How To Start My Nail Business

What Qualifications Do You Need To Start A Nail Business

In the UK, there is no specific qualification you need to take to be able to start a nail business. However, you will need to get insurance and many providers do require proof of qualifications in order to cover you.

So, while you could in theory be a self-taught nail technician, it is not recommended. A proper nail course will cover all the essential elements you will need to know, from properly applying nail enhancements to a high standard, to hygiene, health and safety and client care.

The best qualifications to start with are a level 2 or 3 certificate in nail technology or nail treatments. You can study for this in a college, which often will have entry requirements before you can enrol, such as a number of GCSEs or previous beauty qualifications.

Obtain Licenses And Permits

Home-based salons are allowed in most states, but beware of any regulations and restrictions before getting started. For example, you may be required to have a separate bathroom and a separate entrance for clients. Some states dont allow in-home nail businesses to hire employees other than family members. You might also need special parking permits. Call your state board of cosmetology to find out what laws apply in your city.

Nail technicians are required to obtain licenses. Depending on local laws, you can either complete a course by participating in a nail technician apprenticeship or through a nail technology program. These courses teach you about personal hygiene, nail care products, tools, sanitation, sterilization and other key aspects of the work. You can specialize in specific services, such as nail extensions, sculpting procedures and hand massage techniques.

Register Your Nail Business

If you are just doing a few nail sets for friends in your living room, you probably dont need to register yourself as a business.

But, if you are ready to start growing into a fully profitable nail technician, you will need to keep track of your earnings and ensure you declare them for tax.

When just starting up, many nail technicians set themselves up as a sole trader. This means you are now self-employed and personally responsible for all of your businesses finances.

To do this, you need:

• A national insurance number
• A record kept of all your incomings and outgoings over the financial year
• To send a self-assessed tax return every year
• To pay income tax on your profits

However, remember that this only applies when you start making over £1,000 from self-employment. So, be sure to keep track of your businesses finances so you know when you reach this point.

The government has plenty of advice on setting yourself up as a self-employed sole trader here.

You May Like: Can Guys Take Hair Skin And Nails Vitamins

Five Factors To Consider Before Starting Your Own Nail Salon Business

It was during the year 1981 when an eighteen-year-old girl named Tammy decided to open up her very own nail salon in America. At the time, Tammy only had a four-hundred-dollar budget and a three hundred and eighty-five square foot premises to turn her dream into a reality.

If you share the same dream as Tammy did back in 1981 but have no idea where to start, then this article is for you! Below we discuss our top five factors to consider before starting a nail salon.

Promote Your Services Locally

When all those items are in place, you need to start actually promoting your business around your local community so potential customers can find you. Place local ads online or in print. You might also consider getting on social media and using some special events or promotions to build buzz early on.

Image: Depositphotos.com

Don’t Miss: Vicks For Toenail Fungus

How To Start An In

The nail care market is blooming. In 2017, there were nearly 400,000 active nail licenses in the U.S. alone. California, for instance, was home to over 7,897 nail salons and 100,909 nail technicians. Men and women alike use these services to make sure they look sharp. If you’re planning to launch your own business, one of the best things about working as a nail technician is that you can work from home. It’s not necessary to open a salon and pay thousands of dollars in rent unless you want to. But you still need to have adequate equipment and comply with the laws. Additionally, you need to invest in marketing your business since you’ll have less exposure than a nail salon.

Starting A Nail Business: 9 Steps To Manicure Money Making Success

I became a full-time internet Entrepreneur in 2014 through lead generation. A form of digital marketing for local businesses. I’ve also created 6-figure businesses with Amazon FBA, Shopify Dropshipping & Affiliate Marketing. I’m passionate about exploring the best ways to make money online. I’ve invested in numerous courses which I’ve done reviews of on this site. In 2019, I spoke on stage in Las Vegas in front of thousands about how to create passive income by ranking page 1 in Google & generating free traffic. Learn More.

Follow Me:

Free Traffic + Local Marketing = Freedom?

For many people, getting a weekly or bi-weekly manicure is a part of their lifestyle and schedule.

And even despite the effects of the pandemic, beauty and nail industry have continued to grow!

If youve ever thought about taking your passion for nails and beauty and turning it into a business

Then this article is for you.

My name is Ippei, and Ive been killing it at online business, passive income, and lead generation since 2014.

And Im going to break down everything you really need to know about how to start a nail business in 2021 with this 9 step quick-start guide.

Including the realistic startup costs for a nail salon or nail technician, and the average profit margins of the nail industry.

So lets get into how to start a nail business.

Read Also: Hongo Cura Reviews

Set Up An Accounting System

Setting up an accounting system is critical to the long-term success of your business.

Staying on top of taxes not only keeps the business out of trouble with the government, but the numbers can be used to track and monitor trends and cash flow in the business and maximize profits.

