Seeking advice on starting a new business

ElsiDawson

Slutty slut
Nov 5, 2016
485
16
18
Vancouver, BC
Hello humans,

I'm thinking of getting out of the paid-and-laid game and starting myself a nice little nail salon. But it's not gonna be like all the other ones, it's gonna be themed like a tattoo parlor! And we're gonna listen to Metallica all day and there's gonna be the black latex gloves and there's the stock art folders at the front with all the nail colours and pictures of flowers and stuff. And we're gonna wear tank tops and Doc Martens.

Please help me get this baby off the ground with your suggestions and good advice and stuff.

Thanking you in advance.

Elsi
 

jgg

In the air again.
Apr 14, 2015
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jgg

In the air again.
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nightswhisper

Member
Feb 20, 2016
789
8
18
1. You need a good amount of capital to start business. You'll need the savings capital for loans, and then use the capital to duke out the period of time during which your business is not profitting. It takes most small businesses between 16 months to 3 years to begin breaking even.

2. If you're going into something, make sure you find a job related to that. Know the ins and outs of the business. Know where money can be saved, how corners are cut, how clients are established, how advertising is done. If you have no relevant experience, hire someone who does. Your general manager should know more than you do, and that's OK. Otherwise, work in the industry for long enough that you know how it's done. Typically, this is 6 months.

3. This last one is the biggest fail I see with Canadian enterprise - You need to care about your customers. Don't just open a storefront, wait for people to come in, and then take their money. Serve them a cup of tea, ask them to share a photo of their baby or car. Give them a $5 discount on a fucking sunday because you like their shirt. Before you know it, you'll have line-ups of people who show up because you give a shit.
 

jgg

In the air again.
Apr 14, 2015
2,454
381
83
Varies now

Sub-Slut

Member
Dec 26, 2017
107
20
18
Vancouver Island
Hello humans,

I'm thinking of getting out of the paid-and-laid game and starting myself a nice little nail salon. But it's not gonna be like all the other ones, it's gonna be themed like a tattoo parlor! And we're gonna listen to Metallica all day and there's gonna be the black latex gloves and there's the stock art folders at the front with all the nail colours and pictures of flowers and stuff. And we're gonna wear tank tops and Doc Martens.

Please help me get this baby off the ground with your suggestions and good advice and stuff.

Thanking you in advance.

Elsi
YUSSSSS!



Metallica!
 

ElsiDawson

Slutty slut
Nov 5, 2016
485
16
18
Vancouver, BC
Attitude is good. How much nail polish can you buy for $137?
I only need to buy the first colour, and then I'll get paid and I can buy the second one. Clearly, you've never taught piano lessons before. (Please, someone catch this reference.)

Elsi, I thought you promised that you'd stop dropping babies. That's the third one this week, ffs!
Snitch. The second one wasn't even mine, it doesn't count.

YUSSSSS!



Metallica!
Was it the Metallica, sub? Or was it the latex. You think I was born yesterday? Give your head a shake.
 

FoxForceFive

Active member
May 24, 2011
111
42
28
Aw, I feel sad for anyone 1. taking this seriously and 2. mansplaining to Elsi how to run a successful business.
Clem, how could you, of all people, be so cynical? Elsi is going to run the best nail salon ever!

She has inspired me to start my own business as well. I'm too lazy to think of my own idea though, so I'm just going to copy this guy:

 

VinVan

Well-known member
Feb 22, 2016
601
895
93
Earth
There are a few businesses up on east Hastings around Nanaimo run by Metal heads. There is a pet food store called Long Live Cats and Dogs, a restaurant with blaring metal (I think those two are owned by same folks). Nice people. There is also a hot dog resto that has a ton of loud metal. You might want to mosey up that way and chat them up a little. I’m sure they’d be keen to offer you some insight. As for starting a biz, especially retail, it’s a slog with a lot of long hours and $ flying out the door. I have a little bit of insight. PM me if you wish to chat.
 

ElsiDawson

Slutty slut
Nov 5, 2016
485
16
18
Vancouver, BC
Clem, how could you, of all people, be so cynical? Elsi is going to run the best nail salon ever!

Thank you, FFF. I don't know why Clem's got such a bee in her bonnet. She left me here and now she's surprised that I'm not interested anymore? What did she think would happen?!


As for starting a biz, especially retail, it’s a slog with a lot of long hours and $ flying out the door.

Oh shit, so it's essentially sex work with fewer dick pics? Dude.
 

80watts

Well-known member
May 20, 2004
2,420
627
113
Victoria
You need a business plan. Sometime there are business grants for small businesses.
A place for the business (finding an affordable place for rent that is very reasonable). What I think kills a business is the rent overhead that is way too much for a business starting out. But then again its like real estate: location; and parking.....(make sure you have 1-2 parking places for you and other workers/drop-off deliveries)
An accountant. for taxes etc.

Be aware that retail sales are dead, with business like amazon and ebay etc. But that dosen't mean you cant have a wall (for another business who makes metal nostalgia stuff- which you sale at say 15% ticket price)

So mostly it is personable service/manual labour where most businesses are going to succeed. Alot of your spare time will be used up in a new business. So plan ahead.

Work smarter, not longer hours...

Also your organization skills will come to bear. eg. if it is just you doing the nails, who takes appointments, you can't be switching back and forth between phones and nails, It just looks bad. Time organization for doing certain task, come greatly into affect. If doing 2 hands takes an average of 20 min, remember there is set up time, and clean up time, and then there is the pause for you to think/rejuvenate before your next customer.... so it might be 30-35 min to do 2 hands...

Will you have online booking? This might cost you a monthly fee.

Best products to use, what about skin conditions?

Buy supplies in bulk (discount rates)/room for storage etc.

Can you start you business at home, doing clients on a certain day of the week, build up customers that way. Showrooms may be practical, but pictures on the internet can work too, for product information.

How would you expand if successful. Hire more workers? Are you able to expand your business if successful (rental).

Displays and signs, advertising....business cards....

stock of the business in inflation terms: today a hand is $5.00, 6 years from now its $7.00, so beware of what others are charging for the same service....

Along with your business plan you should also have a goal(s) set for specific times; to see if you are in line with your business plan....

How are you charging customers, how do they pay (cash, debit, credit); breakdown of fees/charges. (Clearly indicate what is for what on paper- then there can be no dispute)

read a book on small businesses... taxes....
 

Sub-Slut

Member
Dec 26, 2017
107
20
18
Vancouver Island
You fools!

Obviously she needs to maximize her RRSP by elongating her 401ok. Then she needs liquidate money before it turns gaseous. Now faxing is very important, remember that and invest in Bitcoins. Don't worry about online booking, internet is a fad, R.I.P in peace.

Taxes are a myth.

Business business business.
 

ElsiDawson

Slutty slut
Nov 5, 2016
485
16
18
Vancouver, BC
You fools!

Obviously she needs to maximize her RRSP by elongating her 401ok. Then she needs liquidate money before it turns gaseous. Now faxing is very important, remember that and invest in Bitcoins. Don't worry about online booking, internet is a fad, R.I.P in peace.

Taxes are a myth.

Business business business.
Finally, some sensible fuckin' advice.


Uhh, are band tees still in? Do we go for purple walls or just black? Thinking out loud here.
 
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