Friday, May 16, 2008
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Opening a barbershop or even a salon can be a challenging job. There are many rules and regulations governing the industry usually set by the state boards and by the city codes and ordinances. Many cities have barbering educators who are licensed to teach in their shop or school and who have a wealth of knowledge of what’s required in your city to be able to run a violation free shop. They typically love the business and love talking about it. If you can seek out their support you will have an advantage in getting started.
Requirements for Starting a Beauty Salon/Barber Shop
Now lets talk about learning the old fashion way and researching it yourself by reading the rules and regulations. The best sources for finding information regarding specific requirements is from your State Boards or Regulatory Commission. But you still have to deal with your city or town building and occupancy codes to get a “C of O” approval (Certificate of Occupancy). We have compiled an alphabetical list by States and their web addresses related to the regulation of barbering and cosmetology.
Remember each state requires different things but some important safety items have been a Sharps Container (used razor blade disposal), certificates / licenses displayed and have on file a MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) for every chemical you use. Below are some of the general items from an equipment standpoint.
Lets start with the Basics or MUST have items:
• A shampoo sink / chair combo with hot and cold running water
• A styling chair, all purpose chair or barber chair, one per person
• One hand held or hood dryer with or without the chair
• One work station (wall mount, stationary), per person
• A disinfectant container with disinfectant or sterilizing solution
• Seating accommodations in reception area
• Cabinet for clean towels and supplies
• A receptacle for used towels
• Reception Desk
• Floor Mats
• Child Booster Seat
The best places to get the information you need on the equipment requirements for a Salon or Barbershop in your local Chamber of Commerce and your state board.
The following links are to all of the State Boards:
Alabama www.aboc.state.al.us
Alaska www.commerce.state.ak.us/occ/pbah.htm
Arizona www.cosmetology.state.az.us
Arkansas www.arkansas.gov/cos
California www.barbercosmo.ca.gov
Colorado www.dora.state.co.us/barbers_cosmetologists
Connecticut www.ct-clic.com
Delaware www.dpr.delaware.gov/boards/cosmetology/index.shtml
District of Columbia www.asisvcs.com/indhome_fs.asp?CPCAT=2009STATEREG
Florida www.myflorida.com/dbpr/pro/cosmo/cos_index.shtml
Georgia www.sos.georgia.gov/plb/cosmetology/default.htm
Hawaii www.hawaii.gov/dcca/areas/pvl/boards/barber
Idaho www.adm.idaho.gov
Illinois www.idfpr.com/dpr/WHO/cosmo.asp
Indiana www.in.gov/pla/2302.htm
Iowa www.idph.state.ia.us/licensure/board_home.asp?board=cos
Kansas www.kansas.gov/kboc
Kentucky www.kbhc.ky.gov/schools.htm
Louisiana www.lsbc.louisiana.gov
Maine www.maine.gov/pfr/professionallicensing/professions/barbers/index.htm
Maryland www.dllr.state.md.us/license/occprof/cos.html
Massachusetts www.mass.gov/dpl/boards/hd/index.htm
Michigan www.michigan.gov/cosmetology
Minnesota www.bceboard.state.mn.us
Mississippi www.msbc.state.ms.us
Missouri www.pr.mo.gov/cosbar.asp
Montana www.mt.gov/dli/bsd/license/bsd_boards/cos_board/contacts.asp
Nebraska www.hhs.state.ne.us/crl/mhcs/cosindex.htm
Nevada www.cosmetology.nv.gov
New Hampshire www.nh.gov.cosmet
New Jersey www.state.nj.us/lps/ca/nonmedical/coshair.htm
New Mexico www.rld.state.nm.us/barber_cosmo/index.html
New York http://www.dos.state.ny.us/lcns/professions/barber/barber.html
North Carolina www.cosmetology.state.nc.us
North Dakota http://www.nd.gov/sos/licensing
Ohio www.cos.ohio.gov
Oklahoma www.cosmo.state.ok.us
Oregon http://www.oregon.gov/OHLA/COS/index.shtml
Pennsylvania www.dos.state.pa.us/bpoa/cwp/view.asp?a=1104&q=432561
Rhode Island www.health.ri.gov/hsr/professions/hair_barb.php
South Carolina www.llr.state.sc.us/POL/cosmetology
South Dakota www.state.sd.us/dol/boards/cos
Tennessee www.state.tn.us/commerce/boards/cosmo/index.html
Texas www.state.tx.us/category.jsp?categoryId=9.3
Utah www.business.utah.gov/business//starting.html
Vermont www.vtprofessionals.org/opr1/cosmetologists
Virginia http://www.dpor.virginia.gov/dporweb/bnc_main.cfm
Washington www.dol.wa.gov/business/cosmetology/lawsrules.html
West Virgina www.wvdhhr.org/wvbc
Wisconsin www.drl.wi.gov/boards/bac
Wyoming www.cosmetology.state.wy.us
Updated 5/16/08
Thursday, April 10, 2008
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Here is an email I’ve received from one of my customers who is confused about all the different salon shampoo washing systems and shampoo bowl designs available on the market.
