Botox Beauty Salon
Discussion
I am being repeatedly nagged by my other half regarding possibly opening up a Beauty Salon for her to run in the local village. The local village and surrounding area is very upmarket and has a single row of home interiors shops, ladies desinger clothes shops, quality cafe/winebar, indi. estate agents & hairdresser. Most of the ladies (and they are mostly ladies) who frequent this area are very well off and meet here most days to shop and socialise.
There is a small single fronted shop currently used as an art gallery which may soon be up for grabs.
Now my wife, who is currently one of the ladies mentioned above, has identified a potential business opportunity in the form of a Beauty Salon. The idea is that said ladies can get the usual manicure/pedicure etc. but more importantly - to them - have their Botox/Filler injections and other facial treatments inbetween shopping, coffee, hair etc. without the need to go into the local town/city.
My wife has had previous high end retail sales/managerial experience and is very knowledgeable of the beauty industry but is not currently qualified in any techniques. She has been informed that training can be obtained very quickly (1 or 2 days) for Botox etc. which I find very hard to beleive.
I don't want to come across all negative with her without facts so thought i'd throw it out to Pistonheads for any advice/previous experiences. Looking at it from a profit making standpoint, there is some serious money to be made as mark-up is huge. The business is repeat, as the treatments are semi-permanent and require top-up in 3-6mths.
Thanks for any input.
There is a small single fronted shop currently used as an art gallery which may soon be up for grabs. Now my wife, who is currently one of the ladies mentioned above, has identified a potential business opportunity in the form of a Beauty Salon. The idea is that said ladies can get the usual manicure/pedicure etc. but more importantly - to them - have their Botox/Filler injections and other facial treatments inbetween shopping, coffee, hair etc. without the need to go into the local town/city.
My wife has had previous high end retail sales/managerial experience and is very knowledgeable of the beauty industry but is not currently qualified in any techniques. She has been informed that training can be obtained very quickly (1 or 2 days) for Botox etc. which I find very hard to beleive.
I don't want to come across all negative with her without facts so thought i'd throw it out to Pistonheads for any advice/previous experiences. Looking at it from a profit making standpoint, there is some serious money to be made as mark-up is huge. The business is repeat, as the treatments are semi-permanent and require top-up in 3-6mths.
Thanks for any input.
Edited by Remster500 on Friday 17th April 09:46
Edited by Remster500 on Friday 17th April 09:47
I'm surprised it takes so little time to train for what is ultimately a medical procedure.
Is there anything "embarassing" about botox? Would your target customers like to sit in the coffee shops and watch the shop so they could say "so-and-so went into that botox shop, I SAW HER!" - conversely, would they be embarassed about going in in case "someone they knew" saw them?
I do think that if there is the right level of disposable income in the area it's a good idea (along whatever else the salon could provide)
Is there anything "embarassing" about botox? Would your target customers like to sit in the coffee shops and watch the shop so they could say "so-and-so went into that botox shop, I SAW HER!" - conversely, would they be embarassed about going in in case "someone they knew" saw them?
I do think that if there is the right level of disposable income in the area it's a good idea (along whatever else the salon could provide)
456mgt said:
I'm pretty certain you have to be a nurse or otherwise medically qualified to do botox.
I'm told (yet to do my own research) that for approx. £1k anyone can train up to administer botox/filler injections. The industry is not regulated although I know they are pushing for this.john_p said:
I'm surprised it takes so little time to train for what is ultimately a medical procedure.
Is there anything "embarassing" about botox? Would your target customers like to sit in the coffee shops and watch the shop so they could say "so-and-so went into that botox shop, I SAW HER!" - conversely, would they be embarassed about going in in case "someone they knew" saw them?
I do think that if there is the right level of disposable income in the area it's a good idea (along whatever else the salon could provide)
John,Is there anything "embarassing" about botox? Would your target customers like to sit in the coffee shops and watch the shop so they could say "so-and-so went into that botox shop, I SAW HER!" - conversely, would they be embarassed about going in in case "someone they knew" saw them?
I do think that if there is the right level of disposable income in the area it's a good idea (along whatever else the salon could provide)
These women see Botox as part of life so don't see embarassment as an issue.
The treatments would be in a private room at the back so no problem with people gazing through windows.I used to be involved in a similar business .
The location is so paramount as you know, If its got the demographic you require to build a sustainable busniess that is the first major hurdle.
Get the shortest lease possible even if it means your paying slightly over the odds initially( maybe even a rent free peroid at the start until open)
Give it 18 months and if the business is not yet sustaining itself pull the plug.
Qualifications, you dont need any in theory for nails,feet massage,sun bed if your doing them at home, but as a business you will need insurance and therefore you will need certificates in all treatments.