Related: Setting up accounting for your business

Learn How To Open A Nail Salon Under The Hood

While it seems fun and awesome to run your own nail salon, its important to be grounded. Understand at the end of the day, you need to make that cash register ring in order to keep the lights on and have a fun and awesome nail salon to come to everyday

Speaking of everyday, its also a lot of work. Youre the owner, youve got to be there and set the systems and lead by example. I hope I havent scared you awayif I did, its probably for the best. Owning a business isnt for everyone. But if youre ready to get into the trenches

The best way to learn is by actually working in one. Give yourself a few months. Start as a nail technician, see how the boss runs their salon, find out what youd do the same and most importantly, what youd do differently.

Here are the areas of the business to learn:

Human Resources/Administrative/Operations

How does the business manage their files and customer information? Does the business have a special way of hiring and retaining its nail technicians and artists? What employee policies are standardized? Which functions of the business need systems?

In addition to those operative questions, its important to observe and figure out the following areas of the business that need systems and written documentation:

• Document organization

• Sales projections by month and season
• Sourcing funding for build out of nail salon

HAVE NO FEAR! Startup Jungle and I are here to help. Learn about effective marketing by working backwards.

Recommended Reading: Nail Polish Carpet Cleaner

Obtain Permits And Licenses

The legal requirements for nail salons vary by location. But youre likely to need a building permit, business license and state-approved training in order to officially open your business. If youre not sure what is required in your area, connect with a local business attorney or check with your local government.

Costs To Start A Nail Salon

When planning your new nail salon, youll need a detailed understanding of the costs of starting a salon business. You may need to save up money for your startup costs, find investors, or write a business plan and apply for a business loan to fund some of the larger common costs to start a nail salon business include salon chairs and stations, ventilation system, waiting area furniture, reception desk, scheduling software and point of sale system.

An assortment of supplies will be necessary, such as polishes, acrylic powder kits, acetone, cuticle oil, lotions, nail clippers, buffers, and towels to perform the services.

In addition to nail salon equipment and supplies used during the appointment, you may also want to purchase inventory to sell to customers. This is a great way to generate additional profits from existing customers. The typical average markup for retail items is 100%.

Some of the more popular items include lotions, nail polish remover, nail care kits, gloves, and sandals.

Quick Reference

Also Check: Varisi Nail Solution Reviews

What’s The Industry Like

Start by researching the local market. Try to determine what types of nail services are widely available so you can come up with something different. Depending on your skills and preferences, you could offer:

• Manicure
• Nail art
• Silk wraps

Check out other nail salons and technicians in your area. Identify their strengths and weaknesses, see what equipment they use and how they price their services.

Thinking Of Setting Up Your Own Business

Owning your own business can be an empowering and rewarding way to make money. You get to set your own hours, work where you want, and build a base of clients that you genuinely enjoy working with.

Before you dive in, however, its important that you give yourself the best chance of success by having a strong, well thought out business plan.

Below youll find a list of the top four things you need to consider before becoming a business owner.

Ask yourself the following questions. Dont rush your answers. Remember this is your life, your career and your livelihood you are considering. You want to make the best decisions and give your business a flying start.

• What services am I going to provide?
• How many hours am I willing to put into starting and building my business per week?
• Do I have all the skills and qualifications I need to start this business?
• How much money do I need to earn every week to pay for the running of the business, pay myself a wage, and cover my costs?

To be successful you will need to have a look at the market around you. Think about who your business competitors are.

Do some research on your competitors to find out:

• What services do they offer and what do they charge?
• How good is their customer service?
• What are their strengths and what are their weaknesses?

Don’t Miss: How To Remove Nail Glue

From Working Hours To Location When You Want To Start A Nail Tech Business There Are Lots Of Factors You Need To Consider One Of The Essential Steps To Success Is Building A Professional Kit So You Can Give High

If you want to start a nail tech business from scratch, then you need to get the basics laid down in your kit. Once you have the initial products, you can begin building out your kit with extra colours, brushes and accessories.

Weve compiled a list of all the essentials that you need to get started!

Draft A Business Plan

A business plan is an excellent way to get your nail salon off to a good start. Creating a business plan puts your dreams and goals down on paper. It also helps to know what you will need for success.

Additionally, you use your business plan for loans or startup capital. Banks and investors want to see the roadmap of how you plan to run your business.

Your business plan should cover:

• Description of your nail salon
• Who will manage and work in your salon
• Your target market, meaning your clients
• Where you will locate the salon
• Who are your competitors, and what advantage do you have over them
• Anticipated startup costs, including supplies and equipment
• Estimates on prices charged, based on the market area
• Ongoing expenses and expected profits

Business plans do not have to cover every detail. However, they should address what makes your business better than your competitors.

