Business History Books » Business Plans » Suggestions for marketing a new barbershop?
Suggestions for marketing a new barbershop?
Question:
Gary: What is your target market? If you know your audience, you can tailor your services to meet their needs, and boost your profits. It all starts with the customer, and therefore you have to choose the customers you want to serve. It is possible for the same shop to serve several groups of customers, but you have to design your services and price them differently to meet their needs. You also have to realize that an empty chair brings no revenue. For example: 1. Working men. Open at 6am by appointment so there is no waiting. Many men would pay extra to get a haircut on the way to work, so they have the rest of their day free. Saturdays, prices are 2-3 dollars more, all day. What you’re offering is a good haircut in less time. 2. Stay-at-home moms with young kids: Discount in the afternoons on tuesdays and wednesdays, typically slow days. Have a clown come in or show kidvids and make it fun. Cater to the mom’s too. You’re offering an inexpensive haircut, and some relief. 3. Retirees: Senior discounts from 8-11 tuesday-friday. 4. Teenagers: Style is very important. For this group you must emphasize the ability to produce whatever look is in. You can draw these kids in after school and into the evenings on most weekdays. And don’t forget ancillary services. 1. Make a deal with local shop, so people can drop off and pick up their shoes, dry cleaning, etc. 2. Have a soda machine. 3. Rent some space to a boot black. 4. Install some terminals so people can surf the net while they wait…for a fee. This is just the tip of the iceberg. The real message here: Understand your customer, and cater to their needs like nobody else.
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> So . . . whatcha think of all this– the > * "Not with those hands you don’t!" caption for a scene in a cosmetologist’s > shop, and comparing it to my sanitary workshop . . . > Emphasizing this cleanliness thing seems kind of weird, > and might backfire. It suggests that there is something > wrong with your industry in general. I suggest just making > it the cleanest shop anyone has ever seen and letting customers > form their own opinions. > * Doing away with tips > I absolutely hate tipping. It is a stupid practice, and > unnecessary if employees are paid well and perform well. > If they don’t, they shouldn’t be there anyway. > Some customers will feel like they need to tip anyway, so > signs that say something like "Tips included in price." > or a tip jar for your community’s school band or charity > would might make them feel really good, and feeling good > when they leave seems as important as looking good when they > leave. > * Dressing up the shop with wood floor, leather furniture, etc (maybe carved > wood paneling) > Can’t hurt, although I wouldn’t spend so much that you need to > make your prices much higher. > * Setting up shop in an area with net average income, instead of in the > richer suburban areas . . . > Well, there are a lot more middle class people than rich people. > It seems like some barber shops are places where people in the > community hang out, and I think this used to be the case at many > of them many years ago. If you can bring back that atmosphere > you might really have something. > — > Industrologic, Inc. http://www.industrologic.com > Phone: (636) 723-4000 Fax: (636) 724-2288
Response:
Thanks for the reply . . . very informative, I printed it out and I’ll be wrestling with it for a while . . . > There needs to be acquired quantitative research to show which unmet > needs exist in your marketplace which are important enough to be your > USP (unique Selling Proposition or Advantage). To qualify as your USP, > the advantage should be one SIGNIFICANT enough to cause a customer to > switch, not easily cultivatable by your competition, and in alignment > with your brand/ image strategy.
I did some preliminary thinking on this . . . haircuts are pretty much a commodity, I find that some folks are happy so long as you just subdue the hair, and others (the worst are teenagers) will fuss until the cows come home and never are fully satisfied . . . but that’s another story . . . Because haircuts are a "get-it-anywhere" commodity, I guess I’ll need some sort of gimmick. I ain’t pretty enough to wear a tube top (no barber IMHO is, especially at 48), but I can have the nicest looking place in town, the sort of place that makes ‘em say, "Oooo, nice joint!" and be sanitary, and instead of making a real big deal about pestilences and plagues spread through dirty combs, I could post a small (5"x5") sign in a conspicuous place that tells ‘em they get . . . "freshly washed hands, a clean comb, sanitized shears, and a brand new razor blade as a part of their haircut to prevent the spread of germs . . ." something like that, still need to reduce the word count some . . . and make sure the customer is positioned so they can see the sanitation steps going on . . . I don’t know what USP could catch ‘em as they drove by, but I think with a bit of advertising in a local newspaper that was effective for me with a prior business (piano tuning), I can get some people in (probably do a one time grand opening promotion, where the price is $1 the first week, $2 the second, all the way up to the maximum price), then hope they mention the good deal and good haircut they got at the nice barbershop to their pals. Yah, I’ll probably have to think of something they see, do, or get in the shop that really makes an impression on ‘em so that they use the experience in a conversation . . . . Aside from that, I’ve gotta do some more thinking on the USP thing . . . > At the outset of any business concept, the rule of the "total marketing > concept" must be applied. > This means that you begin with a product need which is under served by > the markets own desires, rather than your own intuition. (It’s seductive > to use "field of dreams " methodology –if I build it they will come– > but avoid this strategy unless you don’t mind possibly loosing the > investment.) > Intuition is best applied to imagining HOW to best satisfy needs once > discovered and verified, not the perception of needs. But again, let the > verifiable market demands drive your identity.