“I’m opening a new beauty salon and I really love all the new style beauty salon shampoo stations, but I can’t find the design style information anywhere. I have many questions. What salon shampoo washing system style is the best to buy? Should I stick with the traditional salon shampoo bowl design or the new stylish Euro style shampoo bowls? I’m used to the old fashion beauty salon all-purpose styling chair with a sink. What are the pros and cons of buying each different style? Are some more comfortable than others? Do certain models provide for better water management? Is there anyone who can steer me in the right direction?”
First of all I’d like to say that I love these new Euro-style freestanding shampoo backwash units. The quality and styling of the fiberglass base units combined with the tilting porcelain bowls have created fantastic designs. That said, lets talk about the age-old question that I get asked all the time:
What shampoo bowl should I buy?
What I tell people is buy the one that will make your salon stand out from all the rest if that’s the fashion statement that you want to make! But be aware of the design pros and cons.
Lets talk about the basics of shampoo equipment like water management (water/gravity) and customer comfort. I like to break it down into three styles of shampoo sink design each with their distinct advantages and disadvantages.
1) An Asian style horizontal laying shampoo unit puts 100% of the head and 100% of the water in the bowl with gravity working for you 100%. But speaking from experience, they always seem to be difficult to lay down on (kind of like a big table) and uncomfortable for clients. This shampoo unit probably has the best water management system but not a very big seller, because of the huge lack of customer comfort.
2) So let’s talk about the old fashion American beauty salon with their wall mount shampoo sink. Well think about it, the client is on 45 degrees with the gravity of their head hanging into the sink and the stylist washing from the side. This means lets say 45% of the water with the help of gravity is working with you for water management. But it’s unfortunate that the client’s head is hanging in the bowl or you are holding it. Plus you are forced to stand toward the front side of the shampoo bowl typically wedged against the wall. This causes back strain for the stylist and head strain for the client, but your water management isn’t too bad because the sink is rather large and gravity is somewhat working for you.
3) Now that takes us to the newer Euro style tilting shampoo bowl with more of a sit-up style all in one shampoo unit. These Euro designs are quite comfortable! Basically it’s like, sitting in a chair and this makes your client more at ease plus easier to manage when shampooing. The typical freestanding backwash shampoo unit has quite a few ergonomic advantages for the stylists. First, you can wash hair standing in the rear of the bowl or from either side. This allows the back to remain straight and utilization of both hands can be equal. The bowl will tilt (most units) into the head and shoulders compensating for different heights. Some of these bowls have a tendency of being smaller in diameter so you are closer to your client, which is important for some of the smaller stylist. Most of the bowls have typically a deep neck recess with longer side neck extensions to collect water. This will help your water management with the longer neck extensions since gravity is not working in your favor with this style unit. You will need adequate water pressure but not excessive in combination with good working habits to manage your water around the client. Although, gravity is slightly more of a concern with this style, the advantages of the Euro-style shampoo bowls far outweigh the slight differences from the traditional shampoo units.
To sum it all up, the American market typically trends toward the standard wall mount shampoo bowl (ex. 2) if you don’t have a lot of space and are on a limited budget. But the newer Euro-style shampoo bowls offer huge variety, ergonomic comfort, and provide very economical choices. Plus the fashion statements you can design into your salon are absolutely endless. To be able to offer these Euro-style shampoo systems with porcelain bowls, complete with all the plumbing fixtures installed and a stylish fiberglass non-rusting base at these economics prices is very exciting for us here at Keller International. Check out our various models at Keller International Shampoo Systems.
When updating salon equipment or starting a new business you have to decide which financing option is best for you. Depending on your budget, you have a decision to make; do I lease of finance my new salon equipment? Here at Keller International we get asked all the time about the pros and cons of buying and leasing salon equipment.
Commonly Asked Questions about Leasing Salon Equipment:
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What is the difference between leasing or financing (through a bank) for purchasing my styling chairs and equipment?
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What are the advantages to leasing vs. a bank loan?
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Who do I turn to for leasing equipment and how does it work?
Leasing Salon Equipment is Easy and Affordable
Leasing is not a new option for salon businesses; in fact a lot of salons lease their equipment instead of financing it through a bank. The advantages of leasing are many. Leasing is quicker and easier for most business owners who have limited capital or who need equipment that must be upgraded every few years, while purchasing equipment can be a better option for established businesses or for equipment that has a long usable life.
