Starting a salon requires more than finding a location and purchasing equipment. You need to plan the business model, services, pricing, staff, inventory, customer management, payments, marketing, and daily operations.
A structured opening a salon checklist PDF can make the process easier by breaking the launch into smaller tasks.
📋 Get the Free Salon Opening Checklist:
salon-opening-checklist
1. Define Your Salon Business
Start by deciding what type of salon you want to operate.
Consider:
- Target customers
- Salon concept
- Services
- Location
- Pricing level
- Startup budget
- Expected monthly expenses
- Revenue goals
- Competitor analysis
Your business model should be clear before you start spending heavily on setup.
2. Research the Market
Study salons operating in your target area.
Check:
- Popular services
- Competitor prices
- Customer reviews
- Salon locations
- Customer demographics
- Service gaps
- Local demand
This research can help you identify opportunities to differentiate your salon.
3. Prepare a Startup Budget
Create a realistic estimate covering:
- Rent and deposit
- Interior work
- Furniture
- Salon equipment
- Initial inventory
- Staff recruitment
- Salaries
- Billing software
- Branding
- Signage
- Marketing
- Licenses and registrations
- Emergency working capital
Don't use your entire budget for the interior. Keep enough funds available for operating expenses after launch.
4. Choose Your Location
Evaluate potential locations based on:
- Customer accessibility
- Foot traffic
- Parking
- Visibility
- Nearby businesses
- Competitors
- Rent
- Utilities
- Available space
The ideal location depends on your target market, so don't select a property based only on price.
5. Check Legal Requirements
Before opening, research the registrations, licenses, tax requirements, safety requirements, and other permissions applicable to your location.
Your checklist should include:
- Business registration
- Local business permissions
- Tax requirements
- Shop/establishment requirements where applicable
- Fire-safety requirements
- Signage requirements
- Employment-related requirements
Always verify current requirements with the relevant authorities.
6. Design Your Service Menu
Decide what customers will be able to purchase.
For example:
Hair: Haircuts, styling, coloring, highlights, spa and treatments.
Beauty: Facials, cleanup, waxing, threading and skincare services.
Nails: Manicure, pedicure, gel polish, extensions and nail art.
Makeup: Party, event, engagement and bridal makeup.
Your services should match your team's skills and your target customer's needs.
7. Finalize Pricing
Create a structured price list after researching your local market.
Consider:
- Product cost
- Staff cost
- Service duration
- Salon overhead
- Competitor pricing
- Desired profit margin
You can also create packages, memberships, introductory offers, and seasonal promotions.
8. Purchase Equipment
Prepare an equipment checklist according to the services you offer.
Common requirements include:
- Styling chairs
- Mirrors
- Hair dryers
- Wash stations
- Facial beds
- Beauty equipment
- Manicure tables
- Pedicure chairs
- Nail lamps
- Reception desk
- Waiting chairs
- Storage
- Trolleys
Avoid buying equipment that isn't necessary for your initial service menu.
9. Hire Your Team
Determine how many employees you need and define each role.
Possible positions include:
- Hairstylist
- Beautician
- Nail technician
- Makeup artist
- Receptionist
- Salon assistant
Document:
- Salary
- Commission
- Working hours
- Attendance
- Leave
- Responsibilities
- Customer-service standards
Train employees before the official opening.
10. Prepare Inventory
Create an initial inventory list for all services.
Include:
- Professional hair products
- Hair color
- Skincare products
- Waxing supplies
- Nail products
- Makeup products
- Towels
- Disposable items
- Cleaning supplies
Set minimum stock levels so essential products don't unexpectedly run out.
11. Set Up Salon Technology
Technology can simplify many repetitive salon-management tasks.
Consider systems for:
- Appointments
- Customer records
- Billing
- Inventory
- Employee attendance
- Commission tracking
- Payments
- Customer reminders
- Revenue reports
Even a small salon benefits from keeping customer and transaction information organized from the beginning.
12. Build Your Online Presence
Before opening, prepare your digital presence.
Set up:
- Website or landing page
- Google Business Profile
- WhatsApp Business
- Service menu
- Contact information
- Opening hours
- Location information
- Booking details
Use professional photographs and consistent branding across your platforms.
13. Plan Your Marketing
Create a launch campaign before opening.
Possible activities include:
- Social media posts
- Opening offers
- Referral programs
- Local partnerships
- Influencer collaborations
- Google Business Profile optimization
- Local advertising
- Customer reviews
Start building awareness before your opening date.
14. Create Operating Procedures
Document simple procedures for everyday activities.
Opening
- Check cleanliness
- Prepare workstations
- Check appointments
- Check inventory
- Turn on required equipment
During the Day
- Manage bookings
- Record customer details
- Complete services
- Process payments
- Update inventory
- Track staff commissions
Closing
- Complete billing
- Review daily sales
- Clean equipment
- Check stock
- Review the next day's appointments
- Secure the salon
15. Test Before Launch
Complete a test customer journey before opening.
Test:
- Website
- Booking
- Customer registration
- Service selection
- Billing
- Payment
- Receipt
- Staff assignment
- Inventory update
- Customer notification
Fix problems before your first official customer arrives.
Quick Pre-Opening Checklist
☐ Business plan
☐ Market research
☐ Location
☐ Legal requirements
☐ Startup budget
☐ Interior
☐ Equipment
☐ Inventory
☐ Staff
☐ Training
☐ Service menu
☐ Price list
☐ Billing
☐ Booking system
☐ Payment methods
☐ Hygiene procedures
☐ Website
☐ Google Business Profile
☐ Social media
☐ Marketing campaign
☐ Grand-opening plan
☐ Test customer journey
Download the Free Salon Opening Checklist
When you're managing a salon launch, it's easy to overlook small but important tasks. A checklist gives you a simple way to track the setup process from the initial business plan through opening day.
📥 Opening a Salon Checklist:
salon-opening-checklist
Use it as a planning document, review it before launch, and update it as your salon grows.
Final Takeaway
A successful salon launch requires coordination across business planning, finances, location, legal requirements, equipment, staff, services, pricing, inventory, technology, marketing, and operations.
Rather than trying to manage everything from memory, break the project into stages:
Research → Plan → Budget → Set Up → Hire → Stock → Market → Test → Launch
A practical checklist can help keep the entire process organized and reduce the chances of missing an important pre-opening task.
👉 Get the free checklist:
salon-opening-checklist
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