How To Set Up A Standard Barbing Salon In Nigeria

Setting up a standard barbing salon (barbershop) in Nigeria requires careful planning, attention to detail, and a dedication to giving great service to customers. 

This comprehensive guide will walk you through the steps you need to take to open a successful barbing salon in Nigeria, focusing on important things to think about, legal requirements, and the required equipment needed to be successful in the business of haircuts.

Also read: Top 10 Businesses You Can Start with 1 Million Naira in Nigeria

How To Set Up A Standard Barbing Salon?

It is profitable to open a barbershop in Nigeria. If you plan well, you can be very successful.

Let’s go through how to set up a standard barbing salon in Nigeria

Research and Planning

Before setting up your barbing salon, it’s fundamental to conduct market research and create a business plan. Identify your target audience, assess the competition, and determine the services you will give.

Market Research

• Identify your target audience:  Will you focus on specific services like haircuts, shaving, or hair styling? Who are your potential customers? Are you going after students, working professionals, or a certain age group? 
• Evaluate the competition: How many other barbershops are in the area? What services do they offer? What are their pros and cons?

Business Plan

• Write down the goal and vision of your business.
• Set specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals
• Make a budget and predictions about your money.
• Plan your marketing.

Legal and Licensing Requirements

Registration

• Register your business with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC)
• Obtain a business name and registration number

Licenses and Permits

• Get a permit from the local government authority

Taxes

• Obtain a Tax Identification Number (TIN)

Equipment and Supplies

Essential tools and materials for a standard barbershop are:

Furniture and Fixtures

• Barber chairs
• Mirrors
• Tables and chairs for clients
• Shelves for equipment and supplies

Haircutting and Styling Equipment

• Hair clippers
• Scissors
• Combs
• Brushes
• Hair dryers

Shaving Equipment

• Razors
• Shaving cream
• Aftershave lotion
• Shaving brushes

Sanitation and Hygiene Equipment

• Disinfectants
• Sanitizers
• Gloves
• Masks

Staffing and Training

Your barbers are the key to the barbing salon business, if you have good barbers, the likelihood of customers always coming back to patronize you would be high.

Skilled Barbers: Recruit barbers with experience and expertise in various styles and techniques. Consider offering competitive salaries and opportunities for professional development.

Apprenticeship Programs: Develop apprenticeship programs to train and mentor aspiring barbers, fostering a pipeline of talent for your salon.

Customer Service Training: Train your barbers on excellent customer service, ensuring they are friendly, professional, and attentive to customer needs.

Haircutting and Styling Techniques

• Fades
• Pompadours
• Undercuts
• Hair coloring and styling

Shaving Techniques

• Wet shaving
• Dry shaving
• Shaving with a straight razor

Sanitation and Hygiene Practices

• Disinfecting equipment
• Sanitizing the salon
• Personal hygiene practices

Marketing and Promotion

Develop a marketing strategy to attract and retain clients, including:

• Social Media Marketing
• Facebook
• Instagram
• Twitter

Referral Programs

• Offer incentives for referrals
• Encourage client loyalty

How Much Does It Cost To Set Up A Barbing Salon In Nigeria?

The cost of setting up a barbing salon in Nigeria will depend on how big you want the barbershop to be, and how many barber stands you want to have at a time.

For example, the cost of having only one barbing stand is different from the cost of having up to 6 barbing stands in your salon, because the more barbing stands you have, the more you will spend on equipment and manpower.

 Let’s take the cost of an average barbing solon two barbing stands

Rent: Depending on the location, the rent can range from ₦250,000 to ₦500,000 Shop Equipment:

• Plasma TV (tokunbo): ₦50,000
• Home theater (used): ₦50,000
• Wall shelve and mirrors: ₦100,000

Total: ₦450,000

Barbing Accessories:

New 4pairs of clippers ₦100,000

Sterilizing machine: ₦40,000

Cover cloth (4pairs): ₦10,000

Shaving powder: ₦3,000

White powder: ₦2,000

After shave: ₦3,000

Buckets (2 small): ₦1,000

Water heater/electric jug: ₦10,000

Small towels (5pcs): ₦10,000

Hair spray: ₦3,000

Hair cream: ₦3,000

Face brush (4pairs): ₦2,000

Brush (4pairs): ₦3,000

Total: ₦ 190,000

Furniture:

Sliding glass: ₦80,000

2pairs of a seater chair (barber chair) ₦60,000

3 seater chair for customers: ₦80,000

Wall glass stand: ₦40,000

Total: ₦ 260,000

Other costs:

Average size Generator: ₦200,000

Fans: 50,000

Painting with workmanship: ₦30,000

Wiring/lighting with bright LED light: ₦20,000

Tilling the floor (using broken tiles with workmanship): ₦50,000

Barbers’ Association Registration Fee in Nigeria:

 You should register your salon with the barbers association, the registration fees depend on the state you operate, it range from ₦30,000 to ₦50,00.

Total: ₦350,000

Overall Total: ₦1,250,000

Please note that these estimates may vary depending on your location and personal preferences.

From the above analysis, you can see that we roughly estimated ₦1,250,000 for a barbing salon with two stands only.

If you want to open a barbing salon with one barbing stand the price will be reduced because you will only need to buy one barber chair and 2 clippers.

Is Owning A Barber Shop Profitable In Nigeria?

In Nigeria, you can make money by owning a barbershop if you find the right location and run and oversee the business well.

Some experienced barbing salon owners said that paying barbers on commission would encourage them to work harder, while others said that the lack of professional barbers could lead to the fall of the business.

Owning a barber shop in Nigeria has the potential to be profitable if you follow the right approach to doing the business.

There are some things you should take into consideration which are:

High Demand: Hair constantly grows, so there’s a consistent need for haircuts, making it a non-seasonal business.

Large Customer Base: Men, women, and children all need haircuts, offering a broad potential customer pool.

However, for profitability, you’ll need to have a good plan.

• Competition: Barber shops are common in Nigeria, so you’ll need to find ways to stand out.
• Location: Choosing a high-traffic area with good visibility is crucial.
• Customer Service: Providing a clean, comfortable environment and friendly service will keep customers coming back.
• Skilled Barbers: Having barbers who are talented and keep up with current styles is essential.
• Pricing Strategy: Balancing competitive prices with making a profit is important.
• Management: Careful expense control and marketing efforts are needed for success.

What Makes A Standard Barbing Salon?

The following things are usually found in a standard barbing salon:

Clean and Hygienic Environment:

A place that is well-kept and clean, with good hygiene and sanitation practices.

Professional Barbers: Professional barbers are trained and skilled professionals who know how to cut hair and style it in different ways.

Stylish equipment:

Modern equipment like hair dryers, rechargeable clippers, scissors, and razors.

Comfortable Seating:

Customers can sit in clean, cozy chairs while they wait for service.

 Services Offered:

There are many services available, such as haircuts, shaving, trimming, styling, and cleaning.

Good Lighting:

Barbers need enough light to be able to see clearly while they work.

Music and entertainment:

A TV or music system to make the room feel calm.

Sterilization and Disinfection:

Making sure that tools and equipment are cleaned and germ-free the right way.

Good Customer Service:

The staff is friendly and helpful, and they give great customer service.

Online Presence:

A website, social media accounts, or a way to book appointments online to get people and keep them interested.

Licensing and Certification:

Compliance with relevant regulations and industry standards.

With these qualities, a barbershop can build a name for quality and professionalism, which will help them attract and retain customers.

Conclusion on: How To Set Up A Standard Barbing Salon In Nigeria

By adhering to these guidelines on how to set up a standard barbing salon in Nigeria and remaining current with the latest trends in the business, you will be able to build a barbershop in Nigeria that is successful and lucrative.

Establishing a standard barbershop in Nigeria needs careful preparation, attention to detail, and a commitment to offering exceptional services to customers.