Thread: Hmmm... It's a Thought

Like most businesses, you need two things; Good employees and good word of mouth. Choose barbers that are very friendly service oriented types and you're all set.

I don't really know what would make a successful venture, but it's an intriguing idea. The barber shops I’ve enjoyed going to the most over the years always had…

• A friendly set of customers waiting their turn… guys you could talk to and feel comfortable. If there were kids there, the parent made them behave. A relaxing place!
• A comfortable shop… chairs you didn’t mind sitting in for an hour if needed and spaced apart enough so you didn’t feel like you were on an airplane. They had interesting magazines, newspapers, etc.
• They were near a small café, a hardware store, a smoke shop, etc... ie, venues that made it easy to kill time if there was going to be a long wait.
• And most importantly, a barber that made a difference… he became a friend, remembered what was going on in your life, shared what was going on in his life, and most importantly gave a great haircut and/or shave.

Over the years I’ve been to too many shops where they don’t remember you’ve ever been there before, where they don't remember which side you part your hair on, where they cut your hair in 15-20 minutes and there’s no chit-chat, where they have an annoyingly loud TV blaring CNN or some kids cartoon show, or the barber is a big-busted woman (scantilly clad/nude) who sorta cuts hair. but mostly... well, you know. For me, these are not the places I want to go back to, if I can help it. ( well, maybe the one big-busted place, but otherwise... ). I currently get my hair cut by an women who was a refugee from Iraq many years ago... $10, good cut, pleasant conversation, convenient location. But it sure lacks the atmosphere of a REAL barbershop!

To go slightly OT, it's always been a mystery to me how a barber made a living... it certainly can't be from cutting hair, can it?

For example, maybe 15 years ago I used a barber who had a shop in a building with a fancy restaurant, several stock/security investment offices, etc. Definitely not a "low rent" building. The shop wasn't particularly large, but it had enough seating for maybe 6 customers and 2 barber chairs, although I'm sure he was the only barber there. The guy charged $6.50 for a clippers/scissors haircut, and the cut always took 35-45 minutes... he was a "talker". He was open from 8:30 to 6:00 M-F... that's roughly time to do maybe 12 haircuts a day. Given a decent tip, that would result in an income of about $100/day... or $22K/year, less expenses. As I said before, this wasn't a low rent building, so expenses had to be in the neighborhood of $1000/month... leaving $10K for the barber before taxes.

Now, on the other end of the spectrum, more recently I had my hair cut for a number of years by a "high class" barber who only worked by appointment, only did razor cuts, and had the knack of cutting hair so that you needed a haircut only once a month. He charged $28 and didn't accept tips, did one customer an hour, and was open from 9-5 weekdays. It's hard to estimate his revenue since he also did hair pieces, dye jobs, etc. But on haircuts alone he would have been making in the neighborhood of $50K less expenses. I'd guess his expenses were closer to $2K per month, leaving him an income in the $25K range before taxes.

Neither of these guys appeared to be living near the poverty level... they both drove nice cars, dressed well, lived in middle-class neighborhoods, and their talk about their "personal life" indicated they certainly had disposable income. The second guy had 2 kids in college, which ain't cheap these days! Does every barber have to have a "hidden" source of income (eg, bookie) to survive? Maybe it's the hidden income that creates the customer base?

I go to a place like that now. They have big leather couches, darts, pool tables and cigars. When you come in they offer you a beer or other drink. They do haircuts and straight shaves (with disposible blades due to health dept. requirements). Its for men only other than the standard hot girl behind the counter. There is a membership option or you can just walk in. Its a really great place, other than the fact that they done use real old fashioned straights, I wouldnt change a thing about it.

http://www.shavinggracebarbers.com/

It could work. The way to promote the shaves would
be to sell gift certificates. Perfect gift for the man
who is hard to buy for or who has everything.

For the first week or two have a daily drawing for
a free daily straight shave. This shaving shave would
have to be promoted really well in the beginning. And
besides, a few free shaves would be cheap and effective
form of advertising.

