Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

For a $15 haircut, how much does the owner keep?

Sir,

Above all I first would like to thank you for serving our country, this country needs more men and women like you. Now as for you starting a barber shop it is a great idea. As you said it is hard to find one, they all are style shops now. I have been married to a barber for 27 years and when it comes time for him needing a haircut we have a hard time finding a BARBER SHOP. He as worked mainly on military bases and we have moved around to different base areas for him to work. Military barber shops are contracted out to the highest percentage bid that they would give to AFES BX ect... Then the barbers are paid a percentage. For instance if a haircut is $10.00 and they get 50% which makes that $5.00 a haircut they get. Some of the barbers just want to get the haircut done and get the next person in the chair, because the more haircuts they do the more money they make. Now some of the contractors have gone where they do not care if you are a barber or stylist as long as you have a license to cut hair that's all they care about, and if you are a woman that's even better because they feel a military man is not going to care what the haircut looks like as long as a woman cuts it and it is regulation haircut. If you do your shop 1 important tool to have is a vacuum. You attach it to clippers which keeps almost all the hair off except those that are cut with shears. You will be able to advertise on base who you are and that you will give military discounts. You want the price where it will make it worth them coming off base especially if you are very far away from the base. Also remember to because they have a license does not mean they can cut hair. This is a few tips on what I know being married to a barber who has cut hair on all types of bases and civilian shops.

Good luck!!!

There is a really nice Barber shop here in Birmingham, AL ( http://www.cutandshave.com/ ) It's owned by a woman, and all the barbers that work there are women too. A wash comes with any cut, and you get a free drink of your choice when you walk in. Reservations are possible.  There are two big screen tv's mounted on the walls and leather chairs as you walk in, very nice and up-scale.

Aside from the higher prices, I cant say anything bad about them.

There are not enough barber/salon shops for men if you ask me. It's an under-served market.

Sammy you are definitely on the right track with a business idea. There are not many barber shops around now a days and I can honestly say, I have never seen one while travelling. They are such a sweet little place and I know when I was young my grand father had one and loved it.

Your ideas are great and this is a business that will always be needed. You should consider grabbing a empty journal and start jotting down ideas. You never know what you'll come up with and having that journal with you everywhere can save you from missing any million dollar ideas.

Hope everything works out for you

A barber shop is great business idea. Actually, I'm also planning to put up one as soon as I ahev enough capital. The complimentary softdrinks and military discounts is a great unique selling point. Good luck!

The real money is in hairdressing, not barbering, which is a marginal and commoditized business.

The position barbering holds in the public mind is poor.  A barber is a guy who does $10 haircuts.

Seems to me you're talking about investing in salon-grade decor for a service that is not valued much in our culture.  Read everything you can about marketing a hair salon and decide if your best target market really is a bunch of dudes who yearn for an army crewcut.

I'm betting the market isn't there and what is there isn't likely to be lucrative.  The reason barbershops are run-down is because there's not much money in the business.

Loren, how nice to hear your up-beat response.  Your are quite wrong in asserting that there is not a market.  There is clearly a market out there.  For example there is a couple of successful chains such as Roosters and Floyds.  They are serving a market of men that would just as well be happy going to a place like SuperButchers, but are caught up in being trendy.  The real market is in loyal barbers, those that you know will be there in three more weeks; and loyal customers at the locally owned barbershop.

It is unfortunate that most shops are run down, but it is a matter of poor management.  The barbers are skilled and the clients are loyal, but involved (supportive) management is lacking.

Hey owners and barber!  Get any barbers or owners that you know involved in community discussions like this.  The industry needs it!  Also, the Barbers International conference is coming up in May.  Let's get organized and improve our public perception and value!

Hi,

You sound pretty gung ho about your business idea, good for you, you need unlimited enthusiasm to succeed in your own business.  I'm an ex NYC fireman now living in Toronto.  I have 2 businesses, one a retail franchise and one telecommunications business.  Retail can be quite tough as rent, payroll, taxes and every other expense can quickly eat away at your profits.  Although everyone needs a haircut, there is stiff competition in the industry.  Make sure you have very healthy margins, if your can cut your profit projections by 50% and you still have a viable businses then go for it.  Most startups are too rosy in their projections, me included.  The book "The Knack" by Norm Brodsky is a good read.  Good Luck!

HI I am a Barber/Stylist 26 years and would consider working your barber shop the correct  way . I Cut all styles fore Men From Military to Styles ?fades/ I shave the neck and use neck strips and completely clean off the neck and clothes , I do the real deal . Please reply here to get my contact info. Or supply a phone number so that i can call you .