TIPS FOR GETTING STARTED IN THE BEAUTY INDUSTRY

Budgeting

Always start by establishing a budget. Once you’ve budgeted for your expenses, you can start to explore different options like the type of equipment to buy (new or used), the type of location where you want to establish your business, what services you’ll offer, your advertising strategy and business cards, pamphlets explaining your services, your website and the range of facial care products you’ll be using.

 

Deciding what services to offer

You can now decide what types of services you’ll offer at your salon. Some of the more basic services include regular facials, waxing, manicures and pedicures. Then there are services that require larger equipment like electrolysis, laser treatments, oxygen facials and anti-cellulite treatments. Finally, there are medical esthetics procedures that require input from various health care professionals, including injections, surgery-free esthetic medicine and varicose vein treatments.

 

Choosing the right location

Selecting your new workplace is a very personal choice and an extremely important one at that.
At this stage you have three main options: open your own storefront location, rent space in an existing beauty salon (or hair salon or professional centre), or work from your own home.

 

Choosing your products

Once you know where you’ll be working, it’s time to make another very important decision: which range of products you’ll be working with. As a beautician, you’ll frequently work with sensitive facial skin, so it’s crucial that you choose the right beauty care products both for salon use and resale. You should expect this aspect to consume a large portion of your budget. Choose a range that you feel comfortable working with and that suits the treatments you offer.

 

While the majority of companies offer products for both resale and salon use, some deal exclusively in products designed strictly for salons. Most companies have a minimum purchase requirement for your starter kit as well as monthly or annual minimums, so make sure you can meet all the conditions so you avoid major stress.

 

Other companies have an initial minimum spending requirement and then work on a consignment basis. In other words, a company representative will periodically visit you to renew your inventory based on what you’ve sold. This option can be much less constraining.

Finally, some retailers don’t have any minimum purchase requirements, even on your first purchase. You can buy from them at your own pace and according to your own needs, which should give you greater peace of mind

 

 

Establishing your prices

Setting prices for your services can be a challenge. You don’t want to set prices too high or too low. Start by making an exhaustive list of all the services you plan to offer and do some online research to get a general idea of the services offered in your area and the prices charged by local professionals. If you can establish what they charge on average, you can use this as your rate.

 

Be careful about undercutting your competition by offering ridiculously low prices. Besides attracting a non-committal clientele who are constantly hunting for the lowest prices, your salon can develop a “low-end” image and reputation. Your colleagues will also start to see you as a threat to their business and teamwork will become difficult if not impossible. By setting reasonable and fair prices from the start, you’ll start building a loyal clientele while demonstrating respect toward other professionals in your industry.

 

 

Advertising

You have many options when it comes to advertising, and some of them require zero investment. Facebook, Instagram or Google can be an excellent showcase for your business, and you only pay for ads targeting a specific audience. With Google’s Business Profile, people who search for beauty services in your area will be able to find you very quickly, while sharing posts on Facebook and Instagram can help you quickly increase your visibility and attract new clients.

 

If you want to invest more and develop your own web presence, you can also build a website to draw in additional clients. Take a look at the websites of other professionals and contact a web design company to create your site. You’ll know exactly what you need, and knowing your needs will help you invest your money more wisely.

 

If you already have some experience with IT, you can also create your own website using existing platforms like WIX or GoDaddy. These tools are free but you’ll need to pay an annual fee for your domain name (your website’s URL).