Nail Salon Business

[ironlady]

Hi there, I am intending to open a Nail Salon business, which will offer Manicure,Pedicure as well as threading services for ladies. I just need some info to some queries.

1) Is it wise to look for a total new place or a salon available for take over business ?

2) Also, what kind of concept or new ideas should I look into?

3) Most important, how successful will a Nail Salon be ?


Thanks for the assistance.

Cheers.

[sundaymorningstaple]

Hi there, I am intending to open a Nail Salon business, which will offer Manicure,Pedicure as well as threading services for ladies. I just need some info to some queries.

1) Is it wise to look for a total new place or a salon available for take over business ?

2) Also, what kind of concept or new ideas should I look into?

3) Most important, how successful will a Nail Salon be ?


Thanks for the assistance.

Cheers.

Ironlady,

I would think either would be suitable provided which you did your homework first. If it's a new location, how much are you going to have to sink into total renovations?

If it's an existing location, why is the owner giving it up? You need to know this as if the traffic is low, it's no go, if the traffic is high but the wrong type it's also no go. I have a friend who opened a Thai cooked food stall a number of years ago in the Amara Hotel. This stall did a booming business. With that confidence in his menu and so forth he decided to expand and opened a shop in the heartlands in Hougang - it was a total flop and he had to close within 6 months. Why? Plenty of traffic, but unfortunately the uncles and aunties were going to the chickenrice stalls. They're not as adventurous as the expatriatate crowd that frequents his Amara Stall.

Concept or new ideas, haven't a clue - if I did I'd have probably opened a nail salon as well.

As far as how successful that depend on a combination of the above informations and answers that you have to find as well as the reputation you develop with you clientel. Word of mouth advertising is the most valuable there is. It costs nothing and can create huge returns. Problem is it is usually dependent on "QUALITY SERVICE", something that is sorely lacking here in Singapore, and value for money. If you have a habit of tearing the quick's of your customer while doing their nails, you won't have business long.

Service, Quality, Cost and concept. Get these right in the right location and you should be okay.

sms

[ironlady]

Thanks SMS.. I am quite new in this area but I think that taking over a business will be either, it may help reduce expenditure a bit. however ,what you said is also true,.. well lets see.. do you any idea of websites that I can go to ,to get information on opening Nail Bars and where to get the suppliers from ?

Thanks once again!

[James**]

I think it might be good to check out the competition by visiting a couple of them and also decide on the clientele that you will be targetting.

Have you been to Holland Village shopping centre, there are 2 outlets on the same level, and also the major shopping centres, etc.

[tiki]

Whether to operate a new shop or taking over an existing one,

one of they key factors to consider is traffic.

Then you take into account SMS's suggestion.

You need to set a target of when you'd like to break even as well.

As for ideas to stand out, there is a basic key to cover that

The success of your Salon will depend on the level of services provided, the standard of your staff, the knowledge of your product ( being able to provide alternative ideas/solutions for your clientele as well as for your business ) and other stuff.

As with other business..

do your research and scout the scene.

G'luck eh

[ironlady]

Thanks Tiki, but you know what... I am wondering that should I look for a shop space as soon as I finish my course or should I attend some seminars and workshops on handling our businesses....... yeah James, I do go the one at Holland V...for my mani n pedi,but then ..its a whole lot of difference starting for the first time,,lol...well,,anyway..lets see..

[ksl]

Thanks Tiki, but you know what... I am wondering that should I look for a shop space as soon as I finish my course or should I attend some seminars and workshops on handling our businesses....... yeah James, I do go the one at Holland V...for my mani n pedi,but then ..its a whole lot of difference starting for the first time,,lol...well,,anyway..lets see..

AAR! Mrs Thatcher, I thought you had retired, nail business! Mmm! yes I know a few in the industry, especially the chippies on the building sites.

It's quite a jump from politics, to nails, but i would suggest feeling out the competition, get to know, their strengths and weaknesses, identify your own, and see what you can come up with, to take them on! QUALITY & SERVICE must be a winner, stick to the upper ranks dear.

Not that I know much of this kind of business, but if i was you, I would try to offer my services, on a freelance basis, until you feel more comfortable to throw your hard earned savings into it.

Try some upper class spa's maybe, they can take you in, to do their clients, you will soon build up your own clientel, by word of mouth, have some cards printed, and a trendy website and kill two birds with one stone! exposure dear!!! No not indecent exposure, be polite! AND REMEMBER WHAT SMS SAID!!! good luck

[bright_wave]

Hi there, I am intending to open a Nail Salon business, which will offer Manicure,Pedicure as well as threading services for ladies. I just need some info to some queries.

1) Is it wise to look for a total new place or a salon available for take over business ?

2) Also, what kind of concept or new ideas should I look into?

3) Most important, how successful will a Nail Salon be ?


Thanks for the assistance.

Cheers.

Ironlady,

I would think either would be suitable provided which you did your homework first. If it's a new location, how much are you going to have to sink into total renovations?

If it's an existing location, why is the owner giving it up? You need to know this as if the traffic is low, it's no go, if the traffic is high but the wrong type it's also no go. I have a friend who opened a Thai cooked food stall a number of years ago in the Amara Hotel. This stall did a booming business. With that confidence in his menu and so forth he decided to expand and opened a shop in the heartlands in Hougang - it was a total flop and he had to close within 6 months. Why? Plenty of traffic, but unfortunately the uncles and aunties were going to the chickenrice stalls. They're not as adventurous as the expatriatate crowd that frequents his Amara Stall.

Concept or new ideas, haven't a clue - if I did I'd have probably opened a nail salon as well.

As far as how successful that depend on a combination of the above informations and answers that you have to find as well as the reputation you develop with you clientel. Word of mouth advertising is the most valuable there is. It costs nothing and can create huge returns. Problem is it is usually dependent on "QUALITY SERVICE", something that is sorely lacking here in Singapore, and value for money. If you have a habit of tearing the quick's of your customer while doing their nails, you won't have business long.

Service, Quality, Cost and concept. Get these right in the right location and you should be okay.

sms

Hi there,

the common trend for nail salons are selling their services in packages. There are some interesting franchises such as dashing diva in suntec offering Ladies nightout packages, includign unlimited drinks while they do your nails. Like what sundaymorningstaple said; location is important as well. There are lots of neighbourhood nail salons that are doing well that's because they serve the neighbour population and their price fits their budget too. Up-scale nail salons spend lots of money on marketing to get their name out there. For a start, maybe you can go with an existing concept that works then build your customer base from there. Since that concept worked already, you don't have to reinvent the wheel!

My two cents worth.

Good luck!