Welcome Back: Letter to my readers

Dear reader,
Its being more than a year since i wrote my last post. I can tell you that am deeply sorry for the absence likewise the whole essence is to serve you better, with practical solutions and real life experience in salon business. I have been busy working with people across the country by helping them setting up salon, building clientele, design marketing strategy and organizing trainings for stylist. I also engage in conducting research on how to run a successful salon business in current emerging market. The whole year had been working for the progress of who-to-be-the-next-salon-investors, so that the industry can move forward.
My next series of articles will  focus on: WHY MANY SALON DIE YOUNGER, SALON BUSINESS UNUSUAL, HOW TO TURN AROUND YOUR SALON FOR BETTER and many more. Infact, i can boldly says, you will enjoy the site better than before. I really appreciate those that send me mail, comments on twitter handle or whatsapp. You can be rest assure of the latest information you will read on this blog. Let share the business idea and grow your salon together.

Yours sincerely
Options_Barber.

3 THINGS YOU MUST UNDERSTAND BEFORE WRITING YOUR PROPOSAL

A salon proposal can be as simple as two pages words or voluminous as 100+ page. It does not mean that, it can win you that contract or persuade that investor. What is more important in your proposal, in which you must consider very well are: who's is the writer, who is the reader and what is the content of the proposal.

Who is the writer? This question include YOU, i mean YOU. There are three ways to get your proposal;
You can write it by yourself if you have the time and have knowledge of how to write proposal. With microsoft office package, you can achieve a well comprehensive proposal.

You can give the assignment to a professional to write for you. In this case a salon expert who's also business manager is adviceable because the terrain of salon industry is quite different from other sector. Therefore, you need someone that have clear understanding of the industry.
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Or you can purchase business plan software.I think www.bplan.co.uk offers more than 100 proposal cheapest software and easy to edit and modify into your taste.
Who is your reader? This is not only applicable to proposal but any form of writting. You must put your reader in mind. However, for your salon proposal, you must know the kind of person reading your business plan. Let consider few categories of people and how you can present it to them:
Bankers: you are interested in securing loan. They were interested in protecting their investment. Writing to this people, your proposal must be well researched, the content must involves graphs, tables, business analysis, balance sheet and every contents that indicate or show your proposal's potential to repay the loan. Your choice of writing style must be straight and active.

Family & Friends: these set of people is emotionally attached to you, hence your proposal must be package in a way that appeal to their emotional feelings.Most times,they are not interested in large figure of your proposed profit therefore, contents like graphs, tables, analysis ratio,etc may not neccessary. Your writing style should be passive and appealing. Note that your family or friend can also be a banker or financial expert, it is your duty to predict how S/he is going to review it; as a banker or as brother! Once you know this, you can blend the content to suit the reader.

Investor: These calibre of people are not solely interested in how beautiful or well document your proposal is, they look beyond that. Investor interest is to see his money growing over years therefore he need to examine your character, charisma and competency in handling the business. At this point, you must also be a good speaker in addition to being a good writer.You can present thesame proposal you wrote for bankers. Likewise be prepare to defend it. You do more of talking to this category of people.

What is the content? Your reader determines the content of your proposal. There is what it seems to be general format in writing proposal. The company summary, executive summary, mission and vission statement, Product and service summary, market survey and analysis, marketing and competive strategy etc. All these elements is differ from one proposal to another, so is the way and manner it is researched and written.

Now, you can see why your proposal is not convincing enough to win or woo the investor. Send us your proposal, let review it together.

IF I WERE YOU!

It's no more a news that, the rate of unemployment in Nigeria is towering high. Many youths are either jobless or underemployed.My recent encounter with a graduate of 10years still searching for vacancy raised a question in my mind; If this man is graduated as a barber or any skill technician, by now, he should be regarded as Master barber or pro at his work.This worrisome situation is not peculiar to this friend of mine, as many youth especially graduates become more jobless every day and, the conditions doesn't appears to be in end in years to come. Many think-tank groups postulated that massive vocational skill is the solution. Whether you believe or not, that is the remedy at hand.
To acquire technical skill is one thing, to be a successful manager at that skill is another. You must be cautious in choosing vocational skill.Dont allow your present predicament or zeal over-shadow your logical decision in choosing handiwork. These following questions will guide you in choosing right:
1.did I have passion for the handiwork?
2.Does my physical features,medical status,or religion belief qualifies me to do the work?
3. Does the business will continue to be relevant in the future?
4. After apprenticeship, how much do i need to start the trade?
5. can i get the best of the contemporary skill i needed?
Your "YES" or "NO" answers would tell you how your journey in the vocational training will be. However,
If barbering is your chioce handiwork, OPTIONS BARBER ACADEMY is established to equip you with contemporary technical skills and management experience to succeed in becoming Master barber, salon stylist, salon consultant or salon manager. click here: www.optionsbarbershop.worspress.com/barberacademy/

