If you’re a brand new salon owner or booth renter, we first and foremost want to say this–congratulations! Before we dive into some heavy–but important–advice, take a little time for yourself to just soak in this moment.
You set a goal, and you made it happen, and even though there’s a ton of hard work ahead, it’s going to be totally worth it. Embrace the fact that you made this dream of yours come true!
Done with your totally-deserved happy dance? Good! It’s time to get down to business–your business, that is.
It’s no secret that as a new owner, you’re going to make mistakes. That’s got nothing to do with your abilities or ambitions; rather, it’s just the nature of the cosmetology ownership beast. There are things you won’t know how to handle until you approach them, and that’s just part of the experience.
Still, that doesn’t mean you can’t learn from those who came before you to help expedite your success and potentially avoid some big missteps along the way. What does it take to tackle this? A little reading, a bit of studying, and plenty of self-humbling. Try not to let your pride get in the way, take note from those who have been in the industry a long time, and make sure you follow along with our regularly updated blog for even more advice.
But to start, begin here. This blog covers the top 3 mistakes most salon owners make when they first open up shop. One read-through and you’ll have the knowledge you need to avoid big mistakes like these!
The Top 3 Mistakes New Salon Owners Make When They First Open
Don’t get us wrong; these aren’t the only mistakes you’ll want to try to avoid. But these are some seriously common ones. And guess what? If you do make some mistakes, you can always rectify them. It’s important to realize that just because we’re cautioning against common mistakes doesn’t mean it’s the end of the world if they happen. Still, avoiding the big ones–like these–all together can help you find seamless success much faster!
1. Not Investing in Cosmetology Liability Insurance
Many stylists turned salon owners don’t automatically consider cosmetology liability insurance simply because they haven’t had to think about it before.
But as your role changes, so does your frame of mind–and that means protection and prevention should come first to protect your career! That’s where cosmetology insurance comes into play.
Without liability insurance for your beauty career (and salon), you’re running the risk of shouldering all the responsibility (financial and otherwise) should something go wrong. And trust us, nothing puts a bigger wrench in your career’s trajectory than an allegation that costs a ton of money and time to sort through.
It’s important to remember that cosmetology liability insurance may not necessarily be required (especially if you’re renting a salon suite somewhere), but that doesn’t make it any less crucial. Even if the building tenants have their own insurance policy, that coverage is going to take care of them if something happens. That means you’re on your own if something goes wrong.
With top-notch beauty pro insurance (like our policy at Beauty Insurance Plus), you’re making an investment in your career’s longevity, financial success, and future because you’re protecting yourself from things that could go wrong.
2. Not Growing Your Career Through Education
The cosmetology industry has, perhaps, the most limitless potential of any industry out there career-wise–but only if you invest in continuing education. This industry is always changing, and without a desire and discipline to invest in continuing education and following updated trends, your career will likely halt at a standstill.
Don’t misinterpret us; this isn’t a threat! There are plenty of salon owners who find success doing the same thing they’ve always done. But if you’re chasing lasting ambition and endless potential, continuing education is the path to focus on.
The good news? If you’re a BIP member, you’ll get access to over $750 member benefits, including a free one-month trial to BTC university from behindthechair.com.
3. Not Focusing on the Client Experience
Even if you feel like you’ve perfected the client experience, it’s important to understand this process is a never-ending evolution. Think about it this way–your client is the backbone of your business.
If they’re not satisfied or experiencing a 10 out of 10 experience every time, there’s room for improvement. Examine all the facets of your customer’s experience and figure out ways to perfect them–then do this process over and over again! Trust us, ignoring this is an enormous mistake and can put off your progress!
Take Your Career to New Heights With Beauty Insurance Plus
It’s not enough to actively avoid big mistakes like these; you need to proactively protect your career, yourself, and your future, too. That’s another way cosmetology liability insurance can help. If you’re ready to put your future first, become a member of Beauty Insurance Plus today–we can help you plan, prep, and pick the perfect plan for your unique cosmetology insurance needs.
