Orange Blush, the salon chain that P30,000 built

MANILA, Philippines - How far can P30,000 go? What can it buy these days? It can perhaps buy  a high-tech cellphone model, a high-end laptop or netbook, or an economy tourism trip package to an adjacent Asian destination.

For only P30,000, however, young entrepreneur Joby Linsangan-Moreno, the amount allowed her to buy not just a business but a bright future for her and her family. She used her savings to start a beauty salon business that  is now changing not only her life but how salons are being set up and run.

The beauty salon, Orange Blush Salon which she acquired in 2003, has grown and blossomed into a thriving business with 15 branches now in Nueva Ecija.  Of the number, 11 are company-owned, while four are franchised facilities.

“Yes, we certainly have expansion plans. We are eyeing to open some 20 more outlets before end of this year, mainly in Luzon areas, where we want to concentrate first. We will definitely expand our business through franchising,” Joby said.

A Medical Technology degree holder, Joby knew she could easily practice her profession in the country or get a high-paying job abroad. She could also pursue and obtain a medical degree, but she opted to become an entrepreneur.

Her forage into entrepreneurship began when she learned that a nearby beauty salon is being put up for sale. The package includes the complete turn over to the new owner of the salon, the trained staff, and its equipment for P16,000.

Being no stranger to beauty care -- Joby was a beauty title-holder and ramp model while still in school -- she was attracted to buy the salon. Of course, it helped that she had savings amounting to P30,000, more than enough to cover the cost of the buyout.

After closing the purchase deal, she used her remaining P14,000 to give the salon a face-lift  and buy new furnishings and equipment like blowers and mirrors. She also gave the facility a splash of orange, her favorite color, and named it OrangeBlush.

Offering its clients quality services at affordable prices, Joby said Orange Blush is unique because of its community salon concept which  simplifies the salon business and makes it more friendly to both customers and potential investors.

A community salon, Joby explains, is similar to a neighborhood ‘barberya’  in a small space of around 15 square meters. Its services are limited to haircuts and hair treatments, manicure and pedicure, and foot spa.

She said this is her version of a ‘sari-sari’ store-type salon that offers quality services at very affordable prices. It is ideal for customers who want to get more for their money, and for start-up entrepreneurs who want to begin a business with a relatively smaller capital.

“As entrepreneurs, we should always be mindful of what will make our customers happy and what will give them reasons to keep coming back. To me, this includes giving them quality yet affordable services and products,” Joby said.

After opening her second Orange Blush salon in Nueva Ecija, Joby decided that it was time to go the franchise way to expand and share her new salon business concept with prospective  entrepreneurs. Her community salon concept allowed her to offer a franchise for as low at P100,000 for an approximately 15-square meter set up, plus a 5-percent royalty on gross sales after the first month of operation.

Joby’s goal of adding 20 more outlets before end of this year may not really be daunting as it seems. Recently, SM approved her idea of opening salons in SM Malls. She said this will allow her to offer her new salon concept to prospective franchisees interested in locating in malls nationwide.

Franchising, Joby noted, is good investment, since it assures investors that they are not venturing out alone starting from scratch, which in itself is a shield from costly start-ups and failures.

For franchising inquiries, call (02) 634-3717; 0917-5664142; 0923-79777365, or visit www.orangeblushsalon.com, Facebook: orange blush salon, or send email to [email protected].