Get something doing with your hand today!......."àtélēwó eni, kòní tan ni jē"(yoruba adage).

SIMPLE STEPS ON HOW TO WRITE PROPOSAL FOR YOUR BUSINESS

Throughout last year, I received a lot of mails and comments asking me to teach them how to write detail proposal for barbering business. In the spirit of sharing, I decided to share the secret behind writing of comprehensive proposal that can woo your potential investor or sponsors. Before we get down for main discussion, let me tell you that, there is no format or writing style that guarantee proposal acceptance, but this simple guidelines can help you in writing comprehensive and acceptable business plan.

Company Name : choosing any name for your salon is simple but given right name is very very important. Whether you are using your own name or adopting another name, ensure that you observe the following hint
The name must be simple, sweetening to hear and easy to remember. I would suggest you make it one or two syllable word.For instance OPTIONS, STYLE ME.You can register the name with corporate affair commission. It makes your business looks professional.
Company logo : company logo is not compulsory but it helps in building your brand. There is no specific logo or type that performs wonder. All you need is to make your logo visible and speaks everything about your salon. Your logo must be true representation of what your company.In later write up, I will explain how to build a successful brand logo

Table of content: highlight all the content of your proposal in this page. Ensure that the content is arranged in a chronological order. It tells your reader a quick in-depth of your study about your salon.

Preamble: under this section, you will give general brief overview of salon business. it must contain every bit of what the entire proposal represent. The essence is that, sometimes your reader may not have time or impatient in reading everything at once. At this point, preamble speech comes to rescue.

Mission and vision statement: most people are confuse at this point, and difficult to draw line between the two. In a simple word, vision statement means “where am I going” while mission statement simply mean “how to get there”. Both statement must be clearly stated, well articulated and comprise both short and long term objectives.


Executive summary: you need to explain brief about the ownership of the business. is your salon is own solely by you or in partnership with others. In case of partnership, you must state clearly the individual equity percentage, partnership contract and deeds. After ownership structure, your next paragraph should be on management structure. How the salon is going to be operated, either by yourself as stylist and manger or you are employing people to manage each task


Product/services summary: tell your reader or investor the various services your salon will be rendering. Barbering salon, unisex salon, or salon with spa session, Each line of product must be well spell out.


Market summary and analysis: this section must be carried out with the assistance of professional barber or business consultant. The market summary explain the size of the market, the attractiveness of the market and how favourable for you to enter. For the analysis aspect, you will need sample data that can be process. The result must show the category of market segmentation, the income and spending pattern of each. This information will help you in setting standard of your salon as well as appropriate market price.


Demographic study: the study deal with population of the state or district in which you intend to open your salon. The data must contain present population figure and future projection according to reliable population commission or other agencies or companies that involve in data collection.


Location evaluation: in every business, location is a very key factor that must be seriously considered. For salon, look for a place that is densely populated around 5mile perimeter. The place should be easy to describe and locate.
Interior decoration: the interior of your salon must reflect the standard of your salon. From client’s seat to washing section, every interior material should represent your standard and professionalism. Ensure the place is well lightening with white bulb and wall paint should be reflective colour.

Salon layout: no matter the size of your shop, you need to do proper layout. Every section must be well position. The layout should enhance easy movement from one operation to another.
Competitive analysis and strategy: you must know your competitor and shouldn’t see them as enemy, rather as parameter to measure your own performance. Map out all salons in the 5 mile perimeter of your shop location. Shops that offer almost the same services as your salon are your real competitors. Your final research analysis should tell how you can survive the competitive threat. One of the strategic tool you can use is SWOT Analysis.


