Entrepreneur Press, Publisher Cover Design: Jane Maramba Production and Composition: Eliot House Productions © 2012 by Entrepreneur Media, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction or translation of any part of this work beyond that permitted by Section 107 or 108 of the 1976 United States Copyright Act without permission of the copyright owner is unlawful. Requests for permission or further information should be addressed to the Business Products Division, Entrepreneur Media Inc. This publication is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information in regard to the subject matter covered. It is sold with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in rendering legal, accounting or other professional services. If legal advice or other expert assistance is required, the services of a competent professional person should be sought. Hair Salon & Day Spa: Entrepreneur’s Step-by-Step Startup Guide, 2nd Edition, ISBN: 978-1-59918-473-9 Previously published as Start Your Own Hair Salon & Day Spa, 2nd Edition, ISBN: 978-1-59918-346-6, © 2010 by Entrepreneur Media, Inc., All rights reserved. Start Your Own Business, 5th Edition, ISBN: 978-1-59918-387-9, © 2009 Entrepreneur Media, Inc., All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America 16 15 14 13 12 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Contents Preface. xiii Chapter 1 Hair Today, Hair Tomorrow . 1 Earning Potential . 2 A Look Back . 3 A Look Forward. 3 The Opportunities . 4 Chapter 2 The Salon Scene . 7 Chop Shop . 8 Selecting Services. 8 Smoothing and Soothing . 10 Beauty Business Basics . 12 A Day in the Life . 12 Minding the Store . 14 The Price Is Right . 14 At Their Service . 18 Swabbing the Decks . 20 Magic Money Makers . 20 The Gift of Beauty . 21 į Chapter 3 Casting Your (Hair)net: Market Research . 25 Finding Clients to Dye For . 27 The Tao of Economics . 29 Conducting Market Research . 30 Gathering Cutting-Edge Information . 31 Cashing In . 35 Phone-y Business. 35 Adding a Personal Touch . 36 A Secondary Option . 36 Charting Your Course . 37 Start Your Own Hair Salon and Day Spa Own Hair Salon and Day StartYour Chapter 4 Splitting Legal Hairs . 41 Sole Proprietorship . 42 Partnership . 42 Corporation . 43 Limited Liability Company. 44 The Name Game . 45 Claiming Your Name. 47 Home-y Pursuits . 48 The Business (Plan) of Beauty. 48 Chapter 5 Leaving the Station: Assembling a Team of Business Professionals . 53 Legal Briefing. 54 Money Mavens. 57 Risk Underwriters . 59 Liability Insurance. 60 Malpractice Insurance . 61 Casualty Insurance. 61 Workers’ Compensation . 61 Business Interruption Insurance . 62 Computer Whiz. 63 Chapter 6 Home Chic Home: Establishing a Salon/Spa Location . 65 Building Basics . 66 Good as New . 69 vi į Contents Shop Talk . 70 Getting the Look . 72 Tell Them About It . 73 Chapter 7 The Cutting Edge: Hair Salon Equipment. 75 Personal Pampering Paraphernalia . 76 Nail Tools. 77 Fixtures, Salon Furniture, and Hardware . 78 Reception/Retail Area Equipment . 81 Salon Equipment . 83 Hand-y Work . 83 Shampoo Station Equipment . 84 Employee Lounge and Workroom Equipment . 85 Security Equipment . 85 Office Equipment and Supplies. 86 Furniture . 86 Personal Computer . 87 Software . 87 Fax Machines . 88 Telephones and Answering Machines. 89 Cell Phone, BlackBerry, iPhone . 89 Copy Machine . 90 Office Supplies . 90 Go for It . 90 Chapter 8 The Serene Scene: Spa Equipment . 101 A Booming Market . 102 The Spa Experience. 103 Saving Face . 103 Smoothing the Way . 104 Hands-On Appeal . 105 All Wrapped Up . 105 Under the Sea . 106 Getting the Look . 107 Chapter 9 The Coiffure Crew: Personnel . 109 Owner/Operator . 110 vii į Salon Manager . 111 Hairstylist/Cosmetologist . 112 Shampoo/Salon Assistant. 113 Receptionist . 113 Manicurist . 114 Spa Staff . 114 Aesthetician . 114 Massage Therapist . 114 Electrologist . ..