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Monday, October 24, 2011

How to setup a profitable barbing salon/Barber Shop

Barbing salons are everywhere you have men, meaning they are practically suited for every environment. But having another barbing salon and one that makes a lot of money are not the same thing. Barbing salons in the cities or rural areas in Nigeria are numerous but not necessarily indicative of the fact that the business is booming because many are merely doing it to scrape out a living. But for those intending on creating a sustainable business that will not only create wealth but employment as well then knowing how to set up a profitable business is the way to go.

Background

In many towns and cities especially the big cities like Lagos, Abuja, Benin and Port Harcourt people set up shop to do business, barbing hair for mostly the male folk. In Lagos for instance, there are probably more barbing salons than there are churches (you know how we Nigerians love church even more than the early Christians) which means the business is fairly easy to set up and remain in the business otherwise entry into the business should be hard and remaining profitable would also not be an issue. In campuses of Universities, polytechnics around densely populated areas and sometimes in high brow areas and commercial areas, barbing salons seem to thrive. Suitable locations therefore are; popular streets, densely populated areas with a lot of male folks and higher institutions of learning.

Opportunity

Considering that it may not cost more than a few thousands to set up a baring salon, the business offers many opportunities to make a lot of money. For instance, selling clippers, shaving powder, shaving stick, aftershave, barbing equipments and accessories as well as the normal barbing services means that this business isn’t limited in terms of how much money can be made. But more importantly is the opportunity to make a lot of money from being exceptionally professional and organized, word spreads fast and with barbing excellent referrals from customers can do a lot of good in terms of winning patronage and increasing sales.

Challenges

The problem of electricity supply and having fuel for generating sets to power the barbing salon is the obvious challenge. In most parts of Nigeria, electricity supply is usually less than 10 hours a day making cost of doing business to be unnecessarily high. When the business becomes more stable and profitable one would expect the business to expand, unfortunately capital to fund growth is not readily available but with micro finance banks this is gradually changing for the better.

Business Strategy
The key thing is to stay focused on what works and what doesn’t. Imagine a situation where the strategy should be to do something useful that no other person is doing at least in your own locality that will at least offer the intending investor an edge over the competition. For instance, if other barbing salons don’t offer the customer much in terms of quality service, more fashionable environment and professional looking staff or workers.

Startup summary

2 Rotating Chairs (although ordinary chairs may do for a start): N10,000
1 Long waiting chair: N10,000
Tables: N6,000
Mirrors: N12,000
3 original Clippers: N9,000
4 Cover Clothes: N2,000
Barbing ‘Cosmetics’ (Spirit, powder, aftershave etc): N3,000
Generator: N20,000
Sterilizer: N15,000
Others: N30,000
Total: N117,000

21 comments:

  1. Really interesting. Gonna put it to test!

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    Replies
    1. Mr. PAUL,
      Hi, how are you doing, so an upper class barbibg saloon in lagos will be how much
      Paul

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  2. ^^^^
    I'm fine thank you sir! That depends on the scale of operation you want to put up and location of the salon. But if you say upscale, not adding rental cost you should be looking at between N1 Million to N2 Million or even more. It depends. How many barbing seats would you need, the large barbing Mirror is also very expensive from N100k and above you may need two of them. The quality seats go for N50k each or there about, we haven't talked about furniture and other things too.

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  3. Hello, thanks for the article. I have been thinking about this business for a while but I dont know how to cut hair. How feasible is employing someone to do the job? And what is the average daily income in a moderately populated area. Hoping to hear from you soon. Thanks.

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    Replies
    1. It's feasible to employ someone who can barb well and is trust worthy.

      About daily average income, don't forget there is competition to deal with also remember that you have to over something additional that the competition isn't offering for you to come out on top. It's not easy to say how much your daily income could be but keep your fingers crossed on how many people you hope to barb minimum per day let's say 20 X N200 per hair cut = N4000 (it's just an estimate)

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  4. Thank u for this interesting blog. I actually intend to use a metal shipping container very close to a hostel on campus for the business. Do u think its a good idea? Please also do u have an idea about the price of a container? Thank u.

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    Replies
    1. It can only be a good idea if it doesn't violate town planning laws. Some people who tried this in the past had their containers demolished, I'll instead recommend you rent a shop within campus!

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  5. Sir, thanks for this information. Sir I want to set-up a barbing salon and put somebody there who will be remitting money to me weekly. What is your advice sir?

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    Replies
    1. Just like I said earlier, if the person can do the job well, is responsible and trust worthy why not? But you still have to monitor the person very well to make sure things are working just fine.

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  6. Thanks for this beautiful article. Please keep up the good work.

    I am a graduate but I have always wanted to learn a skill. Now, after reading your interesting article I really want to learn barbing. Please do you know of any barbing school where one can learn barbing? Thanks in advance for your response.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks for your encouraging words! I don't know of any barbing schools around! Thanks once again for your comment!

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  7. Am setting one up at moment and i will be your professional advice on it. Thanks from Idowu

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  8. Currently doing some market survey. Intend to set up one. Pls I need advice on this. Thanks

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    Replies
    1. i am setting a barbing salon now, but what of the interio decorations you didn't mention above.

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    2. I mentioned a few things about interior decorations!

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  9. Thank you for this information. I will try as much as possible to apply them. Good work. Keep it up

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  10. Hi Paul,

    Good article there. Aside of physical presence, is there anyway one can monitor the barbers....I thought of CCTV but believe me it won't work out, so i need your advice on how i can monitor them.

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  11. thank you for your knowledge n insight advice. I have a plan to set up a modern but modest barbing salon in Meiran, Lagos, i've been trying for like 3 days without success to get the price of rotating chair, do know where i can buy them?

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  12. I know am late but no time is late. am planning on starting up a unisex saloon that is up to standard,, please I want to know estimated amount that can be used in starting up

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  13. Nice article Mr Paul. I read through your article and i pick-up interest but i dont no how to barb, can i learn within 3month?

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  14. Please can N600,000 get me a shop for 4 barbers and fixed assets for the business within Idimu, Ejigbo or Ikotun area? Want to hire barbers that will delivering weekly. Chris

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