How To Start a Nail Salon Business at Home: 9 Practical Tips

There has never been a better time to start a nail business at home, as many professionals are moving away from salons. Starting a business alone can be extremely rewarding in the beauty industry, and nail care services have grown significantly in recent years.  Acpacording to statistics, in 2021, the global market for nail care products was worth $19.10 billion and is expected to grow even more.

There are many advantages to starting a nail salon business from home, including comfort,  lower initial costs, and the chance to develop a local and recurring clientele. 

Being your boss can be challenging, so here are some essential tips on how to start a nail business at home.

What do you need to open your nail salon business from home?

With lower overhead costs and the potential to expand your client base, starting a nail business from home is a great way to get started. Consider opening a separate store once you have established a loyal following. But until then, concentrate on learning how to start a nail salon from home. We’ve compiled these suggestions to help you gow and lay out a clear path to business success.

1. Research before starting

If you are considering how to start a nail salon business from home, market research is one of the first things you should think about doing when opening your nail business from home. Although you may already understand the market as a nail technician, learning more about local businesses, customers, and locations will help you narrow your focus. Here are some things to consider:

• Are there any existing nail technicians, beauty salons, or hair salons in the area?
• Who is your intended audience?
• What are the industry norms?
• Who are your competitors?
• What makes these salons successful?
• What are the most recent fads?

If you respond to each of these questions, you can improve your nail salon business concepts and comprehend your distinctive selling point. This is a specific feature that distinguishes you from other businesses. You can specialize in eco-friendly products, gel nails, and nail art or make your salon mobile for special events.

2. Consider the additional expenses

Even if starting a nail business from home can be a great way to earn extra income, it’s important to be aware of the additional expenses that come with running a nail business from home. 

Equipment and supplies

You will need to purchase equipment such as nail tables, chairs, nail lamps, and tools like files, buffers, and clippers. You will also need to invest in basic supplies such as nail polish, acrylics, gels, and other products.

Insurance

It is important to have liability insurance to protect yourself and your business in case of accidents or injuries. This type of insurance will protect you from any financial loss caused by your professional activities.

Maintenance and repairs

You will need to maintain your equipment and supplies in good working condition, which may require regular cleaning, repairs, and replacement of items that wear out over time.

Space modifications

You may need to modify your home to start your nail salon, such as adding electrical outlets, ventilation, or a sink.

3. Obtain licenses

Obtaining licenses for a home-based nail salon can vary depending on your location and the specific regulations in your area. To demonstrate that they adhere to the highest personal hygiene and sanitation standards, nail technicians need a license. Depending on state-specific requirements, you can obtain one by completing a course or taking an apprenticeship. You will be able to proceed with the specifics of starting your own nail salon business at home once you have obtained your certification and verified that your home-based business satisfies the requirements of the local Board of Cosmetology.

Nail business license

You must obtain a business license to operate your nail business from home legally. The process for obtaining a business license will typically involve filling out an application and paying a fee.

Nail salon permit

You may need to obtain a salon permit to offer certain services, such as nail treatments. This permit will allow you to offer these services legally and may require passing an exam or completing a certain level of training.

Liability insurance

As a business owner, it is important to have liability insurance to protect yourself and your business in case of accidents or injuries. This type of insurance will keep you away from any financial loss caused by your professional activities, such as injury to a customer.

4. Get your beginner nail technician kit

A beginner nail technician will need several key items in order to provide professional nail services. Here is a list of some essential items that a beginner nail technician should have:

• Nail polish and gels
• Manicure tools (scissors, nail files, spatulas, pencils, etc.)
• Nail polish thinner
• LED lamp
• Nail drills
• Sanitation and disinfection supplies
• A comfortable and ergonomic workstation

Professionals in the nail industry consider brands like OPI, NaCot, or Halo, as good products you should consider for your beginner kit.

5. Write your business plan

A business plan is an essential tool for any business, and it is important to take the time to create a detailed and realistic plan before starting your nail salon business at home. With a solid plan in place, you can increase your chances of success and achieve your goals for your business in the shortest time.

6. Establish your prices

You will have established in your nail salon business plan the kinds of costs you anticipate incurring regularly. As a result, you will now require a customer price list that you can use to raise funds to pay them. Think about how much you’ll need to charge on a regular basis to cover your expenses, as well as the products and services you offer that can make more money and attract a particular group of customers. Look back at your market research and use the opportunity to check up your competitors’ prices to see if they are in the same ballpark. Knowing what the average customer is willing to spend is essential.

7. Promote your business

Think about how you intend to promote your services to new customers. Check out your local and regional competitors. Consider combining offline and online marketing strategies, such as establishing a new website with offers and discounts for new customers or collaborating with other local businesses to combine promotions. In this era, word of mouth is a powerful marketing tool for any business, including nail salons from home. 

The best way to get people talking about your business is to provide excellent customer service. Make sure your clients leave happy and satisfied with the services you provided. You can also ask your clients to refer their friends and family to your salon. You can offer them a referral bonus, such as a discount on their next service or a free service for every referral they bring in. Another great way to promote your nail business is by encouraging your clients to leave reviews on platforms such as Yelp, Google, and Facebook. Positive reviews can help attract new customers and increase your online visibility.

8. Keep your schedule organized

If you are thinking about opening your nail salon at home, you may have a lot of fears and be nervous initially. Don’t worry, you don’t have to be. Download Goldie and things will be a lot easier for you. Goldie is all about giving entrepreneurs who have started their own businesses and working for themselves the tools they need to succeed. The software makes it easier for business owners worldwide to keep track of their appointments. Goldie is used by nail professionals to schedule appointments and reduce no-shows in their daily business life.

With Goldie, you can send them reminders of appointments to avoid no-shows, collect payments online or contactless with the Tap to Pay feature, and so much more. If you want to make your beginning easier in this industry, Goldie has you covered. Time is precious, and with this useful app, you can manage your time in the best way possible.

9. Have a strong presence on social media

Design your salon’s distinctive brand identity, develop a marketing plan to boost your visibility, and create your logo and branding. Because marketing never stops, you’ll need to keep working on this.  If you want your marketing strategy to be successful, branding is essential. A well-known brand and business can be quickly established with the help of a prominent logo and name. How will you promote your services and get people’s attention? For customers to find you online and to promote the nail salon business you have at home, you must have a website and a strong social media presence. In your marketing materials, make sure that every important information, like your location, online booking page, and working hours, is easily accessible. Your business visibility will rise due to regular updates to your business blog and the sharing of photos on Instagram. A new nail salon business venture is not for the faint-hearted.

Conclusion

You should now know the steps required to open a nail salon business from home before you start your entrepreneurial journey. Although you will need to make an initial investment, once your nail business is up and running, you can anticipate a consistent income stream. To keep customers returning, it’s critical to set yourself apart from the competition and provide a unique service. Value-for-money offerings could also make a difference. You can quickly scale and expand this business with a creative marketing campaign. Now is the time to carry it out and make your nail salon business from home shine.