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First Time Entrepreneur Seeking Your Advice

By Rajan Balana on 29 Comments / 3309 views

Hello Rodinhoods,

I am writing this post in order to seek some advices from experts available in this forum. 

Actually I had made a partial plan for starting up a “Mobile Salon Service“. As the name explains itself, under this service we will provide ladies and girls with possible salon services at their doorstep. The service will be only for ladies.

Initially, I am thinking of not patching up with parlours but hiring our own beauticians. 

I had decided the brand name: https://www.salonredefined.com

Doubts:

– Will Girls/beauticians be ready for visiting the customer’s home/office?

– I am worried about the safety and security of the beautician.

What are your suggestions for me before executing this idea? I would really like to know your comments. 

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29 Comments

  1. rajan,

    which city are you based in? that is a really really crucial point to figure out whether your idea will work or not!!!

    i’m gonna let other rodinhooders advise you first. but i will definitely put my thoughts down and share them later on…

  2. We are initially thinking of starting it up from Chandigarh. We are based in Chandigarh.

  3. okay… so first of all, i would suggest you start small by approaching only known clients. and increase your client-base through known referrals only. 

    this is a tricky biz – both for the beautician and client. it involves privacy and safety issues. more later….

  4. I am still a learner in this community, but I would say initially complete your plan, and embed that as a presentation.

    Include all the points given by Alok Sir in his Business Plan Template.
    (You will get that from the Home page itself)

    And then wait for the experts to give in their advises. Believe me, each and evry advice would be helpful.

    All the best Rajan!

  5. Yeah, That’s why I am still in lots of doubts. But I am starting from scratch, so there are no “Known Clients”. 

    However, Safety of girls in India is a “HUGE CONCERN”. 😐 Confused!

  6. Hii Tejas,

    Thank you for bringing up time for replying. 

    I would really like to post the plan, but the Doubts which I mentioned above are forcing me to re-think over the Idea, As soon as the doubts are resolved. The plan will be presented 🙂 

    If you can help me with resolving the doubts and problems. It would be really helpful.

  7. Bravo Rajan! 

    @Asha: Although Rajan is young (he just passed out last year), he has some amazing entrepreneurial skills and ambitions. And he is a talented iOS developer as well! I am sure the community will help him.. 

    My observations:

    a) I will suggest that a guy accompanies the girl (beautician) for every first time customer. Once the rapport is build, there is no tension.

    b) You can also send a team before hand to confirm the security aspects.

    c) You can introduce “only referral” system.. hence, only a referral from an existing customer would be served (yeah, it is your idea, but a good one!!)

    d) Use Facebook only customer system. You can easily verify the customer via Facebook.. maybe by adding few of her friends?

    Over to you.. 🙂

    PS: All the best dude!

  8. As I told you I am a just born entrepreneur.
    In fact yet to be born 🙂

    See, your Idea is great. believe me. you have won half the battle there.
    Now it is great that you know your limitations. and believe me they can be overcome.

    1) Security as Mohul said can be tackled in various ways. Referral is a good option.

    I suggest one session with a lady is not a sale closed but a long term relationship started.
    Intially for every 1st session, the beautician would be accompanied by a guy, who would do a check on the family and will have all the details taken down.

    You can arrange for police verification of the address of your customers by submitting their photo ID proof and Adress proof. Remember this is for the first time.

    Once you know your customer and the details well, I do not think there would be any problem with the safety.
    (Additionally you could give your beauticians something like a safety buzzer,
    remember that iball phone for old aged persons. One button pressed and call goes to five different persons for SOS)

    All this should be done in a very friendly manner so that the customer do not get scared!!

    This way, security is maintained. You would know their details, and this would enable you to develop a long lasting relationship…

    P.S- Finally, never ever doubt your idea. Doubting your idea is the first step of taking it down.
    Believe in what you have thought and positively work towards it..

    All the very best dude!

  9. Thanks Tejas,

    Your suggestions and recommendations are really valuable. I will look over them and will execute the plan. 

    Thanks a LOT 😀 

  10. Hey Rajan, there are some similar services in the market already. In Mumbai we have Belita (backed by IndiaQuotient) and CityBliss. You can study what they do.

