I'm about a quarter into my salon purchase; here's the good / bad / ugly 👇 Context: I purchased 25% of an existing (15+ year) salon in January. I have right to purchase the remainder of the biz within 2 years for a predetermined price (based on rev levels). The salon did ~ 750K top line (peaked at 1.1 m top line in 2019 i.e. pre-COVID); but grew each of the last 2 years. My process to get to know folks was pretty simple; spend time there. No additional meetings (no one wants extra meetings). Good: - It hasn't been too time consuming (the biz has a manager + strong leadership on staff). Some weeks I spend 0 hours on it; others it's a half-day or so. There are some email chains that go back & forth. But generally fairly hands off. - We had a distribution in Q1. It had to go to pay legal fees for the business acquisition. If you look at it on a rate of return on cash invested; it was about 4% of total cash invested into the biz. If this rate continues (which it should improve; as Q1 slowest); then I'd expect to realize (in year 1); between a 17-20% return on cash invested. You would be hard pressed to find this kind of return anywhere else. - The staff has been very welcoming. They appreciate some new insights & have been helpful as I learn the biz; I also get free haircuts; which is a nice perk! (Yes I tip them) - The biz continues to be profitable (without much in way of major changes) & January is one of the slowest months of the year (cold weather + post holiday slump = slower times) - One of the biggest items to improve top line is just # of staff. We have a few empty chairs still (~100K per chair); so hiring 1-2 new staff this year should help us grow. Bad: - There is a lot of work to be done before we can focus on growth. The salon needs a facelift, there is some issues w/ rising rents (& deciding what to do), the systems are dated (i.e. using paper for everything) - The marketing program is virtually non-existent; a few print fliers here & there, but nothing in the way of a marketing motion. However; with the foundational issues; it makes no sense to spend good $ on marketing until foundational is set. - Things move slow. This is a mix of reasons. #1; both owners have other biz & main owner has a FT job. We could move faster; but hard to do so in a few hours a week. #2; the biz has been around for 15+ years. It's been through the recession & COVID; even though folks say they want change; implementing that change takes longer than realized. Ugly: - Being a minority owner is a dance. You can't make sweeping changes without consensus. You don't control the purse entirely. You're trying to appease staff & the primary owner at the same time, but their perspectives & goals are completely different. It has caused me some stress. - There's a fair amount of politics at a small salon. It can be a lot of unpack & wade through at times. Net/Net Anyone who says "owning a biz is passive income" is mostly full of it IMHO.
This is my new favorite saga on LinkedIn. Thanks for sharing the update!
No such thing as passive income. There’s always some level of work involved. I’m pumped to watch and learn from you on this particular biz journey. I have a feeling your mind is spinning with killer marketing/tech/automation ideas to bring the salon into 2024 and increase value.
As a 30+ year veteran hairstylist and master colorist, I'm wondering what your previous salon business experience is.
This is fascinating stuff. Passive is a myth for sure.
17-20% expected ROI in the first year is amazing, congrats man. I love following along here!
Very much agree with you on the last line there Brandon Bobart 📈. "Passive" income almost always has a good amount of frontend work before you've gotten all the systems in place so that it feels more passive.
Cannabis Banking | Specialist in new markets & strategies | Official Member - Rolling Stone Cannabis Culture Council | Advisory Board Member - The Cannabis Summit & CTrust
11moHave you done the bend and snap though?