A Few Things of Note

The newest post is always on top. If you missed a post, click under the "Archives" heading in the lefthand column. Your comments are welcome, but they are moderated. Just click on the "Feedback" link under the post you want to talk about. If you want to ask Robbie a question, just e-mail him using the "Ask Robbie" link in the righthand column. He'll answer your question via the blog.

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New salon owner Robbie Schaeffer uses this space to blog about his experiences during his first year, from finding a location to hiring staff. Check back here weekly to read about — and comment on — his quest to open his first salon. He'll share his accomplishments and his frustrations with you. From the pre-planning stages to the grand opening, follow him on this exciting journey.

Q & A: Start-Up Costs

I am very excited for all of you at ROBB|B! I want to open my own nail salon and am wondering: what are the general start up costs?
Y.J.
 
Hi Y.J.,
Thanks so much for following along on the ROB|B journey. As far as start-up costs go, a lot depends on what kind of salon you’re opening — low-, medium-, or high-end. Plus, it depends on your location and your rent. There are a lot of other factors too.
 
I know that NAILS Magazine sells a “Salon Start-Up Guide” that includes a worksheet you can fill in to estimate your monthly expenses and start-up costs. I’d direct you there.
 
Regards,
Robbie
co-owner

posted @ Tuesday, November 04, 2008 12:09 PM | Feedback (0)

Sweet Success (Mostly)

Our first few weeks have been amazing. On Friday, we got a huge plug in Daily Candy, and we really blew up after that. We were booked solid Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Best of all, most of the callers were Studio City-area residents, so it’s helping us establish a return clientele.
 
Fox 11 News came to the salon this week, and Studio City Lifestyle Magazine is planning a feature article, plus we’re doing some advertising with them. We also have an InStyle magazine reader party booked here. Harris Shephard Public Relations is handling our PR.
 
I’m also excited to say we had our first A-list celebrity client. I don’t want to compromise her privacy by naming her, but I’m thrilled that she liked her salon experience so much that she booked a four-person spa party for late November.
 
Other than that, we’re still tweaking the building. We’ve added some lighting here and there; we’re planning on adding a gate to the back. One big challenge was that one of the car lifts exploded; I came out to find hydraulic fluid spilling out all over my car. We’re still waiting on a replacement part for that. (The car is OK.) We’ve done a pretty good job with scheduling, and we’ve refined our hours a little bit, lengthening and shortening them on different days based on demand.

posted @ Tuesday, October 28, 2008 5:27 PM | Feedback (0)

Open for Business

Despite some last-minute fixes (like redoing the ceiling paint two days ago after it was showing signs of wear), our soft opening today was a success. We had 32 booked appointments, and Dan, Nadine, and I were all there to smooth out any issues that came up. My dad came in in the morning and said the salon looked great. Salon STX representatives came in just in case we had any problems with the computer system, and the fragrance line we’re carrying, Terri Michele Fragrances, came in today and was placed onto our shelves.
 
Here are some photos from opening day:
 
"Now Open,” much better than “Coming Soon”
 
Waiting Area
 
Manicure Station
 
Client coordinator Toni Ciaravino with our Client Profile forms
 
Nail Bar
 
We’re all so thrilled. You can see more photos in the “Soft Opening Photo Gallery”.

posted @ Friday, October 10, 2008 4:44 PM | Feedback (2)

We’re Taking Appointments!

ROB|B will be officially open to the public on Friday, October 10. This soft opening date is set in stone. We’ve even already made a few appointments for that day. We’d be so happy to take even more. For anyone who’s interested in coming in for a service, please just call the salon at (818) 980-7622.
 
I can’t believe the waiting game is almost over. This is so huge. Thanks so much for following us the whole way (I’ll still be posting as least through our grand opening, which will be in the next few months.) You can check out the latest salon photos here. Please come by and see us.

posted @ Wednesday, October 01, 2008 1:26 PM | Feedback (1)

Q & A: Manicure and Pedicure Areas

Shouldn’t the pedicure stations be close to where the manicures are being done (so the person doesn’t have to walk all the way across the room)?
Neha
 
Hi Neha,
 
The blueprint you were looking at may have been a little confusing (and a little out of date too, since we had to make so many tweaks), but in reality, the pedicure and manicure stations are right next to each other. Plus, each station is equipped to do pedicures with a portable FootsieBath spa. Also, the European Touch Murano spa chairs have pop-out arms to allow for simultaneous pedicures and manicures.
 
Regards,
Robbie
co-owner

posted @ Friday, September 26, 2008 4:31 PM | Feedback (0)

Finishing Touches

We passed the sprinkler inspection; our elevator inspection is on Monday. (We’ve already fixed the circuit board that blew out.) The salon was originally scheduled to get gas today, but the plumber installed a pipe incorrectly and it has to be moved, so now we should get gas and hot water on Monday.
 