    I’ve heard that Belita serves only females at their residences and there a couple of Belita employees present when the work is on so that seems safe. Also, if the HO stays in touch with the team on the field, that helps prevent something unfortunate. CityBliss, however, invites clients (males and females) into their van because of the reservations you share.

    All the best!

  11. Hii Sushrut,

    Thank you for responding. I am glad with your comment. 

    I want to ask one thing, As you told, there are few business of that kind already (in Mumbai), so it would be a good idea to start a new one (in Chandigarh) ?

  12. It really depends on the clientele present. I’m not acquainted with Chandigarh. Are there many spas in the city?

  13. There are not many Spas and moreover there are not any proper mobile salon service, But I doubt then what will be USP for expanding the services in other cities around India where the competitors are already present.

  14. See, this is now the famous scenario where you have two options..

    1) As there are not many spas and no mobile service, you have a tremendous scope of growth.

    2) There is no such service because the city does not have that kind of appetite.

    Now I have been to Chandigarh only twice, that too Sector 17!!
    So I cannot comment about it. But as far as I know, Chandigarh and Mohali has one of the highest per capita income among cities. So people would not mind spending.
    Now on your part do market research. Approach a salon and ask them the footfall and the rates.

    You need to know the consumers and their spending appetite.

    To put things in a nutshell

    1) You have a potential market where there is less competition.
    2) So do your market research using polls or visiting and see consumer inclination towards salon
    3)Likewise work on your costing.

    Follow this structured approach.

    P.S- “But I doubt then what will be USP for expanding the services in other cities around India where the competitors are already present”
    First concentrate completely on Chandigarh and Mohali. Rest of India will be taken care of once you grow. We all know Pizza Hut and Dominos enjoy good competition and good revenues..

    And my sermon ends!!

  15. Rajan as far as beauticians security is concern, you can stream line the process for the first timer. When you receive a prospect’s invitation, you can do some study on the customer before sending your beautician. This study to include their real status and future potential as customer.

    Also you need to think from customer’s perspective. Will they be secure in calling your beautician at their place?

    How many customers do you think you can get in the first 3 months? How are your so called customers satisfying the need which you plan to cater? Most important why would they leave their existing options to avail your service (in terms of cost and benefit from customer’s perspective)?

    Apart from security you need to have some answers to these questions?

    All the best!!

  16. HI rajan ,

    This concept is alreday working and is considered as premimum service

    As per my understanding

    1) You cant run this as a generic service it has to be a  premium service 

    2) you have to target marrages , Shoots , events etc  Kindly find right  T.G

    3) Matter of saftey is not a issue if u can have a background check of a client dont provide services as 1on 1 to consumers but make it a premium service for a pre defined target segment

  17. Hi Rajan,

    First of all let me tell you that yours is a gr8 idea. In this discussion I came across your three doubts

    1. Will Girls….: Before hiring, you will tell them the nature of business…The way we are into home delivery business, you will be giving your services at customers place..

    2. Safety: Safety is really concern, however there should be at least a Million women working.. As suggested by Sushrut, start it for females – for females, Males – Males. Females should be accompanied by a co-worker. They should be in touch with your office.. If proper care is taken, this is not a big deal.

    3. If people are already into business, shall I start a new one : If everybody think like this, there will be monopoly in every business. TATA only can sell still and BATA only can sell shoes. No competition, no choices. Currently there is no body working on the same idea in your city, so why you are worried. The right answer this question can be given by you only. Why you want to start the business ? What is different ? There is not always need to do something new, you can do something a different way also. Almost every idea is in action somewhere else.

  18. Hi Ashish,

    Thank you for your reply. You are amazing and cheerful. Thanks for motivating. I am already thinking upon the doubts you presented. They are very genuine and need fixes 🙂 

    Thanks once again 🙂

  19. Hey Rajan,

    Nice idea & targets a genuine need esp. amongst working women or ladies restricted to their home for long periods due to health issues, etc. So I personally feel you should go for it.

    Just get a few things planned before venturing –

    How many women in the geography would want to have this & at what cost? Important for margins. Might as well do a survey amongst households.

    Security. As somebody commented you can have a male team up with the ladies.

    How about tying up with existing mid-size beauty salons hungry for growth. If you do so, you may get ready data about preferences of women & also win some trust amongst clients (initially very essential for a startup). You may also earn through advertising these salon’s products & getting them to help you build up an expert team in the long run.