Think I could do that by figuring the ratio of barbers to heads in each region? Everyone gets a haircut sooner or later . . . > Extreme sanitation, although good/ ethical to do, may or may not be a > good enough ace or USP from a competitive standpoint. > I agree however that you are moving in the right direction with > ‘consumer advocacy’ marketing techniques, and I think that’s where you > are coming from.
Funny thing . . . it’s hardly "extreme sanitation." It’s more like "bare minimum" as required by the gov’t. Most people probably wouldn’t know, though . . . > After determining the best USP, the product/ service needs to be tested > accordingly on some scale. What about having several other barbers you > know begin to wash between cuts every saturday and monitor to what > extent the tips increase from previous saturdays? The point is to test > your hypothesis prior to building an entire store around it.
That’s a good idea . . . I know just the shop to try this in . . . he’ll probably think I’m nuts (and he may be right) but he owes me a couple favors .. . . Probably will have to confine the experiment to posting the little sign and letting the customers see the deliberateness of the action, then observe their response, as I’m pretty sure his shop is pretty clean anyway (I think) . . . > If you do verify this as a market need worth switching for with > research, always have the next level of service ready to take it up a > notch as the competition rides your heels, because this may be easy for > a competitor to duplicate, cutting into your share.
True . . . but I’m counting on the human tendency to laziness and sloth plus the desire to save 40 cents per razor blade to keep the competition from doing the right thing. But as you say, best be prepared just in case . . . I guess I could have a shoe shine guy come in . . . I know where the head-honcho of the area’s shoe shine people is (they’ve got some sort of organization) . . . I’ve never seen one anywhere else. Hmmm . . . probably need to watch people’s shoes and see what % wear shineable leather vs Reeboks . . . > Tipping: The four primary human motivators, classically speaking, are > EASE, MONEY, EXCLUSIVITY, and FEAR. If you are using fear as your USP > (fear of contamination as in sanitation) then small MONEY savings are > not likely to be as significant a motivator to that market. Usually a > person who has insurance for EVERYTHING also wants the BEST insurance > also. Follow me?
Yeah . . . > So instead of NO TIPPING, try DOUBLING the tip jar for > your help, and RAISING your prices to the top of the price-point (the > most your industry will ethically allow and customers will pay).
Don’t know what you mean by "Doubling the tip jar . . ." I already figured I’d post slightly higher prices than the competition . .. they’re at $11 and $12, I figured I could do either $13 with tips or $15 without. The hired help may have some strong opinion on the topic and affect what I decide there . . . but yah, my place is going to be lots nicer, and a small bit more expensive . . . > Then insist that the barbers are well versed in business, humor, sports > current events, females (sorry ladies, but it’s a fact of barberdom…
Oh geez . . . I think some of us are going to have to specialize in some topics . . . Nothing bores me more than professional sports . . . no idea why. But give me the IRS tax manual and I’ll be absorbed for days. When I kept my Wall Street News subscription up, I was fairly conversant on all the business stuff going on . . . I can keep up my end of the conversation on just about anything else, but when it comes to sports — ugh. And TV’s and Radios with games on irritate the bajoombas out of me . . . so . . . I guess it’ll be XMSR in the background and draw some of the other folks in the shop into the conversation . . . > we do bond U know lol) and anything else the client may want to discuss.
