We got a chance to chat with Charlotte Murray who set up a unique hairdressing salon. It’s not all about setting up 
online businesses you know…
What made you start your business?
Hair is my passion and making people look and feel great. I wanted to offer a service that was hard to find anywhere else. Excellent hairdressing and service, great surroundings and creating a true community feel. I wanted to stretch myself and do something really challenging. Boy, did I do that!!
Previously I was self employed as a session hairdresser, working with many celebrities. My work was unpredictable and sporadic, but I was used to it. I knew I needed to create more of a future so having my own salon felt like the right step.
Working alone doesn’t create enough opportunities- even though I am extremely motivated. I want to have a successful and enviable brand with a product range, school and more shops. I have been excited to find that even though I didn’t do very well at school (other things got in the way!!) I really do have a good mind. The last 6 years have been like doing a degree in business with no coaching! I am growing every day though.
Have you always been entrepreneurial, even when you were young?
Yes I was always doing friends hair/ makeup/ piercing them and shaping their eyebrows from age 12 in exchange for favours like music. I have always been really interested in “the next thing out there”.
How much effort did you put into launching the business?
I wanted to have an air of mystery about the salon so curious like minded people would be interested. Looking back I might have made more of a song and dance but budgets didn’t really allow it. I would have invited more local business people in to come and check the salon out. We submitted fabulous pictures of the salon to magazines- some consumer but mostly industry. I would have pushed the consumer side more with hindsight as these are your clients- industry is your competition!!
Did you need money to start the business or were you able to boot strap?
We borrowed money against our house. My husband and I have been freelance for 20 years so are used to living hand to mouth. That has helped as renting a property for the business is costly in London. However much you borrow it never feels enough but keep a cap on your borrowing to give yourself a chance of paying it off. {AF template=round_quotes} Be imaginative and frugal and allow the cash flow to build up as much as possible to give you a buffer in tougher times. {/AF} I have always swapped favours for favours with other business people and do all my own marketing. It is hard but rewarding. It helps you to focus on where you are going and the vibe you want to put out there. Spend your money on things that REALLY do it for you and your business rather than just spending willy nilly on stuff that isn’t going to do anything for you. Be really picky and always get the best deal.
How important is a long term vision of your business?
Doing a 3 year business plan is really helpful. You need a vision which can always change. I need to redo my plan! I applied to Dragons Den and re wrote the form 48 times! It really focused me as to the WHY’S and WHEREFORES. It made me think very deeply about the ins and outs of my business idea. I had a phone interview and they invited me to come and present a 2 minute pitch at the BBC. Wow that was exhilarating!!
I didn’t get through thank goodness as I realized I really hadn’t thought through how much money I really needed to make the business happen to the standard I wanted. {AF template=round_quotes} The effort in the start up of your journey is paramount. I cannot emphasise this enough! Without preparation you will miss out on luck that comes your way as you will not be ready to accept it. So give yourself a great start and prepare. {/AF} Things will always change along the way but having a vision is everything.
Why should students start a business right now?
If you have passion why not! You can start small while doing another job or studying and watch it grow. Less risk and you can learn your mistakes before going solo. Come and see me in my salon for a chat and a coffee to talk ideas.
Check out her website at http://www.charlottemurray.co.uk/