Reviews: A Necessary Evil — And a Genius Marketing Technique
Client reviews… we dread them. But reviews are one of the best ways to get people to schedule an appointment or book a class with your salon or studio.
Client reviews… we dread them. But reviews are one of the best ways to get people to schedule an appointment or book a class with your salon or studio.
The secret to boosting retention is embracing client feedback. Learn the two-step strategy every successful salon owner uses.
Get 60+ relaxing, inspiring, and client-winning spa Instagram captions to elevate your content and boost engagement.
If you’re a nail tech focused on independence and growth, starting a nail salon business is a great way to flex your creativity and earn more money.
With the nail salon industry on the rise — amassing more than eight billion in annual revenue in the United States alone — now is the perfect time to open up your own nail salon.
In this guide, we’ll answer the big questions you might have about starting a nail salon business, such as:
Our step-by-step guide will give you the confidence you need to get your own nail salon up and running in no time!
But first…
There are a lot of factors to consider when calculating the cost of opening up a nail salon, such as location and size.
While the exact costs will vary depending on where you’re starting your salon, here’s a quick list of expenses to expect.
No matter where you’re located, your lease (or mortgage if you buy a space) will be a big chunk of your budget.
And while it may feel like a hefty investment, the location you choose can be crucial to attracting new clients.
Small or large, renovation costs may need to be factored in for items like flooring, lighting fixtures, and furniture.
As with any business, you’ll need the appropriate licenses and permits to operate a salon. This includes: business license, cosmetology license, and health department permits.
(We’ll get more into the details of obtaining licenses and permits later on below.)
Investing in the right equipment and supplies for your nail salon can be a crucial part of your success.
Equipment such as pedicure chairs, nail stations, drying lamps, and ventilation systems are a necessity.
You’ll also have to think about purchasing a good variety of nail polishes, gels, tools, and other supplies, depending on the services you offer.
When it comes to marketing and advertising your nail salon, you’ll need to consider website costs, online booking software, social media campaigns, business cards, and the potential cost of advertising in local directories.
Ongoing operational costs include utilities, insurance, professional fees, cleaning supplies, and maintenance of equipment.
Staying on top of these expenses will ensure your salon runs smoothly.
Now that we’ve covered the costs to expect when opening up your own nail salon, let’s get into all the steps you need to take before you open your salon doors.
Salon business plans are essentially an outline for how you plan to start your business, and they include information like your target market, financial plans, marketing strategies, and more.
Here’s a quick checklist of what to include in your salon business plan
For your cover page, be sure to include the name of your business, your name, phone number, email address, and any other contact information you’d like to include.
This is a concise overview of your business plan, letting readers know what topics you’ll be covering throughout the business plan.
Lay out how your business will be structured and how you plan to make your salon business successful.
Market research involves getting to know your competitors, and it’s an important step in developing your business strategy.
Search for nail salons in your area — how would you find them? Where would you look?
Also, check out the other salon websites to learn more about what nail services others are offering and how much they’re charging.
When coming up with your marketing plan, ask yourself:
Lay out what your day-to-day operations will look like. What systems will you have in place to help you manage your salon?
What equipment will you need?
And don’t forget about your online scheduling software!
To conclude your business plan, add in a solid breakdown of your projected numbers, such as your budget, initial investment, and projected profits.
Explain how you plan to make your nail salon profitable.
It’s your salon, and you want the perfect name, right? One that clients will remember — one that’s uniquely you.
So when brainstorming the name of your salon, ask yourself a few questions:
Making sure your new nail salon business is legal is an important step.
There are a few licensing and insurance requirements to keep in mind.
Insurance requirements may vary state to state, but there’s no doubt you’ll need it. And there are at least two types of insurance you’ll likely need:
Opening up a bank account for your nail salon business ensures that your personal assets are separate from your business assets.
It also makes accounting easier and simplifies things come tax season.
Pro Tip*: Got tax questions? Don’t miss our* Ultimate List of Tax Prep Resources for Small Business Owners to get the answers you need. 😉
The nail salon business can involve a lot of cash transactions, so having a solid accounting system in place can be a life saver.
Some scheduling software can help you keep track of payments — cash, card, or otherwise — but for a more robust accounting system, it might be worth exploring options like QuickBooks or AccountEdge Pro.
Choosing your salon space can be a fun undertaking! Plus, you get to decorate it, too!
When finding your location, consider the following factors:
You’ll also want to consider all the equipment you need for your nail salon and be sure the space will accommodate all the tools you need.
Purchasing equipment and supplies for your nail salon might be a hefty upfront investment, but the right tools can make a huge difference.
To get your nail salon up and running, you’ll need the following pieces of equipment.
A lot can go into building a brand for your nail salon, but at its root, your salon brand is a way of translating your passion — and who you are — into something recognizable and absolutely you.
There are a few steps to take when crafting your salon’s brand…
Deep-dive into trends, tools, and hashtags that will take your brand – and small business – to the next level.
No doubt about it: Your clients are going to want to be able to easily book with you online.
So you’ll need to invest in a scheduling app that works for your business and your clients.
The more you work to build up and grow your salon, the more clients will see it, and the more likely clients will begin to recognize and remember your salon.
Think about what makes your business unique, then focus on that as you utilize all the online avenues you can to spread the good news about you and your brand new nail salon.