Yah, I can do the anything else . . . I’ve found the best conversation picker-upper are dogs and cats. Everyone has had at least one, and can tell stories for hours and hours about ‘em . . . it’s really amazing. "Oh little Snuffy used to sit on the back of my Kawasaki and ride for hours and hours. Then blah blah blah and then laides would blah blah blah and that’s how I met my first wife . . ." Never fails. > Insist that they (the barbers) be the best of the best. Take them out > for seafood once a month and converse on these topics to make sure they > are conversant. No, I’m not kidding.Treat them like KINGS and ensure > that each client is also treated as a king.
Absolutely. I’m gonna encourage ‘em to be creative, try to invent a new "do" and make it their specialty . . . do a manikin head with the style, put it in the shop window and see how many they can sell. If what they got ain’t selling, they get to try again . . . Plus there are instructional tapes that vendors put out . . . gotta get a bunch of them . . . Plus I figure that as they get better and better, they may want to open up their own shop. Maybe by that time I can figure out how to franchise mine, if not, offer ‘em lots of help as long as they open up shop somewhere far away (don’t wanna deal with the extra competition) . . . But barbers tend to drop anchor and stay put for decades, so that might not be a problem, I dunno. We’ll see . . . > Any cut not PERFECT is free. No excuses, no exceptions.
Yah . . . as far as I know, in the biz, if someone is really upset with their cut, they get to walk out free. But I like to ask the client if I gave ‘em what they had in mind . .. sometimes you can tell people are shy to say no, so I prod ‘em . .. I’ll say, "If I was going to make a few more clips, where should they be?" or "Are you sure? I’m in no hurry, and I’d hate letting you out of my chair if your haircut wasn’t exactly perfect." Then the shy ones will open up, and then I send ‘em out with the best haircut they’ve had in a long while. But I know not to do that with teenagers . . . oy vey, they’ll fuss and primp and take forever; worry over a single hair in front being 7/64" long or 6/64" long. I had one kid I was ready to shoot . . . after every snip he’d immediately turn his head and look to see what it looked like . . . took forever to get him out of the chair, and that was about the only time my temper was starting to run short. But all that’s beside the point . . . > If a cut is not > looking good the next day, let them return for a touch up for free.
Haven’t ever had that problem . . . that’s a maybe . . . have to think about it . . . >Make > the paneled walls and tin roofs secondary to this service, assuming you > will decorate nicely, and clean daily.
Yah . . . the service will be at least equal to the environment. Only challenge will be to get the help to break their bad habits and start doing things right. It’s gonna be a condition of continued employment, that’s for sure . . . Gonna have to find the … read more »
Response:
> Hey Tock > I think this is a good idea. I would however, keep the tipping or at least > say it is in the price. Also, you will get more customers if you focus on > the look and feel of the place more than marketing it as sanitary.
Yah, I think you’re right . . . I think what I might do is post a sign that says Every haircut includes freshly washed hands an unused comb a new razor blade for your neck shave .. . . something like that. Sad to say, few haircutters wash hands, I’ve seen too many use the same comb and razor blade all day long . . . had one boss (shop owner) tell me to use the same razor instead of changing it, which is not only against the law, but is a good way to spread hepatitis. There aren’t enough inspectors to check for all this, so these bad proctices continue unabated. Ugh. I didn’t last too long in that shop . . . > People > will respond more to places that look cool, hip, high end and yet > comfortable. I don’t think marketing it as sanitary as compared to other > places will go over well.. However, if you spend the time to keep it looking > clean, people will automatically assume it is even if it is not. I think you > are on target with the marketing strategy. Tarket customers with a lot of > disposable income who are younger (not teens) and like to take care of > themselves. > I would definitely like to know more about your plan as I too am working on > something similar. Hopefully you are not in Texas.
