How to Start a Barbershop

Starting a barbershop costs roughly between $120,000 and $150,000. The cost depends on your business model, rent, government registration fees, and licenses and permits. Don't forget to factor in the cost of barbershop supplies.

Estimates run from as low as $30,000 up to as high as $180,000 per year. It all depends on the location, expenses, whether you charge booth rent or pay commission and salaries, and whether or not you are going to be cutting hair as well as managing the shop.

This depends on your state's license requirements. Generally, you don't have to be a licensed barber to own a barbershop.

1. Refine your idea.
2. Create a business plan.
3. Legally form your barbershop company.
4. Find funding.
5. Find a location.
6. Set up your barbershop.
7. Build your team.
8. Market your barbershop.

The average booth rental costs between $250.00 and $1,200.00 per month based on the shop and location.

Barbers typically earn between $10.00 and $25.00 an hour but can be more, depending on experience.

It depends on the business structure of your business. Most barbershop owners choose an LLC business structure. This choice protects business owners from personal liability and it's more flexible when it comes to taxes.

Barber chairs should be spaced 4.5 to 5 feet apart to provide ample room for each barber.

A barbershop can be a profitable venture. While the annual wage estimate for barbers is around $20,000.00 per year on the lower end of the spectrum, around 10% have an annual income in excess of $50,000.00, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. While the barber industry experienced a notable decline in the late 90s and early 2000s, it has made a strong comeback.

Barber salaries typically range from under $20,000.00 to more than $50,000.00 per year, depending on expertise, experience, state, and employer.

It costs between $250.00 and $1,200.00 per month, according to our research. However, the cost will depend on the employer, and the barber's skills and experience.

• Hybrids.
• Mobile barbershops.
• Throwback barbershops.
• Brand cafes.
• Mancave salons.
• Pop-ups.
• Airport barbershop booths.
• Crowdsourced barbershop apps.

• Business operating license.
• Certificate of Occupancy.
• Building permit.
• Fire department permit.
• State cosmetology or barbering license.

• Take out a commercial loan.
• Take out a small business loan.
• Attract investors.
• Consider invoice financing.
• Consider equipment financing.
• Take out hard money loans.
• Get a cash advance against credit card income.

• The location should be easy for others to find.
• There should be enough parking nearby.
• Your target demographic should live or work in the area.
• The space needs to fit your plans.
• The space should be in good condition.
• There should be constant foot traffic.
• The area should be clean and safe.
• The plumbing, electricity, and heating should be reliable.

There should be no fewer than three parking spaces nearby for every 1,000 square feet of space you have in your barbershop, according to our research. Keep in mind that there will most likely be local guidelines to follow.

• Advertise on your website and industry websites.
• Use social media.
• Advertise in hairdressing magazines and journals.
• Network.
• Ask existing staff members to spread the word.
• Put up a sign in the window.
• Post to job sites using Betterteam.

• Offer $5 cuts.
• Invite local celebrities for free cuts.
• Partner with a local charity.
• Have live music.
• Have a bold theme.

A state-recognized barber program costs between $2,000.00 and $11,000.00, depending on the school.

No, you don't need a degree, only a license from an accredited school.

On average, barbershop owners pay $425.00 a year for general liability insurance and $455.00 a year for professional liability insurance.

The difference is in what is taught. Both professions cut, style, and wash hair, but barbers generally focus on cutting men's hair and they are licensed to shave with a straight razor.

Beard trimming costs $15.00 on average.

Yes, barbers will trim eyebrows with a clipper, but won't tint or do any delicate shaping.

On average, an apprentice barber can earn between $9.93 and $13.90 per hour.

• Who is your ideal customer?
• What products and services will you provide?
• Is your pricing right for your target customer?
• What sort of customer experience are you going to offer?
• Is your location right for your goals?

According to health and safety standards, all barbershop equipment, implements, tools, and materials need to scrubbed with soap and then disinfected with EPA-registered bactericidal, fungicidal, and virucidal disinfectants, or isopropyl alcohol and ethyl alcohol.

Barbershops can attract barbers by advertising on their website, industry magazines, local newspapers, and across social media platforms. Networking at industry and community events and asking existing staff to spread the word are also effective ways to get new barbers. You could also post the position to job sites like Betterteam.

There are three areas that make up your running costs, or expenses. They are material costs, overall costs, and employee costs.

Material costs relate to the supplies you need for delivering your services, as well as to the products and items you sell.