Most of the courses are short , some are only a few days. But i could learn to sail a boat today, it wont make me a fisherman yet though.
Women are seriously critical over these types of treatments and if they dont recieve the highest standard of treatment they simply wont return and neither will 20 of their friends.
My advice would be find a well trained experienced nail technican and build her wages into your costs for the first year.
Operate a cancellations policy right from the start, 24hrs notice.
Make sure you keep control of the books! With all the best will in the world my missus still forgot to get reciepts, still took money out of the till instead of petty cash tin and usually forgot that reciepts are money.
Friends and family must pay the same as everyone else, if you let them have it cheaper or free initially you will always be doing so. Within a short time you will end up with a book full of half price bookings.
If you are in the right area, Do not discount! Packages are different, but "well off or nouvo riche do not like to frequent discount shops of any kind"
Also i wouldnt plan for you or wife to take a wage at all in the first year, unless ofcourse your mega busy.
I hope this helps somewhat,, The biggest over all issue with these types of businesses is that they are not run like proper businesses, they are run buy women who like having their nails done and are kept a float year after year buy their spouse , constantly losing money.
The location is so paramount as you know, If its got the demographic you require to build a sustainable busniess that is the first major hurdle.
Get the shortest lease possible even if it means your paying slightly over the odds initially( maybe even a rent free peroid at the start until open)
Give it 18 months and if the business is not yet sustaining itself pull the plug.
Qualifications, you dont need any in theory for nails,feet massage,sun bed if your doing them at home, but as a business you will need insurance and therefore you will need certificates in all treatments.
Most of the courses are short , some are only a few days. But i could learn to sail a boat today, it wont make me a fisherman yet though.
Women are seriously critical over these types of treatments and if they dont recieve the highest standard of treatment they simply wont return and neither will 20 of their friends.
My advice would be find a well trained experienced nail technican and build her wages into your costs for the first year.
Operate a cancellations policy right from the start, 24hrs notice.
Make sure you keep control of the books! With all the best will in the world my missus still forgot to get reciepts, still took money out of the till instead of petty cash tin and usually forgot that reciepts are money.
Friends and family must pay the same as everyone else, if you let them have it cheaper or free initially you will always be doing so. Within a short time you will end up with a book full of half price bookings.
If you are in the right area, Do not discount! Packages are different, but "well off or nouvo riche do not like to frequent discount shops of any kind"
Also i wouldnt plan for you or wife to take a wage at all in the first year, unless ofcourse your mega busy.
I hope this helps somewhat,, The biggest over all issue with these types of businesses is that they are not run like proper businesses, they are run buy women who like having their nails done and are kept a float year after year buy their spouse , constantly losing money.
Is there assessment about competitor analysis already taken before deciding to run this? I think women would want this botox treatment on purpose, not in between their shopping time. Besides it can be categorized as medical treatment rather than beauty salon, I think personal with medical or nursing background would be preferable to handle the project than beautician, let alone only two days training...
I know that there are companies out there who do a sort of mobile service just doing Botox and the like by visiting different salons on different days. This seems to be the way a lot of the more traditional beauty salons can offer cosmetic procedures.
Just to clarify, I know this professionally not personally. My boyish good looks are 100% natural.
Just to clarify, I know this professionally not personally. My boyish good looks are 100% natural.
therealpigdog said:
I know that there are companies out there who do a sort of mobile service just doing Botox and the like by visiting different salons on different days. This seems to be the way a lot of the more traditional beauty salons can offer cosmetic procedures.
Just to clarify, I know this professionally not personally. My boyish good looks are 100% natural.
This is an interesting one and might be an easier way in during the 1st year. I am finding mixed info as to whether you need to be a qualified nurse/doc/dentist etc. in order to train for botox.Just to clarify, I know this professionally not personally. My boyish good looks are 100% natural.
Thanks for all the input so far, it is food for thought.
Remster500 said:
therealpigdog said:
I know that there are companies out there who do a sort of mobile service just doing Botox and the like by visiting different salons on different days. This seems to be the way a lot of the more traditional beauty salons can offer cosmetic procedures.
Just to clarify, I know this professionally not personally. My boyish good looks are 100% natural.
This is an interesting one and might be an easier way in during the 1st year. I am finding mixed info as to whether you need to be a qualified nurse/doc/dentist etc. in order to train for botox.Just to clarify, I know this professionally not personally. My boyish good looks are 100% natural.
Thanks for all the input so far, it is food for thought.
Remster500 said:
My wife has had previous high end retail sales/managerial experience and is very knowledgeable of the beauty industry but is not currently qualified in any techniques. She has been informed that training can be obtained very quickly (1 or 2 days) for Botox etc. which I find very hard to beleive.