Advantages of Leasing Salon Equipment
The primary advantage of leasing salon equipment is that it allows you to acquire salon furniture and supplies with minimal initial expenditures and allows you to finance 100% of the equipment costs, shipping costs, taxes, etc. This frees up your cash and other credit for other purposes.
Another financial benefit of leasing salon equipment is that your lease payments can usually be tax deductible, thus reducing the net cost of your lease. In addition, leases are usually easier to obtain. The lease applications are just one page and approvals are usually within 24 hours.
Leases also have more flexible terms and payment structures than bank loans for buying salon equipment. This can be a significant advantage if you have bad credit or need to negotiate a longer payment plan to lower your costs.
We at Keller International, work with several financing institutions that can finance all your salon equipment needs. Highland Financial Group, Quest Resources, Bank of Cardiff and Beneficial Capital are a few that offer great service and an understanding of the salon and barbershop community.
Friday, October 26, 2007
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Barber Chair Quality
Wow what a year!! I can't believe that some people are selling barber chairs of such poor quality. It's such a shame that so many of barber chairs look alike from the picture or at least close and when you receive them they are marginally acceptable for usage. This is what I tell people, “If a cheap barber chair weighs 125 lbs and a Keller International barber chair weighs 225 lbs, which one do you think is going to last”. That's right the barber chair with the steel in it !!!!
Shopping for Barber Chairs
When shopping for barber chairs you need to take a lot of quality and reliability factors into account. The main SAFETY factor is the diameter and steel thickness of the barber chair base plate. A round chrome base plate should be a minimum of 660mm in diameter (26.2 inches) and a steel thickness of about 1/8 of an inch (.100 to .125 inches). Many barber chair manufacturers are using undersized all-purpose chair pumps and bases (600mm = 24 inches) for barber chairs with disastrous results. This makes for an unsafe condition and poor reliability since the base is too small, the steel thickness is too thin and the pump disc eventually fractures at the pump bolt connections. Not only is the pump base too small, but to offset that fatal error, they moved the pump to the chair mounting bracket toward the rear of the chair; this prevents it from flipping over backwards when in the reclined shaving position. However this causes the chair to flip forward if you slide forward on the seat during a normal haircut. I had another manufacturers chair here and I could not even sit normally in the chair without it flipping it forward. I have no clue how someone could ever sell a barber chair of such poor design.
Barber Chair Hydraulic Pumps
Barber chair hydraulic pumps are another story. Pump shaft size is important (35mm to 40mm) and the weight lifting capacity of the hydraulic pump (400lbs) is a major factor. Basically the pump needs to be massive in size for a barber chair, that’s if you want a long lasting sturdy chair. Unfortunately pump capacity ratings from a lot of barber chair manufacturers are over inflated, stating their maximum lift on a good day without any safety factor built into it.
Barber Chair Design
Finally we get down to barber chair design basics, which is the barber chair steel frame construction; it needs to be rugged and not flimsy (basically put some steel in it). Many imported manufacturers just use a couple of steel crossbars for their framing which is marginal for sturdiness. The Keller Barber chair model K2006 series has a full solid 1/4” thick steel plate for the entire underside of the chair. Remember the old cast iron barber chairs, they were solid and extremely heavy. It’s too bad we can’t afford to make them like that any more. But I will put the Keller K2006A barber chair up against the old heavy duty ones any day. It’s a very rugged chair.
Ask Donald Trump and Vince McMahon, whose barber chair they bought for the WWE Battle of the Billionaire’s. Yep, Keller International K2006A was in the center of the Wrestling ring for the “Hair vs. Hair” shaving event! Well actually it was the WWE ( World Wrestling Entertainment ) that bought it, they should have just asked us, we would have given it to them for free.
We, at Keller International are an engineering based company and have strived through the years to continually improve and demand high quality in both our designs and finished products from our factories.
Friday, October 12, 2007
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Keller International, Barber and Beauty Equipment supplier, on October 1st 2007 has a new website address.
Keller International is proud to announce it's new website!! www.Kellerinternational.com. We have always operated under the name of Keller International, but our website address has been www.4salon.com . This 4salon web address has always been a simple and easy to remember website name and has served us very well. We will continue to operate the 4salon.com website address by having it automatically redirected to our new website kellerinternational.com. This will serve our previous customer and their web search favorites by not effecting it, as everything will be redirected automatically by catagory to the new website.
This is an exciting time at Keller International as we expand into new high quality facial electronic products and a new super quality scissor line at affordable prices.
Paul Keller - President - 800-578-8772