Lol . . . yep, Texas. You must have seen some of this stuff going on too, eh? {Please delete bottom-quoting so us moderators don’t have to. Thanks. stj]
Response:
Tock, I feel you are applying the right attitude but the approach needs tightening up. There needs to be acquired quantitative research to show which unmet needs exist in your marketplace which are important enough to be your USP (unique Selling Proposition or Advantage). To qualify as your USP, the advantage should be one SIGNIFICANT enough to cause a customer to switch, not easily cultivatable by your competition, and in alignment with your brand/ image strategy. At the outset of any business concept, the rule of the "total marketing concept" must be applied. This means that you begin with a product need which is under served by the markets own desires, rather than your own intuition. (It’s seductive to use "field of dreams " methodology –if I build it they will come– but avoid this strategy unless you don’t mind possibly loosing the investment.) Intuition is best applied to imagining HOW to best satisfy needs once discovered and verified, not the perception of needs. But again, let the verifiable market demands drive your identity. Extreme sanitation, although good/ ethical to do, may or may not be a good enough ace or USP from a competitive standpoint. I agree however that you are moving in the right direction with ‘consumer advocacy’ marketing techniques, and I think that’s where you are coming from. After determining the best USP, the product/ service needs to be tested accordingly on some scale. What about having several other barbers you know begin to wash between cuts every saturday and monitor to what extent the tips increase from previous saturdays? The point is to test your hypothesis prior to building an entire store around it. If you do verify this as a market need worth switching for with research, always have the next level of service ready to take it up a notch as the competition rides your heels, because this may be easy for a competitor to duplicate, cutting into your share. Tipping: The four primary human motivators, classically speaking, are EASE, MONEY, EXCLUSIVITY, and FEAR. If you are using fear as your USP (fear of contamination as in sanitation) then small MONEY savings are not likely to be as significant a motivator to that market. Usually a person who has insurance for EVERYTHING also wants the BEST insurance also. Follow me? So instead of NO TIPPING, try DOUBLING the tip jar for your help, and RAISING your prices to the top of the price-point (the most your industry will ethically allow and customers will pay). Then insist that the barbers are well versed in business, humor, sports current events, females (sorry ladies, but it’s a fact of barberdom… we do bond U know lol) and anything else the client may want to discuss. Insist that they (the barbers) be the best of the best. Take them out for seafood once a month and converse on these topics to make sure they are conversant. No, I’m not kidding.Treat them like KINGS and ensure that each client is also treated as a king. Any cut not PERFECT is free. No excuses, no exceptions. If a cut is not looking good the next day, let them return for a touch up for free. Make the paneled walls and tin roofs secondary to this service, assuming you will decorate nicely, and clean daily. OR compute the industry average for tips then pay someone that amount to offer clients a choice of free shoe shines (shoes can be hand carried) shaves or nail cuts. Be careful with the game boards. Better big screen TV’s or semi-private booths might go over better, again its all about proving your theories and establishing a solid set of plans accordingly. At 60k per year, over the next ten years, you personally have over half a million riding on this. Since you have the funds, go ahead and do the research. Areas of Caution: Competitive advantage is subject to competitors mutations. Competitive advantage is unproven Slick Looks: Beyond a certain point, subject to diminishing returns? Exclusivity a better branding statement than cost savings All the best, ~zion~
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> For some inexplicable reasons, Gary Peek > : > :> * Dressing up the shop with wood floor, leather furniture, etc (maybe carved > :> wood paneling) > : > :Can’t hurt, although I wouldn’t spend so much that you need to > :make your prices much higher. > Do watch the decor items. I spoke with a manager of a > franchise hair salon who had once starter her own shop. She spend a > lot of money on each station, only to find that her location didn’t > provide enough business at first to cover her costs. > She freely admitted that she should have outfitted one or two > stations to start and upgraded the rest as she had the ready cash. If > her start-up costs had been lower, she could have lasted > longer–perhaps long enough to attract sufficient customers. > — > Wendy Chatley Green
Thanks for the suggestion . . . I’m in the enviable position of having lots of ready cash, thanks to getting out of the dot com boom at a good time . . . Then again, they say that there are ways to make a small fortune if you only start with a large one, and that’s the kind of thing I’d want to avoid. Even if I don’t make a dime in revenue, I’ll be able to afford to keep the place open ten or fifteen years, paying operating expenses and a comfy allowance for me . . . I expect, though, with 2 assistants and a moderate flow of customer traffic, to net around $60k, so things ought to be pretty ok. I’m hoping to figure out how to get the sort of reputation and word-of-mouth advertising that’ll bring in people standing in line. I figure if neighborhood restaurants can do it, then maybe I can too . . . If not, well, there are always options . . . On one hand, I’m trying to figure out what I should spend $$$ on to get the biggest return on investment, but on the other hand, I’m thinking that if I’m gonna be inside this place for 8 to 12 hours a day, I want it to be a pleasant place to be in. I’ve been weighing all sorts of possibilities, like a wood floor would look real nice, but sometimes you get water spills from shampoos, and then there’s the wet feet coming in on rainy days . . . So I might end up with tile instead, but then I still have to go have a chat with my insurance guy to see if there are things I’m gonna have to add to keep insurance costs down . . . But ya, the general idea will be to offer good haircuts & other barbering services in a nice looking shop (better than 99% of other area shops) in a sanitary manner (better than 95% of other area shops) at a competitive price while making the owner and associates better-than-average income. (Ooooo I like that sentence; I’m gonna save it and post it somewhere).