Overall costs include rent, utilities, advertising, etc.

Employee costs constitute salaries, commissions, taxes, etc.

No. You can open a barbershop if you are not a licensed barber yourself, but you will need a team of licensed barbers, as well as a business license and a location.

There aren't barbershop-specific failure rates available, but according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data, roughly 20 percent of small businesses fail within their first year, and about 50 percent fail within 5 years.

Some states may require your business to put up full dividers because of social distancing rules. Check with your county to see what their protocols are.

The major benefit of owning a barbershop is that you can make more money. As a barbershop owner, you can rent booths to barbers, or have a 70/30 split with the barbers, while at the same time cutting hair yourself. That's not to mention the greater sense of self-accomplishment that comes with starting and running a successful business.

Starting and running a barbershop is a challenge. Most of the responsibility falls on your shoulders, from managing employee schedules and inventory to implementing marketing strategies and complying with tax regulations.

• "Barbershop Now!: How to Open A Barbershop" (Volume 1) by Eric Ryant and Jeff Grissler
• "Ready, Set, Go!: The Start-Up Guide for Opening, Remodeling & Running a Successful Barbershop" by Eric Ryant and Jeff Grissler
• "The Wealthy Barber" by David Chilton
• "The Art of The Start" by Guy Kawasaki

• Write an executive summary.
• Describe your ideal or current location.
• Describe your launch.
• List your sources of revenue.
• List your essential staff.
• Describe your marketing strategy.
• Name and describe your competition.
• Describe your finances.
• Describe your future plans.

• Rent.
• Insurance.
• Salaries.
• Equipment leases.
• Utilities.
• Beauty and hair products.
• Marketing.

• A good idea to ensure that you can attract customers and compete with the market.
• A solid business plan.
• A business name, registration, and tax registration.
• A business account.
• Salon management software.
• Start-up funding.
• A prime location.
• Equipment and products.
• A qualified team.
• A good marketing plan.

• Get your barber license.
• Ensure you have a large space with running water, where you can keep your equipment permanently and where it won't be difficult to clean up cut hair.
• Plan how you want your barbershop to look and prepare your space.
• Source proper equipment, including a barber chair, mirror, and counter.
• Invest in professional cutting equipment and products, including clippers, scissors, straight razors, combs, capes, disinfectant jars, spray bottles, shaving bowls and brushes, dusting brushes, creams, razor blades, and styling products.
• Set up and arrange your space to create the atmosphere you're going for.
• Build your client base, starting with family and friends, until you can finance a move into a proper shop space.

• Barber license.
• Business plan.
• Business licenses and permits.
• Tax and business registration.
• Funding.
• Location, equipment, and products.

A good barbershop design is one that puts your customers at ease and makes them feel welcome. You can create a classic, traditional barbershop set-up by adding a barber's pole and using a rustic color palette of browns and creams. Or, you can go for a modern, trendy design with clean lines and a monochromatic color palette.

You should have a well-lit sign to draw attention and a comfortable waiting area that encourages people to sit and relax. Your flooring should be easy to clean of hair but should make a statement. You can use hardwood or the more traditional black and white tiles. To create the ambiance you want, don't underestimate the value of great lighting! Lastly, decorate your barbershop with witty signs, old posters, and attractive product displays.

According to the North American Industry Classification System, barbershops are classified as Personal Care Services. Most barbershops are sole proprietorships or LLCs.

You can buy into a luxury barbershop franchise if you can pay the franchise fee and prove that you have the assets to equip and open your barbershop.

A barber license costs between $75.00 and $150.00, depending on the state.

• Talk to your customers and ensure you are providing a good service.
• Ensure your staff is happy and have the best products and equipment to work with.
• Lead with confidence, listen and communicate well, and help to resolve conflicts.
• Cut any wasted expenses, services that aren't worth the resources, and staff members who aren't working out.
• Delegate tasks and ensure staff is well-trained.

On average, a barbershop owner earns $53,772.00 a year.

You can use our step-by-step guide, which includes a free downloadable business plan template and checklist, when starting your barbershop.

You will need equipment and products such as clippers, scissors, straight razors, combs, capes, disinfectant jars, spray bottles, shaving bowls and brushes, dusting brushes, creams, razor blades, and styling products.

You can find some great companies that specialize in barbershop software, such as BookSteam, Acuity Scheduling, Timely, and MasterPeace live.