Marketing strategy and strategic toolkit: your proposal should explain the nature of the market, market attractiveness, market trend and growth. Once you determine all these, you can easily design strategic tools to enter the market and be successful.

Purchases and financial analysis: this section document the list of material inventory you purchase for your salon, as well as balance sheet.

Future projection: you should document your future projection. Where you want to see your salon in the next 5 years.

This simple steps will guides you in writing comprehensive and acceptable proposal for your business.

WHY DON'T YOU TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY

What are u planning for this New Year? Are u thinking of quitting your job that steal all your time and want to invest in something that gives you enough time and money? Or you're a graduate looking for vocational skill that can guarantee your future? Or you are like me, someone that love to invest in viable and sustainable business? Irrespective of your concern, i can feel your heart pulse and understand how you are feeling right now. Your adrenaline level is high, your brain works faster, your heartbeat double and yet you are scare of making that important decision. Let me be of help! Starting business is a serious business, and some people don’t have business in doing business. For you, coming this far shows that you already have the first basic thing you need; PASSION. But beyond passion comes every detail ideas, knowledge, skills, money, networking etc that you will need. These are all what you need to run a successful business. Does salon business cross your mind? Venturing into salon business can give you what you need; enough time to spend with love ones, appreciable stream of income, marketable skill you can take to anywhere in the world, and opportunity to make money as investor. In US salon industry generate 220,000 jobs with total worth of $2billion. This opportunity is here in Nigeria, lying fallow and yet to be explored. With 160 million population and average annual growth of 2.5%, salon industry will continue to grow and expand. Click this link to read what you need to know before making that decision http://barbingsalonbusiness.blogspot.com/2013/12/what-you-need-to-know-before-opening.html

10 Small Businesses of Next 10years

During late last year, the Nigeria government privatized power sector. The operation of the power generation and transmission unit was handed over to private investors. This is a sign of positive thing in power sector, that would materialize into stable power supply and perhaps, no more blackout by year 2024.The dynamic of business operations and business environment will significantly change,trailing along this path. Few Businesses will suffer or fizzle out unless if they innovate while many businesses will boom. I took my time to engage small business managers and economy analyst on business that will boom as power revolution in Nigeria boom.Here, is the list: 1.Sales of home appliances like fridge,Air conditioner, electric cooker. As the power stable, Nigerians will redesign their ways of life,better standard of living that relies on such technology. Therefore, as general purchase increases, level of consumption and utilization will surely increases exponentially. 2. Printing, publishing, and design business. Our social and religious life pattern guarantee expansion in this sector.Every wedding ceremony is flush with various printing souvenirs; jotter, customized wears, plastic, cartoon packs, calender to mention few. Similarly churches and Mosque programmes require posters,banners,calender, customized wears. Institutions, Government agencies,companies etc are improving their branding concept using products of printing & publishing companies. Thus, there is continue upsurge in demand. With power stability, operation cost will be reduced and more money for you as a printer. 3. Cyber cafe business. With about 50% total revenue expended on fuel and generator. Cyber cafe is pose to reap so much benefit from stable power supply.As the increase in internet user increases,combine with power stability, the more vibrant is this business in next decade. 4.Salon business. I can tell you more on how poor power supply is not only depleting the profit of many barber but also killing many salon and underpinning the development of the industry and its allied. As a barber, i can predict my fortune in the decade with stable power supply. 5. Football viewing center. Unarguably, every man in Nigeria is a football lover, either fans of National team or European football clubs. People will continue to patronize viewing centres to enjoy their beloved Messi and C. Ronaldo because not all of them can afford Dstv at home.I was once owner of viewing centre. Then, i could smile at the end of the month after expended heavily on generator repair,fuel, and even defunct PHCN bill. Ask any manager of viewing centre, "Power is killing us" is their ringing tone. Just imagine how fat your account would be,if all this problem is not there. 6.Sales of frozen food like turkey,chicken,fresh fish etc will experience bullish trend come next decade. Asides increase in revenue, stable power supply will help to cub wastage and spoilage of fresh food products. 7.Hotel and fast food businesses.you don't need business analyst or clairvoyant before you understand how stable power sector will transform present struggling hotel services sector to more lively and vibrant sector.People should watch out for more employment in this sector as electricity becomes stable in Nigeria. 8.Computer centre business. This category of business is directly related to electricity. More stable it becomes, the more improvement in the business. 9. Video Club business. 10. Iron and steel Weldering business. If you're thinking of learning vocational training, this technical work is not a bad choice to make. With current power problem, the business is striving, people are building more houses and executing construction work of various type, that makes them your potential customers now and the decades to come. There are many more businesses and sectors that is awaiting the positive result of privatization of power sector in Nigeria. Think of power stability, think of how you can tap into the opportunities.Also watch out for next article on 10 small business that will die in next 10 years only if............? For more info and consultancy advice on how to position yourself strategically, in order to become successful in business of next decades. Call 08064902464