Response:
> So . . . whatcha think of all this– the > * "Not with those hands you don’t!" caption for a scene in a cosmetologist’s > shop, and comparing it to my sanitary workshop . . .
Emphasizing this cleanliness thing seems kind of weird, and might backfire. It suggests that there is something wrong with your industry in general. I suggest just making it the cleanest shop anyone has ever seen and letting customers form their own opinions. > * Doing away with tips
I absolutely hate tipping. It is a stupid practice, and unnecessary if employees are paid well and perform well. If they don’t, they shouldn’t be there anyway. Some customers will feel like they need to tip anyway, so signs that say something like "Tips included in price." or a tip jar for your community’s school band or charity would might make them feel really good, and feeling good when they leave seems as important as looking good when they leave. > * Dressing up the shop with wood floor, leather furniture, etc (maybe carved > wood paneling)
Can’t hurt, although I wouldn’t spend so much that you need to make your prices much higher. > * Setting up shop in an area with net average income, instead of in the > richer suburban areas . . .
Well, there are a lot more middle class people than rich people. It seems like some barber shops are places where people in the community hang out, and I think this used to be the case at many of them many years ago. If you can bring back that atmosphere you might really have something. — Industrologic, Inc. http://www.industrologic.com Phone: (636) 723-4000 Fax: (636) 724-2288
Response:
I’m giving some serious thought on opening up my own barbershop next summer. I’ve got the $$$ to get it started, no problem there, got enough for a nice wood floor, tin ceiling, nice workstations, shiny new oversized and xtra comfy barber chairs. Maybe a couplea leather sofas for the waiting area. All of the other existing shops (2 barber shops in a 4 mile radius, about 15 mixed beauty-men’s shops) in the area are ancient, dusty, and dirty, in dire need of some updating. One thing I’ve noticed at all the cosmetology shops (includes Procuts, supercuts, QuickClips) is that they don’t provide their haircutters a sink to wash their hands between customers, which means at the end of a busy day your haircutter could spread the unwashed fingers which have been through a dozen stranger’s hair through yours. Yes, the state laws say they’re supposed to wash between customers, but if they don’t have a sink, they ain’t gonna do it. Geez, I’ve worked in barber shops where barbers had their own sinks, and they didn’t wash between customers . . . Anyway, I’m thinking I could differentiate my shop from the cosmetology shops by tactfully mentioning the difference in cleanliness due to every barber having quick access to his own sink–at least until all the hairdressers in town come burn down my building . . . and I’m thinking that if I put some extra effort to make the shop look good (I’m going for the lawyer’s office look) and keep it as clean as it should be, that should help attract and hopefully keep a bunch of new customers. I’m also considering posting a sign that says "No Tipping" because I personally dislike the practice . . . IMHO, there’s no reason why a customer should give a barber a few extra $$$ even if he did a good job, because it’s not going to affect his next haircut–we barbers usually do the best job we can each and every time. Hmmm. I’d like y’all’s opinions on tipping, and whether or not you think I’m on the right track to ask customers not to tip .. . . The #1 location I’ll be considering is on a fairly busy road (3 lanes each direction) about 3 blocks from a busy intersection, a storefront facing the street, about 30,000 cars a day, and average income for the 5 mile radius is around $65000 per household. Visability will be pretty good, except for late afternoon when the sun’s glare blinds everyone heading west (remind me not to cross the street between 3 and 6). Funny thing about the neighborhoods, though . . . you can really tell where the rich folks live and the poor folks live, and I’d say the proportion of each is about 50-50 in a 5 mile radius. But that seems to be par for the course for the city I’m in . . . I’ve considered setting up shop in a richer part of the suburbs, but I lived in the ‘burbs for 20 years, and I really prefer living in the big city, with its warts and all. But then again, there’s a small town about 10 miles away where everybody is richer than God, and lots of ‘em want shaves, and there ain’t too many (I don’t think there are any, actually) shops doing shaving these days, and I wanna offer that service, so I might lure some of them to my shop (which is, BTW, close to the side of the nicest lake for miles and miles around) . . . . So . . . whatcha think of all this– the * "Not with those hands you don’t!" caption for a scene in a cosmetologist’s shop, and comparing it to my sanitary workshop . . . * Doing away with tips * Dressing up the shop with wood floor, leather furniture, etc (maybe carved wood paneling) * Setting up shop in an area with net average income, instead of in the richer suburban areas . . . * and any other thoughts would be appreciated . . . Thanks for your help, –Tock
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> So . . . whatcha think of all this– the > * "Not with those hands you don’t!" caption for a scene in a cosmetologist’s > shop, and comparing it to my sanitary workshop . . . > Emphasizing this cleanliness thing seems kind of weird, > and might backfire. It suggests that there is something > wrong with your industry in general.
