HOW TO CREATE A Successful salon chain

We sat down with Talisha Cox to find out about opening her own salon chain and what she learnt along the way

Talisha opened her first Elite Hair Lounge in Stockwell, London in 2015. Due to the popular demand of the salon’s Elite Silk Press, her second and third London branches soon opened in 2018 and 2020. Now, in 2023 Talisha has set her sights on two further salon openings, so we asked for her top tips for expanding your business.

TALISHA’S TOP TIPS

When did you make the decision to open more than one salon?

This daydream turned into a serious consideration once salon demand became higher than we could deliver from just the one branch. We were fully booked up to three months in advance, so the risk of opening salon number two felt far less great - from that point it was a natural and logical step for our next opening.

What advice do you have for someone who is thinking of opening their second salon?

Before taking the plunge, I always recommend making sure you are maximising capacity in your current salon. For example:

1. Are you open extra days and/or hours if needs be?

2. Review your salon layout to reconfigure and create more bookable stations

3. Are you fully staffed?

4. Assess your team to make sure the salon is running the way you want it to. After that, you will have the reassurance that your salon is running efficiently, at maximum capacity, in the hands of a trustworthy, stable team for when you aren’t present.

It’s easy to get consumed with running a business and lose yourself as a hairdresser. Keep yourself clued up with up-to-date trends and new hair education and remain in the know to keep your salon current

How do you know when the time is right?

Ultimately, it’s a journey and less about waiting for the ‘right time’ because there are unexpected trials and external factors out of your control. However, I always want to have confidence in, and control over these key business areas: 1. Seamless business operating structure 2. Salon profitability 3. Consistent, quality customer service standards 4. High demand of bookings

How do you know when to stop opening salons?

I am a natural entrepreneur so sometimes I find it more difficult to know when to stop because I am continuously striving for more. For me, the brakes need to go on when you are feeling constant burn out or you no longer feel in control. If the business begins to have a negative impact on your personal wellbeing and you are no longer enjoying the journey then it may be time to stop, take stock and regain control over your wellbeing and business.

Have you kept the look and feel of your salons the same, or do they all have their own personality?

All our salons have a similar look; we strive to keep a consistent feel, energy and service no matter which salon you visit.

Do you have a manager for each salon?

Yes, we do. It’s important to me that each salon is run independently rather than having a group management structure.

What are your top three pieces of advice for being a multiple business owner?

1. Take every hurdle as a learning opportunity. There will be lots of bumps in the road!

2. Scheduling time out of the business for yourself will mean you can give the best of you rather than all of you to your business.

3. It’s easy to get consumed with running a business and lose yourself as a hairdresser. Keep yourself clued up with up-to-date trends and new hair education and remain in the know to keep your salon current.