How to Know Your Hair Orientation

SIMPLE WAY TO DETERMINE YOUR HAIR DIRECTION Naturally, undisturbed hair grows in the direction of its growing pattern. At this point, you can see clearly how each hair grains grow.One of the basic skill you must learn as a barber is how to understand this hair direction and cut along the pattern. In barber academy, cutting haircut that necesitate you cutting along the direction is a way to examining your competency is the basic training you get. The importance of cutting along hair orientation, is that it ensure even smoothness of cropped hair. Hair at the crown looks exactly the same with other part of the head. However, when you brush hair with hard brush, the hair prostrate in its natural direction, looks well align and smooth. And in case the direction is differ from the direction of movement of the hair brush, the hair looks rough and maybe roll-up instead to prostrate. This method is use for short hair. For long hair, the hair direction is not clearly visible therefore less consideration is given to it when cutting long hairstyles.

Does your Barber Understand your Hair Language

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What You Need to Know before Opening Your Barbering Salon Business

Many barbering salons failed right from the grand opening day, and few that survive the first day hurdle usually run out of business prematurely or continue to struggle to stamp their feet. Have you ever asked WHY? I congratulate you for reading this article written by a Master Barber of repute skills and experience, and who is ready to walk the journey of your dream salon business with you. I was prompt to write this article when a friend of mine referred someone to me for professional advice. The guy has just venture into the business, and having spent so much to ensure everything is in order. Almost a year now, the salon is given him sleepless night, as new rent fee is about to be paid. To cut the story short, the guy left my salon that day with something I call; little things that count. It is because I like thing to be simple and easy to comprehend. Hence, everything about this blog is SIMPLE and this one seems not different. Here are the simple questions I must ask you before setting up your salon. Let start with these three questions that can determine your success or failure: Are you a professional barber? Your singly ability to cut hair only makes you a barber, not a professional barber. You are regarded as a pro, only if you understand how to cut different hairstyle with different cutting techniques, perform hair care and hair treatment, possess customer relation skill, and management skills. All these quality makes you a professional barber and you can acquire these, in less than 3 months if you are trained with a professional barber (click here www.optionsbarbershop.wordpress.com/barberacademy) In case, you are not a barber and want to invest in salon business. My candid advice is for you to go for the salon management course, so as to have idea of where you want to put your money and perhaps, if your stylist "fuck up”, your mind can be at ease. How much do you have? The amount of money you want to invest will determined the category of salon you will established. Basically in Nigeria, we have three categories of salon; Low Class, Medium Class and High Level Class. Your category is going to determine market segmentation, target customer, salon location, and/or services offer. If you can tell us how much you have, we are ready to work with you in achieving better use. NO AMOUNT IS TOO SMALL OR TOO BIG. Who is your consultant? One of the greatest mistakes that responsible for failure of many salons is failure to consult rightful consultant. “Who is best to trust your gold than blacksmith”.....Richest man in the Babylon. Who is best to give you an advice than professional barber. Get a professional barber who doubles as consultant to guide you. You can save yourself a lot of money for an advice you can get at price of bottle of coke. Many people see themselves as consultant, and that mistake cause them many bucks. Whether you are starting small or big, you need a consultant. You can even find one, FREE!!!. Your consultant will guide you in writing your business plan, and also provides counseling and guidance as you start your salon. ( subscribe to this article and receive next post on What should be the content of your barbering salon proposal). Every journey requires proper preparation to be successful. Hope this article prepares you better, for your adventure in salon business. Welcome to money spinning business!