Whether you’re a new self-care entrepreneur or ready to move up from renting a chair, we’re here to help

So, you’ve decided to take your scissors, razors, and clippers and branch out on your own. Or perhaps you’re new to the self-care space, but you see a need to fill in your community. Either way, you have to know how to start a barbershop. Once you do, you can start helping people prepare for the biggest days of their lives — weddings, job interviews, the first day of school — or just maintain the cuts that keep them feeling good. Beyond that, you’ll build an establishment where community and conversation can flourish.

You’ll have the best shot if you approach opening a barbershop with the right preparation and strategy. These tips will help you learn how to choose the right equipment, find the best location, and spread the word about your business. So, let’s clip right to the point.

Pick a profitable location

One of the most important answers to the question of “how to start a barbershop” is finding the perfect location. To get there, you’ll need to consider a few different factors.

If you’re already working at someone else’s shop, you likely have some loyal clients willing to come with you. You’ll want to select a location that isn’t hard for those loyal patrons to reach. Consider the length of time or modes of transportation available to get to your new spot. Each of these considerations will encourage regulars to stay with you. That will help you start your new business with a client base and a reliable income stream. 

To attract new clients, you’ll want to select a location in the heart of the community. The ideal spot will be right in the middle of commuter, public transportation, and foot traffic. This will let people see your barbershop even without an advertising budget. A central location will also pave the way for more walk-ins (AKA new regulars just waiting to be converted).

Easy parking lot access is also ideal for getting more folks through your door. If potential walk-ins drive by, you don’t want them to spend 10 minutes looking for parking before they give up and head elsewhere.

Understand your starting costs

Before setting up a barber shop, it’s crucial to understand the expenses you may incur. That way, you can build them into your plans for working toward profitability instead of reeling from a financial blindside. Here are a few to keep in mind:

Business permits and fees

Want to know how to start a barbershop? Learning how to do so legally is a good place to start. Make sure you research all the fees associated with applying for a permit and the requirements necessary to receive that permit. No two municipalities may require the same steps, and what they ask for may change over time; in short, this is the kind of homework your future business can’t afford to skip.

Lease agreement

You need to know your deposit, monthly costs, and the term of the lease without any question. In addition to planning for starting costs, understanding these terms gives you the most financial flexibility possible. If possible, review your prospective lease agreement with an independent professional to ensure everything is on the level.

Shop insurance

Just like owning a car or a house, running a barbershop goes a lot smoother with insurance. Finding the right policies will help protect your business and ensure it can thrive for years to come.

One important form of insurance to consider is professional liability. It helps cover the cost of accidents that may occur during service, such as a client slipping and falling on a wet floor. There’s also general liability, which covers accidents not directly related to services. You’ll likely need both, so look for the rates and terms that best fit your business situation.

Equipment

Once you’ve secured your space, it’s time to furnish it with the tools of your trade. This is where your barber shop setup ideas can really take off. What equipment you own and how you integrate it into your space says a lot about your shop’s identity. Think about the chairs, mirrors, clippers, and waiting room furniture that will complete the utility and aesthetic of your shop. You know what your loyal clients like, so use that understanding to shop for the equipment that makes them feel right at home.

Now that you are running your own barber business, you may be able to offer services you couldn’t if you were renting a chair. This could include facials, shampoo treatments, hot towel treatments, and so on. Each piece of equipment necessary to render these services should factor into your initial expenses.

Collaborate and start marketing

When planning how to start a barbershop, getting the word out can make all the difference. Word of mouth is essential to get new clients, but it isn’t a marketing plan all by itself — especially if your shop’s in a competitive area. Marketing through multiple channels can open doors to new clients and even help you find your shop’s place in the barbershop and self-care business community.

Social media

Social media pages help clients find you, see photos and videos of your work, and interact with your brand prior to an appointment. Using multiple platforms can expand your reach to a broader range of potential clients. For instance, younger folks often search for business reviews on TikTok, while more middle-aged demographics may look for recommendations on Facebook.

You can even follow other barber pages for ideas on how to curate your brand and grow your business. You may find other professionals who like your shop and want to rent a chair of their own!

Web presence

Social media can be a huge help, but ultimately, you want all that attention to feed back into your website. A website gives you complete control of how you pitch your offerings to clients without interference from the whims of the algorithm. A dedicated site is also the ideal home for a branded self-booking experience that will help fill your calendar with appointments.

Make sure you give some love to your Google Business Profile, too. This will ensure the info box people see about your business on the search engine and on Google Maps is accurate and up-to-date.

Promotions

Special offers are another great way to get people through your barbershop’s door. Try giving a discount to first-time clients or people who make a successful referral. To stack the deck toward retention as much as possible, implement a loyalty program that rewards clients for coming in multiple times.

These kinds of promotions are all about finding the right balance; they can drum up more business quickly, but too much of a good thing will eat into your profit margin and overstretch your resources. Start slow and build up to see what works best with your business model.

In fact, “slow but steady” may be a good approach for your new barbershop business overall. New shops don’t become community cornerstones overnight. But if you put in the time and the care, you’ll be much more likely to find your people — and they’ll be very glad you did.