Opening a Salon? Here’s a Quick Checklist

Published May 29, 2023
Opening a salon might seem easy, but it’s far from a walk in the park. Just like opening any form of business, you’ll need to pour in capital and work long hours to make sure your investment doesn’t go down the drain.
Because of this, planning your salon business properly is of the essence. You can’t just jump in without any preparation and wait for the money to start pouring in.
Just like any business, there are lots of things you need to do to ensure your salon won’t fail.
No worries. That’s exactly what this post is for.
To kickstart your journey to becoming a salon owner, here’s a checklist of the things you need when opening a salon:
1. Define your salon concept
By now, you most likely already have an idea of what kind of salon you’re putting up. If not, then you should begin by defining your salon concept.
What services will your salon offer? What can make it stand out from the rest? Will you offer cheap or premium services? What demographics are you targeting? All these questions can help you define your brand concept.
When you already have a solid concept in mind, it’s easier to figure out the salon colors, overall design, and marketing strategies among others. That’s why it’s one of the first things you need to do when starting a salon business.
2. Check out the competition
Once you’ve already defined your concept, it’s much easier to identify your competition and check them out.
Since salons have local clientele, start by listing down local salons with similar concepts to yours. Then identify their strengths, weaknesses, and any opportunities for improvement. This will help you figure out how you can make your salon stand out from them.
3. Find a suitable salon space
The most suitable salon space will depend on your concept, target customers, and the initial capital you’re willing to shell out.
Ideally, your salon should be accessible to your customers, with plenty of parking spaces. It should also be clean, with a well-maintained façade and facilities.
If you’re looking for a specific interior design, you may need to fund the renovations yourself. But if you have limited initial capital, you can always go for a salon suite.
Salon suites already have the amenities most salon owners need. At Salon Suites of Palm Beach, for instance, we have high-end salon chairs, television with streaming service, and spacious waiting rooms among others. There’s no need to invest in renovations or expensive amenities, making it easier to start a salon business.

4. Comply with required licenses and permits
Obviously, your business needs to be registered. You can’t do any type of business without getting the necessary licenses and permits.
In the US, the most common licenses you need to open a salon are:
- Federal Employer Identification Number (EIN)
- Salon Retail Seller Permit
- Salon Business Operation License
- Certificate of Occupancy
- State Cosmetology or Beautician’s License
The cosmetology license is a must for owners. If you already have one, getting all the other licenses should be pretty easy.
Each state also has different licensing requirements. So, depending on your state, you may need to get other types of permits other than the above.
5. Get insured
In addition to permits and licenses, most states also require salon owners to insure their businesses. The most common types of insurance required for salons are:
- Professional Liability Insurance
- General Liability Insurance
- Commercial Property Insurance
- Workers Compensation Insurance
The cost of getting these insurance products can vary widely depending on:
- your state
- your number of employees
- the type of services you provide
- business turnover
On average, salon insurance costs can range anywhere from $900 to $2400 a year.
6. Buy salon tools and equipment
Depending on the services you plan to provide, you will need the following tools and equipment:
- salon chairs
- shampoo bowls/backwash units
- dryer unit
- hair color processor
- hair steamer
- salon styling stations
- hair cutting tools
- utility carts and trolleys
- storage bins
- pedicure chair
- manicure table
- mirrors
- salon cutting stools
In addition to the above, you’ll also need the following for your reception are:
- reception desk
- reception seating and furniture
- cash register/POS system
- scheduling software/appointment book
- telephone
- magazine rack
- product display
7. Coordinate with possible suppliers
Any business owner worth their salt knows that suppliers can make or break your business. So identifying possible suppliers is one thing you should do your due diligence on.
First, you need to list down the supplies you’ll need on a regular basis. Then identify shops in your area that sell those supplies in bulk and compare their prices.
If you’ve already worked in a salon before, you probably have contacts in the industry. You can also make use of those contacts to identify reliable suppliers with reasonable prices.
8. Formulate your marketing strategy
Unless you’ve made a name for yourself in your niche, your customers won’t just flock to your salon if you don’t promote it. That’s why having a comprehensive marketing plan is essential for salon businesses.
Ideally, you should have both online and offline marketing campaigns, especially in the days leading up to your opening.
You can distribute leaflets and flyers or run ad campaigns on search engines and social media platforms. But, as they say, the best form of marketing is word of mouth. So you can also utilize your networks (family, friends, acquaintances) to create awareness for your business.
9. Train your staff
If you want your day-to-day operations to run like a well-oiled machine, you need well-trained staff. Aside from the standard onboarding training, you should also consider training them on customer service, and product knowledge among others.
10. Plan out your booking system
An efficient client booking system is a must for every salon. That’s why most salons nowadays have online booking systems. It helps avoid overbooking and makes it easier for your clients to let you know they can’t make their appointments.
Some booking systems also send email and text reminders or let your clients know if you’re not available for their appointment.
Lease Salon Space In Royal Palm Beach Florida
Fulfill your dreams and be your own boss when you lease salon space in Palm Beach Florida with us. Our beautiful salon spaces come with complimentary laundry and cleaning services and a flexible lease agreement you can afford. Our salon suites come with many amenities including free cleaning service, televisions, storage space, and more. Contact us now to book a tour or learn more.

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About The Author
Judy Ponio is the lead writer for the Salon Suites of Palm Beach website and blog. Her many years of blogging experience and passions for beauty trends helps her create content that has helped millions of people worldwide.