    Happy starting!

  20. hey rajan,

    any updates to share with us?

  21. Rajan…. there is a Similar service being provided in Gurgaon….

    You can Check the details in the Link below and do some homework learning from them about the business Model and the Problems Faced.

    https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10200913879784686&set=a.1137497553063.2022062.1096084089&type=1&theater&notif_t=photo_comment

  22. Hello Gurpreet & Asha,

    Thank you for replying to this thread. However, the problem we are facing as of now is that We have funding issue, We don’t have enough money to start with the vehicles. Moreover, when we took feedback from people regarding calling the beautician at home, most of them said they don’t want their neighbours to know that she is getting some kind of beauty service at home and what all services she got served with. 

    Another problem which we are facing is finding out girls and getting them work with a “STARTUP”. The girls which are much more experienced are not ready to work with us and on the other hand the fresher girls they don’t want this home based salon service comfortable. 

    There is one more problem, People are preferring in-vehicle service just like a “Vanity Van” kind of service. I don’t have money as of now and I am seriously not able to figure out what to do :|.

    If you guys can help in some manner, it would be really appreciating. 

  23. Hello Rajan…….

    Home Masseurs And Beauticians have been in vogue for past many decades. Only that it is one Individual who does it and not a company.

    I believe that the Concept has huge Potential…. But  will take time to grow….and If you start it now in a small way and keep sticking to it for some time learning the ropes… then there could be no looking back.

    For one:-
    1)Let it be for only females. By Females, for Females.

    2) Restrict the Services to so called Safe Sectors/Societies.

    3) Work Hard on getting first 10 Customers and then Play on Referrals. Promote  old customers to refer by giving them incentives (Read Free Services)
    4)In vehicle Service would not work… To much of Expense(Running Vehicle, Fuel Cost/A/c Cost, Driver Cost and would not justify.

    How will the neighbours know?

    And One more…. if you are facing a problem in getting Beauticians/Girls then pay them more….. or GIve them a Scooty to move around.

    your expenses would be low compared to other Parlours as you have no Rent and Power bills to pay for.

    Home Services would be given at a Slight Premium. So you can go ahead and pay them good and make them feel comfortable working for you.

    Do get a Small Services Agreement(Could be  Brochure one side and TC in fine print at the back. Signed from them which has T&C at the back that they are responsible for any Pilferage, so they should take care of it etc etc…

    So your company does not get into a legal hassle.

    Let me know if this makes some sense……

  24. Hi Rajan,

    Start up means – Ruk Ruk Ke Daudna ! I think Gurpreet has valid points to start up with low budget. Take a small step, grow, take one more step, grow double….. Keep trust in your dreams. Finance, Leads, Customer acquisition are the most common problems faced by every startup. These will be solved only if you are convinced with the idea and continue to pursue it.

    All the best ! Risk to superman ko bhi lena padta hain ! Just go for it……..

  25. Thank to all the guys who replied to this forum. I have one “LAST QUESTION”.

    How much money would be needed to start this business? So that I can verify whether I need to do more savings or I can go at this moment. 

    I just want a near-around guess 🙂

    I hope you guys can give me a approximation, I mean the range of money amount I should I have. 

    Thanks

    Rajan Balana

  26. Enough to sustain you Business for 12 Months …. Even if your Revenues are ZERO.
    Thsi includes  Fixed Expenses and Operational Expenses……… Like Rent, Salary, Travel, Lower, Equipments/Tools, Machines, Registration, Admin and Misc

  27. Your replies, Gupreet, are so well thought out and thorough. I really appreciate the sincerity with which you’re helping Rajan. A true Rodinhood spirit, I believe 🙂 All the best Rajan!

  28. Sushrut Bhai……. We all go through the same problems…. Only difference is that some people are able to solicit good Advice from Forum Like TRHS and some don’t and make their own mistakes.

    I for myself….. got hurt many a times…. but us time there was no Window like this to look to.
    Just shared what i thought was right…. Som may come handy… Some may not as each business has it’s own problems and that is only realised when you Dive in.

    Am Glad… You liked what I wrote!

    Rajan Bhai… Best Wishes!!

  29. happy b’day rajan!

    do update us this idea of yours!!

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