How to start a hair salon in Uganda

How to start a hair salon in Uganda. A hair salon is a place that also offers additional cosmetic and beauty-related services. Are you contemplating starting one?

You are in the right place. Hair salons have been in Uganda for years now and they are one of the most profitable businesses in Uganda.

Hair salons come in two types, one for men and the other for women. However today we are looking at how one can start any of the fore mentioned salons.

How to start a hair salon in Uganda

Now let us look at the steps involved in starting a hair salon in Uganda.

Step 1. Create a salon business plan.

Writing a business plan should be your first step when starting any business.

A business plan provides you with a clear objective, outlines how you will achieve that objective, and gives you a good idea of what you need to do to be successful. 

Make sure you have a good understanding of the existing salon market in your area, including how large it is, if it is growing and the trends.

This will help you to plan exactly how you will compete against other salons in your area. 

You should also have a strong idea of your target customers. Think about what kind of salon you want to open and the type of customers you want.

Steps 2. Raise Capital.

Next in line is raising the funds required to start your hair salon.

Starting a men’s hair salon costs 500,000 UGX to 3M UGX, while for women, it costs 1M UGX to 6M UGX to start.

There are plenty of ways how you can raise funds for your salon and they include the following.

• From raising capital yourself (bootstrapping)
• Getting a bank loan
• Raising money from friends and family
• Getting a grant
• And many more

For more on raising capital for starting a hair salon in Uganda, see this post.

Step 3. Get the required Licences.

Operating any type of business in Uganda requires a licence so does the hair salon business. As you are starting your salon, it is advisable to get all the required licences.

These are some of the common licenses, regulations and permits required for salons:

• Salon license
• Cosmetology license(s)
• Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN)
• Sanitation

Step 4. Find distributors.

To obtain products for your salon – such as chairs, mirrors, washing and drying stations, shampoo, conditioner, pins, and brushes – you will need to contact a distributor.

You can find local, wholesale or national distributors here in Kampala. 

When you begin your distributor search, remember to shop carefully and consider every prospect.

As you are buying your salon equipment, it is good to deal with more than one distributor to get products at good prices and also good customer care.

Step 5. Choose the right location to open your salon.

Whether you buy a building or rent a retail space, your location is one of the biggest expenses of opening a salon, and there are many factors to consider when making this decision.

Your salon should be in a well-populated area and easily accessible by car or public transportation.

Also, make sure you are far enough away from competitors that offer the same services as your salon. 

Keep the security of the place in mind as you are looking for a location for your hair salon in Uganda. Don’t go to places that are commonly troubled by thieves.

Step 6. Hire staff.

The next step in starting a hair salon in Uganda is to hire staff.

Your salon is only as good as the people you employ to help run it. Because beauty is such a personal industry, it is vital to hire skilled, knowledgeable and friendly staff. 

If possible, train your staff yourself. “Your salon will be built around your stylists and technicians, ensuring they are comfortable with upselling products and other treatments across the brand is the difference between success and failure.” 

Taking the time to train your employees thoroughly will help your business run more smoothly and maintain a professional reputation. 

Step 7. Hire a designer for your salon.

Do you have a bigger budget? consider hiring a designer.

Hiring a designer to help you create your salon can reduce stress and ensure an appealing, functional workspace.

A designer can help you determine an overall look and feel that is consistent with the image you want to project. 

Step 8. Make your salon stand out.

“With salons on every corner, even in small. towns, entering into the market with a speciality or service niche can dramatically increase the buzz

Think about what will make your salon unique.

Is it the services you will offer? Your attentive staff? Your customized experiences? Whatever it may be, try to make it a focal point of your identity and grow your business from there.

In other words, find what will make your salon stand out. Growing your business in a niche market is much easier than trying to succeed in a large, general market. 

For more on how to start a hair salon, see this post.

Your Turn…

That is all that is required to start a hair salon business in Uganda. What has touched you most? Talk to Us in the comments section below.