Opening a Salon Checklist: What You Need To Start a Salon

What we know as day spas, nail salons, hair salons, and other self-care establishments are booming businesses.

The beauty services industry is projected to grow to $378.47 billion by 2032 (from $221.03 billion in 2024).

So, if you’re interested in opening a salon, there’s an opportunity for you to grab some of this market share, as long as you provide a unique selling proposition. But, starting a business takes a lot of preparation, which is where opening a salon checklist can come in.

This guide will walk you through every step of creating your salon to keep you on track and make sure you tick all the boxes before a successful opening day.

Opening a salon checklist

• Establish your business plan
• Make your business legal
• Get necessary certifications
• Find your space
• Get your operations in order
• Purchase your equipment
• Pass inspection
• Launch your marketing plan for opening day

Once you familiarize yourself with the following necessities, tailor them to the specific services your new salon will offer, where you’re located, and how you’d like to run your business:

Establish your business plan

A business plan is a blueprint for running your salon. It includes about 15 key components, ranging from how you’ll fund your business to how you’ll manage marketing. The following steps will help you develop a lean business plan. If you need more help, try these business plan templates.

Actions to take:

• Create an executive summary. Your company name, business model, and services. Describe your unique selling point (USP), or what sets your business apart from competitors.

• Write a company description. Define what your business does and its structure. Are you the sole hair stylist, nail tech, barber, or lash technician? Are you planning on hiring staff members? Are you interested in renting a salon suite or chair to independent workers?

• Market analysis. Look at what competitors are doing and where you fit into the market.




• Products and services. List all services you’ll offer and products you’ll sell.

• Customer segmentation and marketing plan. Define your intended customers and how you’ll reach them. Use your marketing plan to define how you plan to get the word out—how you’ll highlight your brand positioning, and the channels and types of campaigns you’ll run. If you need help getting started, try a marketing plan template.

• Logistics and operations plan. Determine essential components you’ll need to run your salon: utilities, software, suppliers, insurance, and hardware. Create an outline of how daily operations should look.

• Have a trusted person review your plan. Run your business plan by a mentor or an established industry peer. They might have feedback on any missing pieces or offer advice from their own experiences.

Make your business legal

Before you can provide services to clients, do a deep dive into your state’s laws. Look for your state’s cosmetology board guidelines and speak to an attorney for specific legal advice as needed. The actions below are a good starting point, but they vary based on location.

Actions to take:

• Choose a business name. Then, consider a trademark search and filing to protect it.

• Select a business structure. You can choose to run your business as an LLC, sole proprietorship, limited partnership, or corporation.

• Register your business. You can do this through your state government’s website or find a filing company online to help you. The US Small Business Administration has numerous resources on registration.

Get necessary certifications

What business licenses and certifications you need will vary by location and salon type, so check requirements with your local and state boards.

Licenses you may need:

• Occupational licenses. These permits demonstrate adequate education, training, or experience to perform services. For example, in New York, hair salon owners need an Appearance Enhancement Business license, a cosmetology license, and liability coverage.

• Training requirements. Additional specific training licenses and certificates. For example, in California, nail salons require training from a state-approved school or program and a license from the California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology.

• Establishment licenses. Most states will require an establishment license that states your business is allowed to operate in that specific location.

• Individual licenses. If you employ staff members or rent chairs to contractors, you’ll need to make sure they have the correct licenses to practice.

• Retail licenses. If you’re planning to sell products, check if your state requires a retail license.

Find your space

Consider the requirements for your space. For example, you may need sinks for hair washing, styling stations, plenty of plugs for wax warmers or UV nail lamps, or a place to sell retail products.

Actions to take:

• Write a list of wants and needs for a potential salon space. Seek out a location with plenty of storage space for supplies, products, and extra salon equipment. Ensure you have enough room for your entire team to work comfortably and serve clients. Aside from the workspace, is there a spot for a front desk? A bathroom? How about a waiting area? Clarify these needs so you can stay on track when viewing locations.

• Consider the location. A space may be available to rent, but is it in a well-trafficked area zoned for commercial use? Are the clients you’re looking for likely to be within a comfortable radius of your doors? Is it an easy space to find and access, and is there enough parking nearby?

• Clarify all costs before you sign a commercial lease contract. Ask about rent, utilities, permits, and any other fees you might not be aware of.

