The Cirque Blog

Providing information and insights to contribute to your studio, your style, and your success!

Designing a studio

Jul 27, 2022

At Cirque, you are given the opportunity to design and decorate your studio.  At the Charleston, Mount Pleasant, Goose Creek, Summerville, Moncks Corner and West Ashley locations, we start things off by painting the walls any color that you would like and then allow you to take it from there.  We have outlined below a few common styles of design that we see at our locations.  We hope that it gives you a little inspiration when it comes to either designing your studio or freshening up your current space

One trend that seemingly never goes out of style is the white walls room.  It is a clean, versatile look that gives the room a bigger feel.  From there, some studio owners hang black shelves or gold accents or put up some green plants to give the room some color.   An additional benefit of this look is that it can be easy to accessorize and switch up the accents just by changing out pictures or greenery.  

Another look that is prevalent starts with a primary paint that is a soft pink or gray tone.  These color palettes evoke a calm, serene response.  These rooms often feature softer accents and paintings with abstract designs to help set that peaceful mood.  While we see this design often with estheticians, we do see it too with stylists looking to promote a calming environment for clients in their chair.

From calming to contemporary, we do occasionally see studios that have an emphasis on modern art, along with unique pieces for storage.  These pieces range anywhere from blue lockers to a pink mini fridge to very abstract art with bright colors.   One of the appeals to this type of studio is that the design can be changed frequently just by switching the pieces of art or bringing in a small bright storage cabinet.  

The last type of studio that we will highlight today is the bright colored room.  These studios start with a bright color, a yellow or sometimes purple.  These colors give off a bright energy of their own and lighten up the room.  With this wall color, we often see darker color accents to help them stand out from the wall colors.  One caveat is that these studios can be a little tougher to change up because the bright colors can dominate the room.  

There are many unique styles to studio design and we have just highlighted four broad designs that we see often in our locations.   Again, an appealing aspect to Cirque is that you can totally make the space your own with your own wall colors, cabinets, shelves and accent pieces.  If you are interested in having your own space to design, send us an email at [email protected] to see what we have available at Cirque.  

-The Cirque Team

Planning your next steps

Jul 18, 2022

While studio ownership is exciting, it is important to determine a timeline that works best for success. Planning, designing, and implementing your business plan and space often takes longer than many realize.  For opening a studio at Cirque, the typical process takes about a month between planning the design to getting the studio ready and then for State Board to come out and inspect.  This time window also allows you to prepare your clients for the move to your new location. It’s always fun to see clients so excited to see you taking the next step in your career and to see your personalized new space.

In regards, to designing your Cirque studio, you can decorate and furnish the studios to suit your style. Cirque gets you started with a styling chair, shampoo station or vanity sink, depending on the services you are providing. You can, however, purchase your own salon equipment and we will install it for you.  This leads us to another point about opening your new business – cost planning.

Developing a budget for additional furniture, products and supplies is important so you know what costs to expect when opening your studio. With a budget, you can spend the right amount on necessities while reserving some funds for the start of your business. Having a reserve or rainy-day fund is important for any business not only when starting out but also once you are established.  You never know what life is going to bring, but you can always try to be financially prepared.

In closing, we hope you’ll consider Cirque Salon Studios as the right move for studio ownership.   If you feel that studio ownership could be calling you, take that next step and send us a note at [email protected] for more detailed information. Great planning combined with your passion for and expertise in the styling business can result in a career path that has only been a dream to this point.  Let us help!

-The Cirque Team

Is the time right?

Jul 11, 2022

Sometimes it is not easy to know if it is the right time to take the next step in business. Whether you have always had the entrepreneurial spirit or this is your very first business venture, we have put together some questions below to help you decide if the time is right for studio ownership.

1. Have you been at your current location for a couple of years and feel like you have achieved all you can at this location?

2. Are you struggling to get enough time behind the chair to see all the clients who want to make appointments with you?

3. Are you helping to correct other stylist’s work in the salon?

4. Have you grown your business to the point you are limiting the number of new clients you are taking?

5. Are you working so many hours you can’t remember the last time you took any time off?

6. Do fellow beauty professionals seek out your opinions and expertise?

7. Are clients asking if you ever consider going out on your own?

8. Are you ready to have your own space to provide your clients a more personal, relaxed environment?

10. Do you frequently think what it would it be like to design your own studio?

11. Are you having to charge the same rates as less experienced stylists in your salon?

12. Is your last vacation such a distant memory that you need the pictures in your phone to remind you about it?

While some are a little humorous, if you answer most of these questions with  a “yes,” these are serious indicators that validate the time is right for you to consider studio ownership.  If you are ready to learn more about the next steps of studio ownership at Cirque, reach out to us to see what we have available.  Send us an email at [email protected], and please specify which location that you are the interested in and we will be in touch!  Next week, now that you have made the decision that salon studio ownership is for you, what do you need to do to prepare to succeed!

-The Cirque Team