In the past couple of years, beauty salons have been among the fastest growing businesses in the UK. In particular, the nail industry is booming, as clients look for unique manicures they can show off, as well as treat themselves to a little extra pampering in their busy week.
The opportunity is there – but, you have to be prepared to work for it! Starting up your own nail business takes a lot of thought, research and training if you want to make a success of it.
For those thinking about it, we’ve put together a guide full of information on how to set up your own nail business from home…
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When setting up a nail business in the UK, there are a few important steps you need to take first to ensure your business is established properly and legally…
If you are just doing a few nail sets for friends in your living room, you probably don’t need to register yourself as a business.
But, if you are ready to start growing into a fully profitable nail technician, you will need to keep track of your earnings and ensure you declare them for tax.
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When just starting up, many nail technicians set themselves up as a sole trader. This means you are now self-employed and personally responsible for all of your businesses finances.
However, remember that this only applies when you start making over £1, 000 from self-employment. So, be sure to keep track of your businesses finances so you know when you reach this point.
Public liability insurance is the most important when starting a new nail business. It covers all accidents that could occur during your treatments, whether a client experiences an allergic reaction or hurts themselves on your premises.
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Employers liability insurance is a legal requirement if you have any employees – which perhaps isn’t as likely if you have a new business.
If you are investing in your own salon premises, consider property insurance to protect it against any unpredictable damage. If you are setting up your nail business at home or are working mobile, getting insurance to cover loss of earnings due to sickness or injury is also a good idea to ensure you aren’t left out of pocket.
Writing a well-thought out business plan should be a priority before you make any more decisions. It’s also particularly important if you want to try and get investment or a loan for your start up.
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Try and keep your business plan concise, making it clear what your business is, how it will make money, and the steps you will take to achieve this.
It’s important to include a financial plan, too. Set yourself a realistic budget for all of your outgoings and the profit you will aim to achieve.
There are plenty of resources available to help you write your business plan – take a look at the government website for a start.
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So, don’t underestimate how much time you will need to put into marketing – allow yourself a set number of hours every week to work on it.
Start by laying out a marketing plan. Decide on who your ideal client and target audience are, then get thinking about ways to reach them. Some of these ways might require a budget, so factor this into your business plan.
Don’t forget about the power of social media, either. Set up a Facebook account for your business and make sure it has all your essential information – how to find you, your opening hours, contact details etc.
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The great thing about nail businesses is that they are very visual by nature. So, leveraging Instagram to your advantage can help out, too. Do your best to create and share content as frequently as possible, creating a portfolio of your work. Take a look at Nails by Annabel to see how this nail tech turned herself into a whole brand.
In the UK, there is no specific qualification you need to take to be able to start a nail business. However, you
So, while you could in theory be a self-taught nail technician, it is not recommended. A proper nail course will cover all the essential elements you will need to know, from properly applying nail enhancements to a high standard, to hygiene, health and safety and client care.
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The best qualifications to start with are a level 2 or 3 certificate in nail technology or nail treatments. You can study for this in a college, which often will have entry requirements before you can enrol, such as a number of GCSEs or previous beauty qualifications.
It can take up to a year to complete a level 2 certificate in nail technology. You can find both full-time and part-time courses that best suit your needs.
You might find courses that are shorter, but they may not be in-depth enough to satisfy insurers. Always check the course syllabus to make sure you are paying for a comprehensive nail course.
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Once you have your initial nail qualification, you might well be ready to start with your business. However, remember that learning and training never really comes to an end as a nail technician! It’s important to continue refining your skills and learning new techniques to ensure your business stays on top of its game.
In 2019, it was reported that 60% of new businesses go bust within 3 years – but, that doesn’t have to be the fate of your nail start-up!
Nail salon competition is fierce, but so long as you have a solid plan, keep control over your finances and do your market research, you will be in the best place possible to make a profit.
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From the outset, do what you can to differentiate yourself from other nail businesses in the area. Maybe you could be the first to offer vegan nail services or your focus is on eco-friendly beauty. This will really help you stand out and give you a good marketing hook.
When first starting out, you will have to accept the fact that your nail business won’t be hugely profitable straight away. To build up a client base, your prices will need to be kept lower to attract some interest. Many new nail businesses use an introductory offer to get off the ground.
There are other ways you can make a profit out of your nail business, too. Retailing nail products to your clients can add a new stream, especially if you have products to help them maintain their manicure at home.
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As you gain more experience, you could even look into offering training services to new nail technicians. Or, expanding your horizons, you could hire yourself out for parties, fashion events or even cruise ships!
Find out how bridal stylist Hannah Taylor and beauty expert Cheryl Taylor took the step into education in our Ask the Expert series.
Following on from asking whether your nail business will be profitable, the next step is to ensure you are charging the right amount for your services.
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It’s a good idea to research your other nail businesses in your area to see how much they charge for their services, but it’s important that you don’t meet them just because you think that you should.
Prices for nail services vary depending on a number of factors. Gel and acrylic nails can cost anywhere from £15 to £50 based on the location of the salon, experience of the nail technician and quality of products used.
First of all, you need to know how much profit you have to make to support not only your business, but yourself. When working out the cost of a single treatment, be sure to factor in
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Once you know the cost of each treatment, factor in the cost of National Insurance contributions and taxes or any loan repayments. Then, figure out how much profit you would need to make a living before finalising a price that works for you.
There is one more big decision to make when thinking about starting up your own nail business – where will you be based?
There are a few main options to consider; setting yourself up in a salon, becoming a mobile nail technician or offering nail services from home.
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When first starting up your nail business, it’s usually best to wait until you are more established before investing a large amount of money in your own salon. Try starting out with one of the other models first.
There is going to be a long list of items you are going to need as a beginner nail tech opening up business for the first time.If you love nails and are thinking about enrolling in a nail technician program, researching possible careers could be an important part in making your decisions going forward. From trims and polishes, to miniature nail art, nail technicians have the chance to work in an exciting field doing a variety of tasks. We’ve compiled a list of potential careers you could pursue in manicuring once you finish school. Check them out and see what might be the best fit for you.
Thinking about nails, your mind probably jumps to a salon. Salons and spas are the most conventional types of careers for
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