Everything you need to know before opening a barbershop
Male grooming and barbering are ancient practises that have persisted into the twenty-first century and still present themselves as lucrative business opportunities. Additionally, this market gives you the chance to research and provide a wide array of services, making room for new businesses to enter the space.
Are you finally prepared to embark on this career and own your own barbershop? If so, there are a few details and advice you should be aware of in order to deliver the best service possible and establish yourself as a strong player in the field.
What business model will you follow?
You should create a business plan and a buyer persona before starting any new venture, as with any other. By doing this, you will get a clear understanding of your target audience, the services they will need, and how to provide them. This will not only assist you comprehend the kind of barbershop you wish to open, but it will also enable you to comprehend the prices you must set.
By analysing your environment, who your competitors are, and understanding your desired customer, you will also determine your financial needs. Will you provide a variety of low-cost haircuts or just a select few more expensive services? Are you aiming to compete on pricing, or with good quality and experience? This will have an impact on your ability to pay rent, where your barbershop will be, how many employees you'll need, and the kinds of equipment you're looking to purchase.
What equipment do you need?
Barbers need a variety of tools to provide the best service possible. You might have the luxury of keeping a lot of equipment on hand if you work in a fixed location or you might need to be pickier if you're on the move. Nevertheless, some tools will be always necessary.
Hair clippers and trimmers: These are undoubtedly among the most essential instruments for a grooming expert. Remember to take durability, power, weight, and design into account when purchasing professional hair clippers. Trimmers are also necessary for your shopping list because they enable you to make cuts that are finer and more exact. When purchasing them, keep in mind that depending on the level of flexibility you need to complete the task, you can choose between corded or cordless versions.
Shavers: In order to provide your customers a good shave and broaden your clientele beyond only haircuts, you will need to get a shaver. Additionally, scissors will be useful for giving your clients a neat appearance and maintaining the shape of their facial hair.
Don't overlook the setup and clean-up following your service! To prepare your client, use shaving cream, pomades, and talc powder. Once you are done, use a duster to remove any remaining hair off your client's neckline.
Important technicalities
Hiring Staff: In many situations, you can discover that it's simpler to let employees work freelance, essentially renting a tiny portion of your property for a certain charge, also known as ‘renting a chair’.
Qualifications:
Although you don't need any additional training to work in this field, it will be beneficial if you can provide the services you're advertising to a high degree. Avoid trying to learn on the job; doing so puts your reputation at stake.
Duty of care
You owe a duty of care to staff and customers, which means that you’ll need to observe basic hygiene standards. If you lack the capital to invest in the equipment you need from the start, then you might look into specialised forms of business finance. Spending a little extra on interest on a loan might be preferable to putting up with inferior equipment or premises.