• Review local laws. Even if you opt for an in-house salon or one within a building on your property, you will still need the proper permits, insurance, and home-based operating licenses. Look up what your state requires.

• Think about zoning and permits. The state you work in will tell you where you’re commercially allowed to run a salon and if the location you’re considering renting or purchasing is within that zone. If necessary, you’ll need special permits to do any building work or renovations.

• Consider accessibility needs. Can you cater to a wide range of clients with different abilities? Look on ADA.gov for more information on making sure your salon is compliant.

Get your operations in order

These include utilities, a point of sale (POS) system, and the right business insurance. These elements are the gears moving behind the scenes that allow you to work with clients, manage employees, and stay on top of purchases and expenses.

Actions to take:

• Set up utilities. These include electricity, internet, gas, water, and hardware for completing important tasks.

• Research POS systems. Systems like Shopify’s POS enable transactions for salons with a physical and online presence and even for those who work in mobile locations, as it tracks all services and purchases no matter where they take place.

• Set up salon software. This can include booking platforms and other programs necessary for administrative tasks.

• Get insurance. There are many types of business insurance. As a salon owner, you’ll likely need professional liability insurance and commercial property insurance. The first protects you from claims when you’re providing services to customers and the second covers your property and salon equipment.

Purchase your equipment

Having everything on hand from your opening day will lead to smooth operations from the start. You don’t want to be in the middle of an appointment and realize you’re missing a specific tool or product!

Items to purchase:

• Furniture. Styling chairs, hair drying chairs, chairs for manicures, salon station mirrors, cutting stools, work tables suited to each technician type, front desk and chair, cabinets and shelving, racks, hooks (for towels, coats, etc.), task lighting, facial or massage beds, wax warmers, utility carts for technicians, sinks, shampoo station units with chairs and bowls, booster seats for kids, and holders for hair and nail tools.

• Hair and beauty tools and supplies. Blow dryers, curling irons, flat irons, UV nail lamps, towels, nail care tools, razors, scissors, brushes, combs, hair color brushes, nail polish color swatches, hand mirrors, color mixing bowls, hot towel warmers, spray tan equipment, and aprons.

• Hair and beauty products. Shampoo, conditioner, styling products, nail polish, wax, facial products, hand and foot moisturizers, and cuticle oil.

• Electronic equipment. POS equipment, computers, tablets, company phones (if needed), chargers, and any electronic signage.

• Cleaning supplies. Brooms, mops, vacuums, disinfectants, sanitizers, soap, glass and mirror cleaners, laundry detergent, garbage bins, wipes, trash bags, and sponges.

• First aid and safety equipment. First aid kits, fire extinguishers, and any personal protective equipment like masks or gloves.

• Other items. Tissues, toilet paper, pens, notepads, décor, supplies needed for photos/capturing work, and any drinks or snacks for clients.

Pass inspection

Inspections are essential for sustaining a high standard of cleanliness and safety. In turn, you’ll have clients who feel safe, comfortable, and pampered. Remember: a clean and safe space is part of running a thriving salon and maintaining trust with customers.

Actions to take:

• Research what local inspectors typically look for. They often check bathroom and hand-washing facilities and ensure proper labeling of new, contaminated, and used tools.

• Read up on the most common violations so you can avoid them. These often include not properly displaying your license, failing to refresh disinfectants, and not keeping the salon clean.

Launch your marketing plan for opening day

A marketing plan outlines methods to drive business to your salon. It includes SEO strategy, website design, social media marketing, branding, and referral programs. Use this to advertise your big opening day.

Actions to take:

• Finesse your branding. Think about your logo, colors, and symbols. Are you running a luxury salon? Are you providing services for kids? Does your salon offer multiple services at an affordable price?

• Get a domain name and design your website. Choose a domain name that reflects your business name. A website may be one of the first ways clients find you, so it should reflect your business’ principles, services, and overall aesthetic. A website builder and hosting service like Shopify lets you create a site to book appointments, share your work, and sell beauty and hair products.

• Set up social media. Social platforms are a great way to showcase your work. Consider working with influencers and giving them a free service so you can post their content. As your business grows, social platforms serve as virtual portfolios, too.

• Amplify location-based marketing. Target potential clients in your surrounding area—a must for new salons. You want to alert people that you’re now in their area in time for opening day.

• Brainstorm other forms of marketing. This includes paid advertisements on search platforms, fliers, posters, and radio ads.