A few months ago I was in bad need of a hair cut. I had found a hair cutting place which I thought would be perfect called “Just for Men”. I had envisioned getting my hair cut in a manly environment while watching sports on a big screen TV. The name brought all these great ideas of what could be in store. I was also very happy after many bad haircuts to see that there was a company that niche for men only.
My first visit to “Just for Men” was a real surprise. Upon entering I was surprised to see the walls covered with pictures of meterosexual men with perfectly sculpted faces and bodies. It did not make me feel very comfortable at all. I waited at the front desk for a few minutes waiting to be served when someone walked up and asked me if I had an appointment. Thinking she was joking I asked if I needed one which she rudely replied yes of course. I quickly left very disappointed not feeling that this place was niched for men at all. As a man I have never made a hair appointment. When I need a hair cut I go and find a place to get one. I have polled other men that I know and they also say they very rarely make an appointment to get their haircuts.
So this brings me to the key to success. If you are going to niche to a particular group or industry be sure you understand that industry. Just saying you niche in that industry is not enough. I would research the industry by doing interview’s and simple polls with companies or people in my local area. Once you feel you understand what that niche wants then and only then would I enter into that niche.
What do you think?
Collin
September 12, 2007 6:21 pm
Dame great post, and haha when I use to get hair cuts I went to where the chicks had the biggest ****.
Makes for a nicer hair cut! And if you read my post today you’ll see why I liked this post, best one of the day I have read.
Rhetorical
September 12, 2007 10:07 pm
I’ve never made a hair appointment either. I usually just go to somewhere near my house, but I find that I never stick with a single hair cut place for all that long. Not sure why.
blogadmin
September 12, 2007 10:11 pm
Probably because your a man :)
christian
September 13, 2007 7:24 am
I used to shave my own hair. easy..
Now i have upgraded and I cut my own hair.
Fist full of hair, and cut what is hanging out the other end.
I wonder if there is a niche somewhere for me. I hate having to clean all that hair.
;>
Derek
September 14, 2007 12:15 pm
Maybe their niche is really the metrosexual men but that just didn’t work well in the business name?
I agree with you that most men don’t schedule a time for a haircut. I’ve been cutting my own, or having my wife do it, for the last 15 years. Sure saves money on haircuts!
Pinny Cohen
September 21, 2007 10:17 am
Nice article, but I think you missed the niche – they want metrosexual or metrosexual interested men (mostly the younger 15-34 demographic) to come in. The appointments are a feature of higher end salons, and they are right to do that if that is the message they want to send (they are classy and metro and cool).
There is another chain (the name eludes me right now) of haircut places that actually allows you to watch sport games and play video games in a “manly” environment such as you are seeking, but that is a totally different type of “man” :-D.
blogadmin
September 21, 2007 10:24 am
It is possible that is their niche but then the naming and braning of Just for Men seems wrong.
Not to mention the area they are located in is an industrial area of a rural type city. Lots of factory workers and construction guys in the area. I’m sure they all went in and probably had a similar experience.
Pinny Cohen
September 21, 2007 10:29 am
I would agree that isn’t the best location for such a store, although keep in mind -
Metrosexual men believe they are the “real” men, and Manly men believe they are the “real” men, so the name works for some but not for others.
Christian
September 21, 2007 10:41 am
Or maybe these factory workers and construction guys walked in and though.. (not out loud)…
“Hey! they finally listened to us”.
;)
Derek
September 21, 2007 12:11 pm
At one time there was a place in my area that had blacked out windows and the women cutting hair were wearing nothing but lingerie.