your Personal Brand identity. The process is adapted from Brand Me, Inc: How To Be Distinctive And Remarkable In What You Do And How You Do It, a guide for small business owners.

Step 1: Define Your Target: Everybody is NOT a potential buyer for what you have to offer. The biggest mistake you can make is being unclear about your target customer. Write a detailed description of the person who is your ideal buyer. Get the whole story »

Powered by Yahoo! Answers