Edit ArticleHow to Open a Shoeshine Stand You can find shoeshine stands in a variety of places, including city streets, airports, barbershops and shopping malls. Visiting a shoeshine stand is a great way to care of your shoes or boots, people watch, take a break from shopping or just relax for a few minutes. These little businesses offer a variety of services, including a regular shine, cream shine, suede renew and strip and shine service. Open a shoeshine stand and attract attention, customers and money. Find a mentor willing to help you develop your skills. Learn the techniques, tips and tricks in providing a professional shoeshine. Search for a good location. When opening any new business, location is critical to its success. Heavy traffic areas are perfect for a shoeshine stand.Rent can be expensive. If you're just starting out, you may not be able to afford rent unless you have a regular source of income, too. Offer a percentage of your sales to the business owner.
If your business is doing well, the percentage to the owner will be more. Point out how your business can drive business to the owner's location. Invest in the equipment necessary for your shoeshine stand. Be sure to purchase an attractive, comfortable professional quality shoeshine chair for customers to sit in. Depending on your business plan, you may want a chair that is easy to transport. Buy a professional shoeshine kit to accommodate all types of shoes and boots. Market your shoeshine stand. Include the following information: your business name, location, when you will open for business, the hours of operation, the rates and any specials. Post signs around the area. Leave information on vehicle windows. Make contact with nearby hotels. Leave business cards or flyers about your service. Open your shoeshine stand. Engage your customers and always be courteous. Remember the names and faces of your customers, along with any other interest they may have shared with you.
Connect as much as possible with your customers to better the connection. This can mean a bigger tip and repeat customers. Thank your customers and let them know of any future or holiday sales. Show more unanswered questions Consider purchasing a shoeshine franchise. It would require more money up front, but it would provide you with a location, clientele and the necessary equipment. Experts recommend that you have the funds to cover one year of expenses before you quit any job providing you with a solid income to start a business. The best hours of operation for a shoeshine stand are mornings and evenings, when people are going to and coming home from work.Shoe shiners can earn a good living as long as foot traffic is good. /Getty Images Once a staple of the urban streetscape, the traditional shoeshine stand has nearly vanished from city sidewalks but is making a last stand in airport concourses and major train terminals. For a reasonable charge, plus tip, men can still get their dress shoes buffed and shined and enhance their professional, put-together appearance.
In areas of heavy foot traffic, most shoe shiners can still earn a decent income. Leases and Guarantees A shoe shine stand occupies a small retail space, either enclosed or in the open, and the owner pays rent, a percentage of sales or a guaranteed minimum to the property owner. Other than rent, costs are straightforward: a stand with chairs, supplies, utilities and wages. Employees earn a regular hourly wage and get tips from customers. Charges and Tips A shoe shine stand charges customers a flat fee for the service, usually in the range of $5 to $10; discounts may be available for early service, while special services, such as shining boots, may require a premium. An account in the UK's Daily Mail Online, published in April 2013, revealed that New York City's Star Shine shop charged customers $7 for the basic service but only $4 if the customer showed up before 11 a.m. Street shiners generally charge less -- a New Yorker article dated March 2013 reported that shoe shiners working outdoors in the city charged a flat $5
, with the daily take depending on location and traffic. Bureau of Labor Statistics Although shoe shine attendant isn't an official occupational category, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes mean salary data for personal care services. As of May 2012, the mean hourly wage for this category was $10.56 and the mean annual salary $21,970. The BLS doesn't break out single occupations within this category, and as a result the agency's figures account for shoe shiners as well as those working in higher-paid occupations, such as massage therapists and barbers. Time and Money An average shoe shine may take about 10 minutes; the service is designed to be simple and convenient. With steady traffic, a shoe shiner may serve four to six customers an hour, and the more customers, the more tips received. Another important consideration is the stand's flat charge. As business consultant Chris MacDonald pointed out in a 2011 article on "Ethics of Shoe Shine Pricing," as the charge approaches $10, the percentage of income in the form of tips decreases, as customers will often simply pay $10 and ask a shoe shiner to "keep the change" for the sake of convenience.
/Getty Images Suggest an Article CorrectionKit ValetValet Ii10Pc ContentContent KiwiIi WoodenWooden BoxesWooden ValetShine ValetSelect ShoeForwardKIWI Shoe Shine Valet with Care Products - When I was a boy, my grandfather taught me how to shine my own shoes. He said the difference between being just a man and a gentleman were having clean fingernails and shined shoes. Termites, Ants, Fleas, Spiders, Scorpions, Rodents, Crickets, and any other pesky pest. "I was in my garage at around 10:00pm on a Sunday. I heard something move under my work bench and I thought it was probably a mouse... Until I heard the warning rattle and saw the coiled up scales. Yelp users haven’t asked any questions yet about Texas Shine Shoe Shine Stand. Friendly, clean, quick, and quality service. The best shoe shine in town. Using clean, native leather care techniques (spit, burn, deer bone, etc.). Experienced in all leathers (including all exotic & fine leathers). All major Credit cards accepted with $2.00 transaction fee.
Shoe shine "pick ups" and "deliveries" available upon request. Please allow 3-4 day turnaround for repairs. Allow me to come see you for your "on site" personal shoe shine. "...thorough, fast, and friendly!" Call or text for your next appointment. Thank you for your business. Have "mobile shoe shine chair" and will travel. Pamper your potential clients/customers at your next expo or event (private or public) with a Texas Shine as your "business schwag." You won't regret it. Thorough, fast, and friendly. Call, text, or email for more information. You Might Also Consider Reid's Cleaners is a service industry. Our goal is to make our customers satisfied and happy by providing quality work and friendly service. It takes a Team Effort to get our customers clothes marked in, cleaned, pressed,… "My yard has been serviced with Mosquito Squad for over a year now. I must saw they have top notch customer service, especially Karen. Even in the midst of my confusion and irritability over the constant…"