Solo Practitioners - Are you in an office building, retail location or a salon?
I've been an Esty for nearly 10 years but took some years off to have kids. I've been working as a booth renter at a salon for the past 6 months and have been doing okay but I'm realizing that the salon clientele aren't my target market and the location of the salon is too out of the way.
I'm looking at going out on my own and was curious where other solo esty's are located. Are you in a salon, a retail space (like a strip mall) or a multi business office location? I'm not a huge fan of moving to another salon location because I don't find the two business models to be that compatible in this area.
Thanks!
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Zenaida Fiducioso on
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Hi Joni,
I moved into a collective that specializes in independent businesses - 'multi business office' location, but this one is specifically geared towards beauty businesses. I first was in a salon setting but like you I found out my niche and the salon's clientele weren't meshing. I found out about Sola Salons and have been there for over two years now. Collectives such as Sola are only the lessors but the connections and network that you can create through this kind of business can be to your advantage, as you'll have other independent businesses whom you can refer your customers to. Another advantage is that you have full control of your studio in terms of creativity. The disadvantages are that you are now considered your own establishment, and you need to make sure you're in compliance with the agencies (state board, franchise/retail tax, business tax, etcetera). You are solely responsible for your marketing and driving customers to your business. If there is another esthetician working in the same complex, then you'll have to compete especially if you don't have a full standing clientele or are not fully established yet. Another downside is NOISE. I primarily run a waxing business so I make sure to schedule facials on a day that most other businesses are closed. It ensures for a more relaxing experience for the client!
Being solo and in a studio complex allows for me to have room for growth - to which I have done tremendously in only two years, and freedom to run the business how I need to without having to be mindful someone else's vision. If you're creative and if you have a specific vision about your brand and who you are in business, this is a good setting to be in.
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Permalink Reply by Amy Sherman on
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GENIUS!!! Zenaida!
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I live in a little dinky town and booth rented in a small massage therapy place. It was not ideal for me as massage therapy people and facial/waxing people are def. not so much the same. HOWEVER, we are in a great location and I am slowly but surely building it back up to full book.
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Permalink Reply by Cindy Greenwood on
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I find it MUCH easier to get my massage clientele into my facial room than it is to get hair salon clients into the massage OR facial room!
(And a massage clinic is much quieter)
Location is important - but more important is that clients can find you. If you can get your solo biz up in search engine results you will see an increase in new clientele.
So - I would not focus on moving. I would focus on my website SEO, facebook activity, and making sure you have listings on review and search sites.
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