Start a Nail Salon
Are you a nail technician who wants to strike out on your own or an entrepreneur who wants to get into the beauty industry? If so, follow these steps to learn how to start a nail salon.
Contents
Steps
Secure Capital and Permits
- Write a business plan for your nail salon. Choose a form to follow from a reference book or use this business plan template from the Small Business Administration.
- Estimate your start-up costs. Consider both start-up costs like incorporation fees, rent and equipment and ongoing costs like salaries, marketing expenses and loan payments.
- Obtain capital to start your business. You may get money from a family member, from your savings, from a venture capitalist or from a lender.
- Secure local, state and federal licenses and permits. These include a basic business license, a federal employer identification number, fictitious business name permits, zoning and land use permits and a sales tax license.
- Get a health department permit. Also, check to see if you state requires nail technicians to be professionally licensed
Find and Furnish Your Space
- Find your nail salon location. Choose an affordable, high-traffic location. Consult a realtor who specializes in commercial property.
- Clean and remodel your space as needed. Do any painting, floor replacement or furniture installations before you purchase equipment.
- Purchase nail salon equipment. Necessary equipment will include tables and chairs, nail files, nail brushes, nail polish, nail dryers, nail polish remover and nail clippers
- Choose a point-of-service system. Purchase a cash register and POS software so that you can track your sales and sales taxes accurately. You should also choose software that allows you to print reports so that you can analyze your salon's performance.
Prepare for Your Opening
- Hire nail technicians. Choose experienced technicians who enjoy customer service. Make sure that your technicians have all necessary licenses.
- Buy some high-quality payroll software. Good software should offer timekeeping, check printing and payroll tax deduction compliance.
- Train your staff. Make sure your technicians know your policies and procedures before you open your salon. Ask friends and family to volunteer for manicures and pedicures as a training exercise for your staff before your official opening.
- Advertise a grand-opening special or offer a service at a discount. Alternatively, you can have a soft opening so that you get a feel for any tweaks that you need to make before you have an official grand opening for your salon.
- Have a digital strategy. Start an e-mail marketing campaign and set up a website with online appointment booking. Make sure your website is optimized for mobile devices.
Tips
- Consider purchasing an existing nail salon or buying into a franchise so that you don't have to start from scratch. You can also start a mobile nail salon and run the nail salon from your home if this is a legal option in your area.
Warnings
- Don't neglect bookkeeping. You need to know your financial standing at all times if you want to be successful with a small business.
Things You'll Need
- Business Plan
- Estimate of expenses
- Start-up capital
- Licenses and permits
- Storefront location
- Basic nail salon equipment
- Cash register and POS software
- Payroll software