She isnt wrong, training can indeed be had for about £1K in one or two days BUT you would have to be educated to NVQ level 3 in beauty therapy or a trained nurse/midwife/doc etc Edited by Remster500 on Friday 17th April 09:47
So in a nut shell, no she couldnt get training. You are talking a couple of years at college first.
But what about simply opening a beauty salon? or a nail salon?
If you have the right premesis and she wants to re-train you could set a salon up, employ a therapist and get missus to run the business/marketing side and run reception and she could go back to college in the evening and retrain so she could offer treatments herself.
PS Another major pain would be obtaining the correct licenses from your local council for invasive proceedures such as botox.
I run a home beauty salon after re-traing last year as a Nail Techncian then went on to train for waxing and tanning. So far so very good and i am looking at premises too. I would advise there is alot more background work required before being swayed by a pretty shop
How strange; I have been out all weekend looking for a failing salon to buy for the O/H too.
There are so many for sale for peanuts right now....seems that the hubbies round here can no longer afford to run these loss-leaders!
Cut and run in the order of the day. Some of the businesses I have viewed are being offered for less money than the equipment is worth!!!
The shambolic way in which these businesses are generally run is a serious eye opener. Consequently, there does seem to be an opportunity for a serious business person to make some money as a result!
I don't know the answer to the botox question, but it may be the best idea to just employ someone already qualified.
There are so many for sale for peanuts right now....seems that the hubbies round here can no longer afford to run these loss-leaders!
Cut and run in the order of the day. Some of the businesses I have viewed are being offered for less money than the equipment is worth!!!
The shambolic way in which these businesses are generally run is a serious eye opener. Consequently, there does seem to be an opportunity for a serious business person to make some money as a result!
I don't know the answer to the botox question, but it may be the best idea to just employ someone already qualified.
Martial Arts Man said:
How strange; I have been out all weekend looking for a failing salon to buy for the O/H too.
There are so many for sale for peanuts right now....seems that the hubbies round here can no longer afford to run these loss-leaders!
Cut and run in the order of the day. Some of the businesses I have viewed are being offered for less money than the equipment is worth!!!
The shambolic way in which these businesses are generally run is a serious eye opener. Consequently, there does seem to be an opportunity for a serious business person to make some money as a result!
I don't know the answer to the botox question, but it may be the best idea to just employ someone already qualified.
What i have noticed whilst looking is that the owners arent just shutting up shop to do knitting instead but to go mobile or open a home salon thus taking the customer base with them.There are so many for sale for peanuts right now....seems that the hubbies round here can no longer afford to run these loss-leaders!
Cut and run in the order of the day. Some of the businesses I have viewed are being offered for less money than the equipment is worth!!!
The shambolic way in which these businesses are generally run is a serious eye opener. Consequently, there does seem to be an opportunity for a serious business person to make some money as a result!
I don't know the answer to the botox question, but it may be the best idea to just employ someone already qualified.
I have concluded that rather than take on someone else poor reputation and no customers you are better off starting one up from scratch. There alot of empty A1 retail units out there empty.
Lemmonie said:
Martial Arts Man said:
How strange; I have been out all weekend looking for a failing salon to buy for the O/H too.
There are so many for sale for peanuts right now....seems that the hubbies round here can no longer afford to run these loss-leaders!
Cut and run in the order of the day. Some of the businesses I have viewed are being offered for less money than the equipment is worth!!!
The shambolic way in which these businesses are generally run is a serious eye opener. Consequently, there does seem to be an opportunity for a serious business person to make some money as a result!
I don't know the answer to the botox question, but it may be the best idea to just employ someone already qualified.
What i have noticed whilst looking is that the owners arent just shutting up shop to do knitting instead but to go mobile or open a home salon thus taking the customer base with them.There are so many for sale for peanuts right now....seems that the hubbies round here can no longer afford to run these loss-leaders!
Cut and run in the order of the day. Some of the businesses I have viewed are being offered for less money than the equipment is worth!!!
The shambolic way in which these businesses are generally run is a serious eye opener. Consequently, there does seem to be an opportunity for a serious business person to make some money as a result!
I don't know the answer to the botox question, but it may be the best idea to just employ someone already qualified.
I have concluded that rather than take on someone else poor reputation and no customers you are better off starting one up from scratch. There alot of empty A1 retail units out there empty.
As I don't know the sector too well, I need a contingency plan if my skills arent as legendary as I believe :-)
You are right about the customers though, and to be honest, I think that's a good thing. Most of the places I have visited have clearly responded to hard times by cutting their prices; some to the point where they can't be making any dosh. Customers used to rock bottom prices are always difficult when you try and raise the bar!
I guess it just depends on how much risk you want to take on in pursuit of the goal. I'm quite conservative by nature so a fixed risk of 3 years rent and a few quid in wages works best for me.