Yah, I think there may be . . . Years ago, barbers used the same brush and shaving mug on all their customers, and a malady called "barber’s itch" was not uncommon. It was caused by a fungus that lived in the brush, and nowadays states require that brushes be sterilized between each customer, but in practice, brushes are seldom used . . . the cream is usually applied with fingers. I don’t know just how great the chances are to spread other diseases are through the use of unclean combs and brushes and razors are . . . I understand hepatitus can live for 6 days outside the body, and most people have various fungi and bacteria and other little critters living on their scalp (mostly harmless), but you’d think that the chances of spreading something unpleasant using the same comb or razor all day long, and doing the same day after day week after week, that sooner or later someone’s gonna get something. Yah, in barber school some students just couldn’t be persuaded to use paper neck strips (those paper things they wrap around your neck right before they put the chair cloth on you), as a consequence, about twice a month someone would come back complaining that they got ringworm (a fungus infection) on their neck. So maybe other diseases could be spread with a similar frequency . . . I dunno . . . but not in my shop. Not that I’m a neat freak, but IMHO there is no excuse for not following the simple, state-mandated sanitary requirements that eliminates the spread of contagion. I suggest just making > it the cleanest shop anyone has ever seen and letting customers > form their own opinions.
Yah, I think you’re right . . . but I think I’ll do some things like turn the chair so the client can watch me wash my hands, let the client watch me install a new razor blade, and have a container marked "used combs" and a drawer marked "clean combs" or something like that . . . Ya, I might include a small bit of customer education, letting ‘em know why I do what I do, but I gotta figure out a quick, simple, unobtrusive way to do it that doesn’t freak ‘em out. Ya, I can’t be like a restaurant owner that makes his diners painfully aware that his kitchen is free of cockroaches. Hmmm. Hmmm . . . > * Doing away with tips > I absolutely hate tipping. It is a stupid practice, and > unnecessary if employees are paid well and perform well. > If they don’t, they shouldn’t be there anyway. > Some customers will feel like they need to tip anyway, so > signs that say something like "Tips included in price." > or a tip jar for your community’s school band or charity > would might make them feel really good, and feeling good > when they leave seems as important as looking good when they > leave.
I think I’ll contact the local SPCA and some other charity and get some donation envelopes to hand out to clients who cannot contain their generosity. Then let ‘em sort it out later . . . > * Dressing up the shop with wood floor, leather furniture, etc (maybe carved > wood paneling) > Can’t hurt, although I wouldn’t spend so much that you need to > make your prices much higher.
I’m thinking the extra cost would pay for itself by making the shop one that they would like to return to. Amortized over 10 years, it won’t be that much more expensive. > * Setting up shop in an area with net average income, instead of in the > richer suburban areas . . . > Well, there are a lot more middle class people than rich people.
Ya . . . well, it’s plenty crowded where I’m thinking to locate, plus the road is plenty busy, so it should work out ok . . . > It seems like some barber shops are places where people in the > community hang out, and I think this used to be the case at many > of them many years ago. If you can bring back that atmosphere > you might really have something.
