Salon owners often ask my opinion as to whether or not they should open a second salon.
The thing to be careful of is assuming that because you may have one successful salon that you have the ‘magic touch’ and that the obvious next step is to open a second salon.
I’m certainly not saying don’t open another salon, I’m just saying that two salons are a very different proposition than only having one. Think about it, the only time you double the size of your business is when you go from one salon to two!
When, and if, you go from 2-3 or 3-4 etc the business isn’t doubling in size, so if opening a second salon is something you are considering make no doubt it is a big step and for many people, it doesn’t work out the way they planned.
Typically the success of a single salon operation is usually due to the owner being there, and working long hours and usually behind the chair seeing clients. Usually, the culture of the salon is established and reinforced merely by the owner's presence and every operational decision goes through them.
Often the owner underestimates how integral their presence and leadership has been in making everything run smoothly. But when you go to that second salon, the owner can only be in one place at a time, and so the challenge is not ending up with two half salons.
For the owner, the key to running multiple salons and knowing how to split their time is ‘effective managers, salon systems and delegating’.
First, let’s talk about the need for effective managers. You can only be in one place at a time so without effective and reliable managers you will have challenges. People need managing, we are in the people business and without effective leadership, in each location, it’s reliant on the owner, and if that’s you, then your job is to make sure that you have replicated the role of manager or team leader in each location.
Secondly, let’s talk about salon systems. When you have one successful salon it’s usually because you are the system! So if you are to open additional salons the success is dependent on getting everything out of your head and onto paper because if it’s not written down then it isn’t a system.
Thirdly, Once you have these effective managers and salon systems in place you need to be prepared to let go of trying to do everything yourself and delegate and trust others to fulfil their role.
Will they do everything exactly as you would? No!
Will they make mistakes? Of course, they will!
Is your way always the best way? No!
Do they need to learn some things the hard way? Definitely!
Will everything run smoothly without you? No!
Will you learn a lot in the process? You bet!
So, is it worth doing?
Well for some people yes, but for others no.
Only you can decide if you have what it takes and are prepared to put the work in to make it happen.
If you want to find out more about being an effective manager and building a team I recommend my books Grow 2 management and Grow 3 Team.
Thanks for watching. I hope this has been helpful and if opening a second salon is what you decide to do, good luck and if I can be of help in a coaching capacity don’t hesitate to get in touch.
And if don’t already do so I suggest that you follow me on Instagram and Facebook @growmysalonbusiness
Have a great week!