Recommended Reading: How Do You Get Nail Polish Out Of Carpet

Think The Idea Through

Before you begin getting involved and start investing, its wise to make sure you know what youre getting yourself into. According to the statistics presented by The Telegraph, at the break of 2019, 60% of newly established businesses close within three years, and 20% go-under within just the first twelve months of operation. Nail salons rarely bring huge profit margins, at least not instantly. Their profitability depends majorly on the efficiency of their employees and the harsh truth is many clients arent willing to pay what nail salons need to charge in order to be profitable. Like any business in the beauty industry, they are strongly affected by economic downturns and currently, they have to compete with the rise of DIY culture that delivers everyday people a chance to get a service done at low cost.

Does it mean you shouldnt open your own nail business? No! If you have confidence in your business concept and are in a position to take the risk, its most definitely worth taking into consideration. However, you have to be conscious of the risk and dont make the decision hastily. You should also focus more on the issue of how to build a nail business that delivers value customers are actually willing to pay for.

Was R4999 But For A Limited Time Now Only R1599

So what are you waiting for? Invest R1599 in your business and The Image Cartel will help you market your nail business, find new clients, get your diary full and boost revenue. How to market my nail business includes

Comprehensive 31 page Nail Salon Marketing Manual

24 Marketing Videos – with 5 hours of practical marketing training

Practical training with 100% money back guarantee

Bonus word of mouth marketing system valued at R700

Bonus 45 min follow-up marketing consultation

6 Months Bonus access to The Image Cartels Members Only Marketing Store with ready-made, customizable marketing tools for Facebook, Instagram, Web, WhatsApp, Email Marketing and Print media.

Bonus Facebook Fast Start Marketing Course valued at R699. Includes 90 min Facebook Marketing Training with tools and marketing manual.

Don’t Miss: How To Take Off Shellac Nails At Home

Dont Become Another Statistic

Every year, Nail and Beauty Businesses start and fail in South Africa at an unbelievable rate. According to Statistics South Africa, 2064 businesses were liquidated between January 2014 to December 2015. This means that an average of 168 businesses closed every month over that period. In other words, 42 businesses liquidated every week. In short, one business failed every 4 hours!

According to StatisticsSA, the main reason why most of these businesses closed down was because of a lack of cashflow. No cashflow means there were no sales and there were no sales because there were no customers buying.

Most Nail Techs we surveyed in the industry are not nearly as busy as they need to be, just take a look at these industry stats from Nail Techs we surveyed last year.

51% of Nail Techs service less than 10 clients a week51%

25% of Nail Techs service between 11 and 20 clients a week25%

Only 15% of Nail Techs service more than 20 clients a week15%

Write A Business Plan

It can be a very powerful tool and if you are opening a salon, you should write one as soon as possible. A business plan is a phenomenal guideline allowing you to always keep all your goals, methods and principles in check moreover, when writing it, you are forced to thoroughly rethink your business decisions and do in-depth research concerning both your target market and competition.

If you want to know how to write your beauty business plan in detail, check this article today we will touch upon only the most important aspects of it.

Don’t Miss: How To Take Impress Nails Off

Start A Mobile Press On Nail Business

The best press-on nail business idea is to start a mobile service. This will allow you the freedom and flexibility to work from home or in rented apartments without needing a license for each state that you travel through. When considering how many employees to hire, itâs important not to overhire unless absolutely necessary since this can be costly.

It may be better instead of hiring full-time employees, to employ on-call staff who are paid per hour rather than paying their salary every week or month. To keep clients coming back and loyal customers happy with your brand, create an incentive program where they get rewarded for being supportive of your business!

Resources To Help Women In Business

There are many resources out there specifically for women entrepreneurs. Weve gathered necessary and useful information to help you succeed both professionally and personally:

• Funding
• Guides
• Support

If youre a woman looking for some guidance in entrepreneurship, check out this great new series Women in Business created by the women of our partner Startup Savant.

Recommended Reading: Nailer Reviews

Marketing Your Nail Business

If you are going to run a nail business, then you will face the same key problem that every business owner who has gone before you has faced

And that is the problem of getting new leads and new business coming in on a consistent basis.

As a business owner, the last thing you want to be stressing over is a lack of business

Which is why strong marketing campaigns and lead generation strategies for your business are so important!

But sometimes it can be overwhelming or impossible to do it all.

Running your business, balancing your books, serving your clients, and pouring your time and energy into lead generation can be exhausting.

Fortunately, youre in the right place.

We teach small business owners how to generate new leads for their business sustainably

So that new business is streaming in constantly, without you expending excessive effort.

And we can do the same thing for your nail business.

If youre interested to learn how we can help you get started with lead generation for your nail business today, then

In addition to setting up a lead generation strategy for your nail salon business, you will need to create a website.

But creating a website for your nail business doesnt have to be complicated, and you dont even have to hire a graphic designer or web designer if it isnt in the budget for you right now.

Building a website is simpler than its ever been thanks to template based website builders.

Some of my top picks for user-friendly website builders are: