In this post, I will show you how to start your own barbershop studio in less than $1000. This guide will include the logistics, finances, marketing, and operations of running a barbershop studio. As a university student, entrepreneur, family man, and barber, I can definitely understand how important it is to keep my finances in check while pursuing my dream of running my own barbershop one day. As a result, I have designed this guide and provided a price breakdown of everything to show just how easy it is to get started with running your very own barbershop studio
Find Your Space - Price: $0
First things first, we can't start a barbershop studio without a space. I highly recommend a space that is easy to access, comfortable for you and your clients, and something that won't cost you anything extra. I recommend setting up a space in your garage, basement, backyard, shed, or even an unused room in your house/apartment. If you are tight on space, you can always find a space where you can set up a temporary station for when your clients come and then clean up after they leave and store your temporary station away somewhere until your next cut. This can be somewhere like a living room, or outside on your front yard etc. Sometimes I will see people set up a station in their bathrooms, however, I highly do not recommend doing this as it may drive many clients away and it just isn't a good idea for many reasons. The key here is to save money but also create a space our clients will be comfortable in. 
Investing in your equipment is very important and while certain equipment might seem pricy, you have to remember you are investing your business and these are tools that you will use regularly so investing in high quality equipment will make your life easier. If you are on a tight budget, there are many decent sets you can find on amazon for just under $100. This set on Amazon includes a barber cape, trimmer, clippers and clipper oil for around $90 (tax included) and then you can complete the set by buying a foil shaver from amazon for around $50-$60. However, if you want high quality equipment, I would recommend buying from Wahl, BaByliss, StyleCraft, Gamma, and JRL. The main 3 machines to consider from these companies are clippers, trimmer, and a foil shaver. Buying all 3 of these machines can run you anywhere between $250-$350, however, you can mix and match certain machines from different companies, I highly recommend checking out Barber Supplies Canada as they offer all these machines in one store.
Next you will need to purchase your scissors, straight blade, cape, and neck duster. I recommend browsing on amazon for these as they have great deals and often sell scissors, straight blades, and hair comb together as a set which will run you anywhere between $20-$50. For the barber cape and neck duster, you can find these in a deal together for anywhere between $10-20, however, this deal on amazon includes a cape, neck duster, and neck strips for $17 (tax included). Lastly for equipment, I recommend purchasing a continuous water spray bottle which will cost you around $9-$15. This will help make things easier when trimming the clients hair with scissors.
All in all, if you want to save more money you can always explore used products on Facebook Marketplace or at a thrift store. The possibilities for saving money on equipment are endless, you decide what makes the most sense for you!
(Click the image to see more barber related equipment for a great price from Barber Depots!)
Investing in an environment that your clients will be comfortable in is key for success. I recommend purchasing a decently long table, a mirror, a ring light (or two), a barber/salon chair, a shop vacuum and broom. For the long table, anything will do, however, I recommend at least a 5ft long table as it will provide you enough space to lay out your equipment. This will cost you roughly between $60-$90, however, you can always find used ones anywhere from $0 to $50. For the mirror it depends on your preference if you want a smaller size mirror to hang up or a full body mirror large enough to just place on the ground and against a wall, your range will be anywhere between $50-$100. for the ring light I recommend buying an 18 inch one from amazon as you can find some for $100 (tax included) if you really want, you can spend another $100 and add another one to take your studio's lighting to the next level.
For the barber/salon chair, I really would not recommend buying a new one as it can be very costly and they tend to depreciate in value relatively quickly. I would just recommend scoping out the used market and even thrift stores! you will be looking at around $50-$120 for a chair and that's reasonable, I bought my first salon chair from a thrift store for only $50! Lastly, I recommend getting a shop vacuum and broom to help you keep your space clean. I bought my first shop vacuum for $30 on marketplace and got a broom for $4 from the dollar store. Although if you want to take it up a notch, you can always buy a new shop vacuum from Walmart for roughly $60 (tax included). Remember, there are always ways to save money by browsing used options as well!
Lastly, I recommend buying some necessary products to help keep everything sanitized as well as some products to use on your clients' hair! For sanitary products I recommend buying alcohol, barbicide, and after shave. You can buy a bottle 70% sanitary alcohol which will last you for a while from the dollar store for $4. You can invest in a barbicide jar with solution to help disinfect your equipment at the end of your day. This will cost you around $25-$30 but it is very important for sanitary purposes. Lastly, you can find after shave for around $10 on amazon or other stores online and retail, I highly recommend using after shave after each haircut on your clients as it reduces any chance of infections from the blades.
For hair products, I recommend investing in at least either sea salt spray/powder, curl cream, or both! It is good to have products on your station to use on clients as it gives that final 'lavish' touch for the social media posts! investing in a good curl cream or sea salt spray will cost you around $15-$30 and it will be highly appreciated by your clients!
And just like that you are ready to start your very own barbershop studio business in less than $1000! I hope this guide has helped you get an idea of how to get started on your own barbershop studio! If you are still confused and have some questions, comments, or concerns please feel free to reach out through our contact page and send us any inquiries regarding price breakdowns, products, details, etc. and we will try our best to get back to you as soon as possible!
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