How To Open A Salon Suite 101: The Hairstylist’s Checklist

The Hairstylist’s Guide to Opening a Salon Suite

Thinking of opening your own salon suite? This comprehensive checklist will help hairstylists decide if they’re ready to go from the commission salon floor to becoming an independent salon suite owner. Read on for everything to know about preparing for, setting up and marketing your salon suite.

Here’s how to know if a salon suite is right for you:

When considering becoming your own boss and taking on the freedom and responsibilities of opening a MY SALON Suite®, dig deep, envision yourself working behind the chair in your own space and ask yourself the below questions to decide if the suite life is for you. 

• Do you desire independence?
• Do you have a vision of creating your own brand?
• Do you have a steady, full book and clientele that will follow you to your new location?
• Do you feel you’re at a standstill at your current salon?
• Have you put in the hours, effort, work and are ready to gain your freedom?
• Are you ready to pocket more profit?
• Can you envision working by yourself?
• Do you think your clients will enjoy private 1:1 time in a suite?
• Are you able to make executive decisions?
• Does the idea of moving into a luxury furnished suite excite you?

If you answered “yes” to most of these questions—congrats, there’s a strong chance you are ready to consider suite ownership!

Click here to schedule a tour at a MY SALON Suite near you!

Envision yourself in a #ONESHOT Hair Award Nominee-worthy MY SALON Suite like these:

Photo Credit: Instagram via @allhallowshair

Photo Credit: Instagram via @mirror_and_mane

Photo Credit: Instagram via @thehairwaytoheaven

Photo Credit: Instagram via @six16salon

Photo Credit: Instagram via @hairbyada_ny

Here’s how to tell if you’re financially ready to open a salon suite:

Now that you’ve romanticized the idea of opening your own suite, it’s time to get realistic about whether or not it is financially possible. Ask yourself these questions to gauge where your earnings, expenses and profits stand.

• Do you know the weekly cost of your business operations?
• Is paying weekly rent attainable?
• Can you afford all your own supplies and products?
• Are you OK with start-up investment costs like security deposits, inventory and insurance?
• Do you know how to plan your budget?

To help you fully decide if you’re financially ready to open your own suite, check out MY SALON Suite’s profit calculator to calculate your net income by subtracting your weekly expenses from your weekly earnings. 

Take these 5 steps to set up your business:

OK, so you’ve decided you’re ready for the suite life. The next step is to plan your move and set up your business. Take these five steps for a seamless start to the next path in your career:

1. Research salon suites in your area and tour them.
2. Ask yourself which suite is most convenient for you and your clients.
3. Make a list of what is most important to you about the facility.
   • The list can include things like amenities, laundry, education opportunities, building security and business and industry resources.
4. Ask the facility owner if you can talk to current suite owners about their experiences.
5. Download the MY SALON Suite app to start planning for salon suite ownership. The app includes information about essential move-in items (like liability insurance) and various educational offerings. 

4 tips for marketing your new salon suite:

You’ve planned, opened and set up the next phase in your business—now it’s time to get the word out! Take these four steps to publicize your new salon suite to current and potential clients and watch your bookings soar.

1. Decide what makes you stand out in your community.
   • Do you offer specialty treatments, techniques or services?
2. Declare your brand values that influence your services, salon environment, how you interact with clients as well as your online presence.
3. Set expectations and build trust with your tangible service menu.
   • The service menu should be designed so current and potential clients can hold your menu in their hands and understand your skills, services and prices.
4. Talk about your business! Because if you don’t, who will? Communicate your new location (and everything it has to offer!) via in-person conversations, marketing emails/texts, website updates and social media posts.

Ready to open your own suite? Click here to tour one of the hundreds of luxurious MY SALON Suite facilities across the U.S.