7 Steps to Begin Your Own Beauty Business

Are you thinking of opening a beauty business but are a little unsure of how to begin? Read on for 7 steps to begin your own beauty business that will not only get you off to a great start but will enable you to build a business that’s enjoyable and profitable too!

1. Get the essential skills under your belt

You can start a beauty business without having the essential skills but to make sure that your customers want to return again and again, you need to have the skills, the correct accreditation and you need to be good at what you’re doing. At Bela Beauty College, we offer a wide range of beauty courses online so that you can get up to speed with all the latest techniques, gain the practical experience you need and have the qualifications to prove that you’re trained and competent.

2. Understand the legalities

Opening a beauty business is not simply a case of setting up shop and treating your customers, there are the legal aspects of starting and running a business to consider too. You’ll need to ensure that you have all the necessary paperwork in place, including the correct licences and cosmetic regulations for the treatments you will be providing, plus business bank accounts, business numbers and insurance. Our courses include modules that cover all this and more.

3. Decide how you’re going to operate

Starting any business can involve significant financial outlay so you must decide how you’re going to operate and how to fund your start up. Are you going to offer services from home, as a mobile salon or will you be renting a space in a salon or your own salon? Deciding on the type of business you will run will not only help you to clarify how you want it to fit into your lifestyle but also the extent of your legal responsibilities.

4. Take a close look at your finances

Even if you absolutely love what you do, you’ll want to make a profit from your business. All businesses cost money to run, so you’ll need to factor these into your prices, so that get the profit you need. Things to consider include your equipment, solutions and products, transport or salon costs and, most importantly, your time. If you feel out of your depth dealing with the finances, you may want to seek professional help.

5. Don’t forget market research

There’s no doubt that the beauty business is booming but you still need to do a bit of market research to find out more about your target customers and your local competition and how they market themselves. Plus, you’ll need to keep up to date with the latest beauty trends and work out whether there is a gap in the market that you could fill.

6. Create and develop a brand

Building your brand is probably one of the most exciting steps. It’s this that will give you your identity and make you instantly recognisable in the market. But it’s not just about your business name, logo or brand colours. You also need to look at the bigger picture if you want to grow your business. Do you want your brand to be sophisticated and elegant? Bright and fun? Edgy and on-trend? Think about your target market and who you want to attract to your business.

7. Don’t forget the socials

Every business needs a home on social media. Your Facebook and Instagram accounts can advertise your services, showcase your work, and help you to network. That’s why already having a brand established will help you to become recognisable, so be sure to keep your branding consistent across all platforms. Your social media accounts can be used to post videos, create ‘stories’, offer tips, inform your clients about appointments, new products and everything to do with your business so be sure to keep them up to date.

And there you have it. Our 7 steps to setting up your beauty business. We wish you the very best of luck!