CARISSA LAWLOR

Written By robert hughes

STYLIST + OWNER
hŌm Salon | VA

EPISODES

My Journey to Becoming a Salon Owner

 

 

Tune in to hear Carissa share her journey to becoming a salon owner!

Key Takeaways

  • I went from School to 7 Yrs behind the chair to 6 Yrs managing while behind the chair. Then to a Salon Suite to being an Educator @ TSPA DC to finally being a Salon Owner

  • Do your research on all nearby Salons before picking:

    • Education

    • Stylist reviews

    • Client reviews

    • Pictures on the website and social media

  • Take advantage of all classes including business & customer service, as well as technical education (look to your salon and look outside the salon, invest in your education!)

  • I grew as much as I could at my salon before going to a salon suite

  • I became an educator at The Salon Professional Academy in DC

  • Then, I opened a Salon to continue to grow!

  • Tips:

    • Save your money!

    • Be frugal!

    • You will need money to open a business!

    • Do a lot of homework and budget every single expense when thinking about running a business!

    • Finances are very important!

A Step-by-Step on How I Opened My Salon

 

 

Tune in to hear Carissa share the steps she took to open her salon!

Key Takeaways

  • Have a vision for your salon!

  • Understand and create systems to ensure a consistent client experience and staff experience!

  • Look around, geographically, close to where your clientele is

  • Find a commercial real estate agent

  • Look at different spaces

    • This helps figure out how much space, chairs, and other locations specific details

  • Simultaneously, start talking with banks for loans (ask your real estate agent)

  • Each space will require something different in terms of construction, lease terms, security deposits, etc.

  • This may require an architect and a contractor

  • Also, do not forget a lawyer to go over lease agreements and contracts!

  • All this will happen at the same time and will feel crazy!

  • Work with contractor, lawyer, real estate agent, Small Business Administration, and your bank

  • Package all the construction, vision, financials, etc into a business plan to get your loan!

  • This is a very capital intensive process, you will need a decent chunk of money

  • SAVE SAVE SAVE

  • BUILD GOOD CREDIT

  • We now run a Team-based concept where everyone does everything from cleaning to checking out to doing hair!

robert hughes
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