Maybe the OP's O/H should set up shop in a spare room for 6 months before taking the plunge; build up some regular income that way beforehand.
My wife does a lot of Botox as we own a dental practice. I don't think you can just open and look at doing Botox with a beauty salon as a side line, do it the other way round possibly. Patients come in but you have to build up people over months or years who want it every three months. As said you need to be a dentist or doctor or work as a registered nurse working under prescription.
Also a pot of Botox lasts a few days and costs hundreds so you need a a good few people to even break even after rent, rates, staff, equipment etc.
Thats even if you can get it we have nurses wanting us to purchase it for them as Allergan won't sell it without prescription.
Also a pot of Botox lasts a few days and costs hundreds so you need a a good few people to even break even after rent, rates, staff, equipment etc.
Thats even if you can get it we have nurses wanting us to purchase it for them as Allergan won't sell it without prescription.
I think your biggest risk here is regulatory.
If there was ever something that opened itself up to a tightening of regulations it's (relatively) unqualified civilians injecting people's faces with one of the most toxic substances known to man.
It would only take one "horror" story from some random back street operation in Nowheresville for your customer base to leg it to Harley St.
I wish you the best of luck but the economy isn't going to get better anytime soon and this is certainly a bull market trade - belts have further to be tightened for non-essential expenditure. You're better off buying the O/H something else to keep her busy and sit on your cash until everything gets even cheaper.
Just my 0.02
If there was ever something that opened itself up to a tightening of regulations it's (relatively) unqualified civilians injecting people's faces with one of the most toxic substances known to man.
It would only take one "horror" story from some random back street operation in Nowheresville for your customer base to leg it to Harley St.
I wish you the best of luck but the economy isn't going to get better anytime soon and this is certainly a bull market trade - belts have further to be tightened for non-essential expenditure. You're better off buying the O/H something else to keep her busy and sit on your cash until everything gets even cheaper.
Just my 0.02
My accountant did it 4 years ago. She's given up her day job and has just opened her 3rd Salon. She started from scratch in every respect. Attended all the trade shows and training and she's doing well. Only problem is constant hassle from staff, ie few people actually want to work and those that do will try to ramsom you.
I would suggest a salon with everything rather than just Botox/Nails.
I would suggest a hairdressers with Botox etc as a side line within the salon.
My other half runs a successful salon employing 7 staff.
Biggest problems.........................................STAFF, and not a lot of money.
I would suggest a hairdressers with Botox etc as a side line within the salon.
My other half runs a successful salon employing 7 staff.
Biggest problems.........................................STAFF, and not a lot of money.
We own a couple of salons and beauty parlours and offer Botox but after lots of research and thought we decided its a very bad idea as you only need one mistake to cost you a hell of a lot of cash in a compensation pay out.
So we decided to have someone come in twice a month and do it on our behalf, we take bookings, offer her a space and clients and in return we take a cut of the profits. He takes all the risks, its his name on the chopping block if things go wrong and we get to distance ourselves (to an extent) a medical procedure.
We have found the industry to be seasonal, winter times there's very little call for beauty treatments, a lot of women even cut back on the number of haircuts they have. We barely break even on the sunbeds and some beauty treatments dont get any bookings. Come summer months we are overbooked and our girls work long hours.
We obviously make provisions for the winter quiet and keep our staff busy with freebies for staff from our other business interests. Only in winter though and we do this to keep the place busy, if people see a busy shop when walking by the assume it must be good.
At the moment as said above is a good time to buy, loads for sale that people havent been able to keep going through not only a bad winter but "poor economic climate" too. Im looking at purchasing two more at the moment, but cant negotiate decent lease terms. I want to go on current lease prices but owners want me to sign a lease on what a property might be worth in 12 months - morons.
So we decided to have someone come in twice a month and do it on our behalf, we take bookings, offer her a space and clients and in return we take a cut of the profits. He takes all the risks, its his name on the chopping block if things go wrong and we get to distance ourselves (to an extent) a medical procedure.
We have found the industry to be seasonal, winter times there's very little call for beauty treatments, a lot of women even cut back on the number of haircuts they have. We barely break even on the sunbeds and some beauty treatments dont get any bookings. Come summer months we are overbooked and our girls work long hours.
We obviously make provisions for the winter quiet and keep our staff busy with freebies for staff from our other business interests. Only in winter though and we do this to keep the place busy, if people see a busy shop when walking by the assume it must be good.
At the moment as said above is a good time to buy, loads for sale that people havent been able to keep going through not only a bad winter but "poor economic climate" too. Im looking at purchasing two more at the moment, but cant negotiate decent lease terms. I want to go on current lease prices but owners want me to sign a lease on what a property might be worth in 12 months - morons.
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