Tobacco users may unwind at a hookah lounge, sometimes called a shisha lounge, hookah café, shisha bar, shisha catering, or hookah den. The number of hookah bars in the United States and elsewhere is expected to more than quadruple by 2030, and the worldwide hookah sector as a whole is projected to expand by at least that much.
Whether you’re a smoker or simply like making others feel comfortable, this may be a wonderful moment to start a hookah lounge or shisha catering business. Hence, it’s a perfect way and an excellent time for making some serious dough.
But before you turn on the taps, you need to familiarize yourself with the steps involved in starting a company. With any luck, you’ll learn much more after reading this comprehensive hookah guide.
Establish a Strategy for Your Hookah Rental Company
Launching a successful company is only possible by first putting in the time and effort required for proper preparation. The same logic applies to the hookah rental market. So let’s go into the essentials of starting a hookah rental company.
Pick a name for your hookah rental company. Whether you’re starting a hookah rental business or a party supply rental business, the name you pick should represent who you are and what you stand for.
Without a well-thought-out strategy, there is no way to guarantee success with a hookah rental company. Business plans, when drafted correctly, outline the company’s primary goals and the steps management will take to realize those goals.
Exploring the Market
Event planners, as well as private individuals, are the primary customers of most hookah rental firms. Therefore, a hookah rental service may be lucrative for many potential customers.
Having a hookah at a party may make it one of the best times ever; thus, a company that rents them out would be beneficial. In addition, new or pre-owned hookahs are cheap options for smoking. As a result, renting hookahs is an excellent option if you’re looking to enter the party supply rental industry.
Expenses in Law and Business Initiation
Depending on local laws governing things like hiring practices, rent, and license requirements, you may have to add the following to that list:
- Costs associated with obtaining licenses and permissions legally.
- Money is required to register a company.
- Insurance.
- Software for keeping financial records or the hiring of a payroll service.
- Expenses related to running a business, such as paying rent and wages.
Budget at least $250,000 in launching expenditures for a hookah bar in a pricey city like Los Angeles. There may be a decrease in price if you move to a lower-rent neighborhood.
You may get this money via savings, loans, and grants for new businesses.
Prepare Your Licenses and Permits
Depending on local, county, and state laws, smoking may be prohibited at your business. Do your research to determine whether any of these laws apply to you.
You will likely need a license in each state where your firm operates to sell tobacco legally. Check the local, country, and state legislation to find out how to get a tobacco license in your area. Once obtained, it must be prominently displayed in the establishment and renewed yearly.
Herbal shisha, in contrast to regular shisha, does not include tobacco and is thus used by specific lounges to get over legislation prohibiting the sale of tobacco in their areas.
You’ll need additional licenses if your shisha lounge will also serve alcoholic beverages. Local jurisdictions have varying policies regarding the issuance of such permits. In order to save money and comply with fewer regulations, many hookah bars and clubs substitute tea for alcoholic beverages.
Put Together a Team
Shisha smoking may be thought of as an art form. Similar to how some individuals acquire a liking for excellent wine or a certain kind of craft beer, some people develop a preference for particular types of food. Whenever you’re in a position to recruit a few people, prioritize finding those who are both knowledgeable about the history of shisha and adept at preparing it.
Customers unfamiliar with shisha will also frequent your lounge. Therefore your employees will need to be patient and helpful in explaining the basics. Fast service and friendly, helpful staff will go a long way toward satisfying your customers and encouraging them to return.
Develop a Website for Your Company
Next, you should launch your company’s website once you’ve established your brand’s identity via logo design.
While having a website is crucial, some may feel it needs to be in their grasp due to a lack of knowledge or expertise in this area. While this was a valid concern as recently as 2015, rapid online technology development has simplified entrepreneurs’ lives.
Why you shouldn’t procrastinate any longer before launching your website:
- The internet is a need for every respectable company nowadays.
- Maintaining a presence on social media is essential, but it should be something other than having your own website for your company.
- GoDaddy’s Website Builder and similar tools have made it ridiculously easy to create a small website. A professional web developer or designer is unnecessary to make a site you’re satisfied with.
Find Your Market Rates
You probably won’t be the first person in your region to start a hookah bar, and that’s OK. Healthy competition and a range of consumer alternatives are welcome in any market. However, since your shisha lounge is a new addition to the area, you’ll need to ensure your rates are competitive with those of established competitors.
Depending on the hookah lounge, you may pay for your session before or after you start smoking, and the price of a bowl of shisha will vary depending on its capacity. For instance, a giant bowl will burn for a more extended period, hence commanding a more fantastic price.
Since shisha users often spend a lot to smoke hookah at their favorite spots and frequently bring their friends along, you can push up your pricing a bit if your lounge becomes a local favorite.
Market Your Company
It might be difficult for a brand-new company to get its name out there, but the members of shisha groups will spread the word about your hookah bar if you do a good enough job of marketing.
You might still assist spread awareness of your company by advertising in newspapers or on social media like Facebook. Since shisha smokers frequent hookah bars as much for the ambiance and character of the bar as for the shisha itself, branding is essential.
Kick-Start the Business Now!
Hookah bars and online shisha catering services may get their feet wet by offering competitive pricing. However, the shisha you provide should also be something your clientele enjoys. Yet again, the ordinary customer’s love of tobacco is a boon to hookah clubs. However, a hookah lounge might soon retain customers if shisha is prepared correctly.
The sourcing of raw materials is also required. Select well-known shisha, and train your staff well in the technique of shisha preparation. Preparing shisha is not very complicated, but a strong culture exists around it.