First things first, this is not to say you can't be an owner, I just want you to think about before you invest and find out its not your definition of success.
Not everyone should be an owner and that ok! We shouldering be pushing people into opening a salon, there is a huge difference in ownership and working behind the chair. Just like you need to have passion and talent to be a good stylist, you need those same skills in running business.
Owning a small business is hard. Its draining and it take blood, sweat and tears, sometimes literally. I was fortunate enough to know that it was a good fit for me very early on. I grew up with a father who was a self-starter and a go-getter. He ran two very successful businesses one of which I work in helping him with till this day. He was a good example and Someone who truly believed in the American Dream. He instilled in me some of the same traits an qualities that made him successful.
#1 Being Organized
You need to be organized and have systems in place to help you make it through the day and so everyone is on the same page. Quality control is where its at. Especially when you are trying to open a salon things can get hairy if you don't know whats next.
#2 Drive
You have to know what drives you in order to succeed and money isn't the only driver. you have to have passion for the business side of the industry as well as the creative side. I'm lucky enough to know my source and my why, some people don't. You need to find it because its what keeps you moving forward on the hardest of days.
# 3 Independence
Not needing anyone to validate that this is a good idea. There will be people in your life who will won't to deter you because they will be projecting their own feeling of failure on you. You have to know why you are doing this and you have to ignore them and be an independent thinking if you are going to move forward and succeed.
#4 Thirst for Knowledge
Even if you want to open and run a booth rental salon you have to have managerial skills and you have to find where you are going to develop them. You also need to have a clear view of your vision. Solid idea of business acumen, business plan, research and education on salon business models is vital. You have to take classes whether they are online or in person. Most community colleges offer free business training and you can also go to the Small Business Administration website and get info on everything from marketing plans to business plans.
#5 Confidence
Confidence comes from being prepared and educated. Knowing what you want and don't want out of this life and this industry. Not everyones definition of success is the same. know what your is and have the confidence to back it up.
#6 Time and Resources
Be selfish enough with your time and your money. You will have to sacrifice in order to get where your going. You will have to work hard and you will have to say no to people. You will have to miss events to run a business, but you also need to have balance. Figure out what works for you.
#7 Being able to Delegate
You can't do everything your self. You can try but you will drop the ball or lose focus. Have people in place that are good at something you aren't or find way on the internet to substitute. There are bunch of valuable resources out there for accounting and online booking. Utilize them.
#8 Being Able to Talk about yourself
Mostly so you can promote yourself. How will they know what you do if you don't tell them? Don't be sales just be yourself. The old, if you build it they will come, no longer works you will have to set aside time at least once a month to go to a networking event.
#9 Resiliency
Small business ownership is a roller coast ride, bigger and badder then anything I've ever seen at Six Flags. Unless you hire someone to run your operations, so you can work behind the chair, you will have to take a day to do the stuff most find boring (not me but I'm a weirdo). You need to have administrative days so you can work on your business, inside of in it.
#10 Being Patient
Thomas Edison has almost a thousand attempts at inventing the light bulb. Dude! Can you image it taking that many attempts? It doesn't mater how long you take to get where you want to be in life or in business as long as you are taking actionable steps forward.
If there was one super power I wish I had, its the power to give someone my drive and my motivation and have it work for them. Like Rogue from the X-Men, only in reverse. Inside of taking from them I would want to bestow the gift to them.
Thank you for reading my post! If you liked it and you found value in what I shared leave a comment below.
Lots of (hair) Love
Lesley D. Flanagan