Good idea . . . I did another floor layout plan last night, and I managed to squeeze in 4 game tables (for chess, dominos, backgammon, cards, whatever) in 120 sq ft. I’m thinking that I could encourage folks to drop in and use ‘em all afternoon or night for free (of course, I’ll have a couple of vending machines), and at a monthly cost of $2 sq ft, that 120 sq ft would cost $240. But if those 4 tables brought in 16 customers for haircuts, I wouldn’t otherwise have had, then I break even. More is gravy. Plus, I figure chairs at a game table could be conscripted in a pinch in the happy event all the other waiting chairs are filled . . . Plus, one table could be replaced with another work station should the workload require it . . . Those are ifs . . . what I’m really doing is guessing that I can fill a few game tables and then get their occupant’s business. Still haven’t decided if that’s realistic or not . . . what do y’all think? Thanks again, –Tock
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> So . . . whatcha think of all this– the > * "Not with those hands you don’t!" caption for a scene in a cosmetologist’s > shop, and comparing it to my sanitary workshop . . . > * Doing away with tips > * Dressing up the shop with wood floor, leather furniture, etc (maybe carved > wood paneling) > * Setting up shop in an area with net average income, instead of in the > richer suburban areas . . . > * and any other thoughts would be appreciated . . . > Thanks for your help,
I’d say you have it all figured out, except I don’t understand the no tips part. Your customers can afford to tip and tipping is traditional. I think if you need to hire anyone you will not get anyone with experience if you don’t allow tipping. I would not want customers who are attracted by no tipping since they’re probably cheapskates who wouldn’t spend on anything extra. I would guess you hope to sell some higher end lotions, creams, etc. that the cheapskate would go to Wal-Mart to buy. — McWebber No email replies read If someone tells you to forward an email to all your friends please forget that I’m your friend.
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Hey Tock I think this is a good idea. I would however, keep the tipping or at least say it is in the price. Also, you will get more customers if you focus on the look and feel of the place more than marketing it as sanitary. People will respond more to places that look cool, hip, high end and yet comfortable. I don’t think marketing it as sanitary as compared to other places will go over well.. However, if you spend the time to keep it looking clean, people will automatically assume it is even if it is not. I think you are on target with the marketing strategy. Tarket customers with a lot of disposable income who are younger (not teens) and like to take care of themselves. I would definitely like to know more about your plan as I too am working on something similar. Hopefully you are not in Texas. Thanks > I’m giving some serious thought on opening up my own barbershop next summer. > I’ve got the $$$ to get it started, no problem there, got enough for a nice > wood floor, tin ceiling, nice workstations, shiny new oversized and xtra > comfy barber chairs. Maybe a couplea leather sofas for the waiting area. > All of the other existing shops (2 barber shops in a 4 mile radius, about 15 > mixed beauty-men’s shops) in the area are ancient, dusty, and dirty, in dire > need of some updating.
[ Excess quoted material elided by moderator. -JimL ]
Response:
Hey Tock I think this is a good idea. I would however, keep the tipping or at least say it is in the price. Also, you will get more customers if you focus on the look and feel of the place more than marketing it as sanitary. People will respond more to places that look cool, hip, high end and yet comfortable. I don’t think marketing it as sanitary as compared to other places will go over well.. However, if you spend the time to keep it looking clean, people will automatically assume it is even if it is not. I think you are on target with the marketing strategy. Tarket customers with a lot of disposable income who are younger (not teens) and like to take care of themselves. I would definitely like to know more about your plan as I too am working on something similar. Hopefully you are not in Texas. Thanks
Response:
For some inexplicable reasons, Gary Peek
: :> * Dressing up the shop with wood floor, leather furniture, etc (maybe carved :> wood paneling) : :Can’t hurt, although I wouldn’t spend so much that you need to :make your prices much higher. Do watch the decor items. I spoke with a manager of a franchise hair salon who had once starter her own shop. She spend a lot of money on each station, only to find that her location didn’t provide enough business at first to cover her costs. She freely admitted that she should have outfitted one or two stations to start and upgraded the rest as she had the ready cash. If her start-up costs had been lower, she could have lasted longer–perhaps long enough to attract sufficient customers. — Wendy Chatley Green