The Struggle of Designing the Lithonia & Charlotte Private Label Hair Stores!

Nothing beats the experience of having your first store opened.

Well, maybe just your second and third store too!

I remember when I was opening the third location, and I was checking places in Vegas with my girlfriend.

We went to one of Aria’s top floors and I opened my arms for an excitement bigger than my heart.

It’s not all roses though, finding the place, finalizing the leases, and getting everything neatly in order is a nightmare.

But the more you enjoy the bad parts of what you do, the more you succeed in it.

Let’s find out some of the struggles I went through with Dallas Christoper the international hairstylist while we were getting the Lithonia and Charlotte places done.

Know what are the costs of opening a hair store before diving into this.

 

Getting Construction Done

When I was opening the Lithonia and Charlotte locations, the constructors were stalling.

I learned the hard way that It’s more cost-effective to start your lease after construction and that is what I did later on with the Smyrna Showroom.

Especially if the place needs a lot of work, you have to work yourself a deal whether to start the lease later or to discount that from the lease value.

City inspection might get you behind schedule too.

Hire a constructor whom you dealt with before or based on a close friend's recommendation.

The lease should cost you around $3000 monthly on a multi-year lease if it’s a decent store.

Buying Storage Units

Your storage units are your dear friend while opening your store.

Things can get messy or tangling when it includes hair.

I have a $3000 budget for storage bins only.

I get them delivered from U-line and you can work out a deal with one of their sales representatives to cut the cost a little bit.

They cost around $10 to $15 each.

But they will be going all the way with you.

Security Doors and More

I care about my security system.

In Private Label, we hold inventory for our clients and ourselves worth 1 million dollars.

Even if you weren’t able to make a security system that is impossible to break into, you have to make a system strong enough to withhold trials.

You can get an alarm system for $500.

Security cameras for $200 each.

Security bar for $200.

Security door for $200.

I went to Lowe’s to get what I needed with Dallas using Dallas’ nephew’s car.

Though it was a real pain to fit the doors in the SUV.

But we managed to, then I hired a welder to install the doors for $850, the work is worth top $650, but we didn’t have enough time to hustle around.

Decorating Plants and Furniture

Your shop must be an impressive and immersive experience.

People should feel comfortable hanging out and finding out what you have to offer.

That includes many mirrors so they can check out their look continuously.

Full body and round mirrors, get crazy with it.

I love plants, they get a perfect contrast with the black color of the hair.

Enrich your store's visual landscape with some greenery all over the place.

Buy yourself all the shelves that you can put your hands on and decorate them against the wall with a luring pattern to showcase the wigs you have.

Speaking of wigs, we’re going to need some mannequin heads.

In addition to, some lash stands, and tables to put different products.

Don’t forget about a wide counter with chairs so your employees can check out the orders using their computers and POS systems.

It will be a good idea too if you buy them some cleaning supplies along with a microwave or mini fridge for their lunch breaks.

Investing in your employees has a higher return on investment than anything else.

More more managing skills in our Hair Business Masterclass.