Of course the bread and butter would be haircuts.
Customers waiting their turn for the trim up may
be intrigued by someone getting a shave.

It would take a while though to build a customer clientel.
I would want two years worth of operating capital sitting
in the bank before starting out on any business venture.

Just my scatter brained thoughts


Terry

Most new businesses have a product or service that could benefit there community. But 95 percent of small businesses fail within the first 5 years. Why? Because they have no idea how to market.


If I were going to start a barber shop. I would look at hiring a professional writer to help me perfect a grass roots mail out advertisement. Each letter would be sealed with real wax, and personally signed by myself. This way yours stands out from the crowd of bills and other daily mailings.

It would be a front and back page announcing your shop, your service, and then describing, in the most eloquent way possible the REAL advantages of a straight shave over other methods. I would include 4 coupons, each for a 1 time 50 percent discount. I would also offer a free shave and beer to any guy who has just turned 21. Why 21? Aside from the beer thing, there facial hair is thicker, and they have had time to experience crappy shaving with the gillette products.

I would have a database to track these coupons. With there drivers lisense number being the ID. So if they use a coupon, you ask for there DL, and enter the number. They try to use another one, and it will pop up, customer has exceeded the amount of times able to use a coupon.

At the same time, I would be heavily soliciting all of the local radio stations, inviting there dj's in for free shaves. Add into that any newspaper editors, or magazine editors in the area. Your writeup should be done up well enough with references listed that they could actually publish it in the newspaper if they wanted too. I would also buy floor space in your local mall when I was starting out, and provide 10 dollar shaves. Just enough to break even. Shave them, and send them off with a coupon for a free beer and 20 percent off there shave. You should still be able to turn a profit like this.

Then, religious orginizations. Free shave for a pastor. Your job is to build a repor with the community, and pastors are well respected. You treat them well, they will do more grass roots advertising for you than anyone else. When they reccomend something, most people will trustingly listen to them.

Next, invading of all male establishments. Fire stations, police stations, work with them to set a date where you can go to them and give them a free shave.

IMO this establishment needs two sides, the grooming side, and a lounge side. Where guys can come in, order a drink, and watch some sports.

Those are my thoughts

Great idea. I'd be willing to drive down to Fresno once in a while for a good shave and a cigar. Providing that's Fresno, CA, that is.lol

I think this sounds like a great idea. Personally I think a college town would be the perfect place for something like this. You could recruit clients from the Fraternities and Dorms. The male proffessors could also be a solid source of regular customers. Just a thought.

I would agree with everyone who keeps talking about the importance of marketing. I live in a town where alot of the barbershops are turning into sports bars with haircuts. This is mostly because one place opened with great success and now several have followed their lead. Personally I have always enjoyed the barber shop that has a TV that is never on. Just good conversation with the barber and the other customers. Besides, daytime television has no place in a barbershop anyway.

Just my opinion, I could be wrong.

Jim

I have noticed three main catagories of clients that go to my establishment, which sounds just like your idea Bill.
1. Affluent men who can afford to be regularly pampered like a woman without having to feeling like one.
2. Individuals who want to live like the wealthy professional every now and then
3. Men who were given gift certificates (this is perfect for men who have everything)

As far as college students, preachers, most blue collar workers, etc. They are rarely seen there. Probably because only the more affluent individuals can justify the expense on a regular basis? The prices are not extremely high, for example a light facial and shave with hot towel treatment as well as a haircut is $60.00, but I guess when you can get a good haircut for $25.00 it seems like a high price. It may also be the way they market the place, because in all honesty its not THAT expensive.

In the area where I live a barber who would attempt
to charge $25.00 for a haircut would end up starving
to death waiting on customers. Most charge around
$8.00. I"m MAY stand a chance in Charleston, the
state capital. But with a population of 50,000 people
and most of them are not affulent, I doubt that it would
make it there. So I would definately cross West Virginia
off the list. But I do love the place, don't ask me why
though.


Terry

Just one more quick thought on the subject. It would be perfect for Las Vegas. The only problem would be a lack of "regulars".