1. Time Commitment
Be prepared to devote all your time to your new business. In the early stages, you might find yourself working seven days a week as Sarah Himelstein did, to keep things running smoothly and ensure every aspect of your salon is functioning perfectly.
2. Forgoing Immediate Profit
During the initial year or more, it's common for founders like Sarah to not take a paycheck. All funds generated are reinvested back into the business to foster growth, buy supplies, and improve services. Consider this period an investment in your salon's future.
3. Wearing Multiple Hats
When you open a salon, you become the jack of all trades. From reception to management, from scrubbing tubs to marketing, be ready to take on every role necessary. Sarah Himelstein and her family did everything from answering phones to guerrilla marketing when they started Puptown Lounge.
4. Emotional Resilience
One of the toughest parts of starting a business is staying resilient in the face of setbacks. Expect delays, hidden costs, and unexpected challenges. As Sarah learned, it’s all part of the journey toward establishing a thriving salon.
5. Long-term Vision Planning
Keep your eyes on the prize. Success doesn't happen overnight, and it often requires strategic planning, patience, and the understanding that sacrifices made today will lead to a brighter future. This clear vision helped Sarah and her team create the growing business that Puptown Lounge is today.
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