Salon STX is up and running. We’re now inputting all of the salon’s inventory, setting up our retail displays, and just getting the products up and out. One product we’ll be carrying is Elixr Tonics. These blends can be mixed with sparkling or flat water to create a refreshing, healthy beverage. We’ll be offering this as a drink during all of our services.
 
I’m really excited about some artwork that’s on order and should arrive in November all the way from Switzerland. It’s actually a gift from my dad to the salon. It’s by an artist named Nicole Hassler, who does artwork using actual OPI lacquer and brushes. (She approached my dad at a tradeshow in Europe). My dad is going to be her U.S. distributor.
 
Also, we have a soft opening date: Oct. 10.

posted @ Friday, September 19, 2008 3:13 PM | Feedback (1)

Powering On

I’m thrilled to say we finally have power. Everything is working, from the air conditioning to the computers to the TVs. Tomorrow, the Salon STX representative will be at the salon get the software network working.
 
The new issue is that we have to add more sprinklers, including, apparently, in the shower. (I know — it didn’t make sense to me either.) We had to take down a larger awning on the second floor in order to fit in more sprinklers. It’s been so difficult to meet all of the city’s requirements.
 
On the upside, Murad skin care training happened this week. And today, we had a reflexology class for all of the nail techs and estheticians, so we’ll be able to offer that service.
 
The elevator inspector can’t come until September 19 at the earliest, but I guess that’s a good thing because the circuit board blew out on the elevator, so we need to get that fixed first. The fire and sprinkler inspector will be at the salon this week; after we pass those inspections, we’ll be able to get gas and hot water.

posted @ Wednesday, September 10, 2008 5:04 PM | Feedback (0)

Waiting for (a Higher?) Power

We used a crane to hoist furniture onto the second floor. It took about two hours. Days later, we STILL don’t have power, and I don’t know when we will. The city ran out of electricity meters. According to the department supervisor, in the 20 years he’s been working for the city, they’ve never run out. This is just my luck.
 
I’ve been keeping myself busy dealing with the building. The computer system is going in now, and I’m trying to find an Internet provider. (The phone companies in the area don’t offer it.)
 
We’ve been training our employees every week. They’re very good at their (upcoming) jobs. The downside is that I’ve obviously started paying them already, even though we won’t have any clients for a while.
 
Once the meter is installed, the salon can pass the final city inspection; things like the elevator and AC won’t work with the temporary power that’s set up right now. I have to wait until the salon is totally connected to the city.

posted @ Monday, August 18, 2008 11:32 AM | Feedback (0)

Frustration Builds

The salon still doesn’t have power. For some reason, it took over four weeks for the salon to pass the major electrical inspection, and now we still have to wait for the city to install the meter. (I guess we should be thankful the earthquake earlier this week wasn’t any larger or we’d really be the bottom of the list.) Even after we get the meter, we still have to pass the final city inspection before we can open our doors.
 
If we don’t get power by next Wednesday, I’ve scheduled a crane to arrive and hoist everything (pedicure chairs, etc.) up to the second floor. That’s how desperate we’re getting.
 
We’re 98% there with the first floor. Our team is doing finish work, and touching up everything over the last few days.
 
I don’t know how long the final inspection will take, so we probably won’t open until September. For any of you out there who’re thinking of opening your own salons, I recommend NOT creating your building from scratch. Most salons go into a ready space and just do basic tenant improvements, which would have been a lot faster, easier, and cheaper. I tried to go to the extreme and build a spectacular, environmentally-friendly building, and this is what I get.

posted @ Thursday, July 31, 2008 3:59 PM | Feedback (0)

Vandalism, Seriously?!

Over the weekend the salon was vandalized. Someone(s) tried to steel the electrical panel in the back. They didn’t succeed in ripping it completely out, but they opened it up and ripped out all the copper. (Copper theft is a big problem on construction sites.) I think the damage is covered under the contractor’s insurance, but it’s pushed us back (again), although we were still a week away from getting the meters anyway. It’s very frustrating.
 
The vandals also managed to cut the phone line in half when they were trying to get to the breaker, so I’ve put in an order to have the phone line repaired.
 
On the plus side, the DirectTV has been installed and the alarm and camera equipment are in place and working now. Water’s running in all the faucets, and later this week all of the furniture pieces that needed fixing are coming back to the salon repaired. Training is going well; the staff is refining their skills and getting better every day.
 
The last things we need are power, and the touch-ups on the paint and plaster work (which start this week). By the end of the month, we’ll be operational. It’s tough.

posted @ Wednesday, July 09, 2008 3:43 PM | Feedback (0)
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