solo esthetician guide

2. Develop a business plan. Once you’ve done your research, it’s time to start developing your business plan. This document will outline your business goals, strategies, and how you plan on achieving them. Your business plan will be your roadmap to success, so make sure to take your time creating it.

3. Secure funding. Unless you have a large amount of personal savings, you will want to secure funding for your business. This can be done through loans, investors, or grants. There are a variety of funding options available, so do your research to find the best one for your business. Additional funds create speed to the goal but are not imperative. A business can be started with little money if you are creative and determined to make it happen. I myself started a multi-million-dollar business with $300 in the bank so, it can be done!

4. Choose your business structure. There are several different business structures to choose from, such as sole proprietorship, partnership, limited liability company (LLC), and corporation. Each option has its own advantages and disadvantages, so it is important to choose the one that makes the most sense for your business. Consider a C-Corp or an S-Corp, as these structures offer more tax flexibility and income distribution. Consult a tax attorney or CPA to determine which is best for you. Obtain an EIN (employer’s identification number), open a business bank account, and secure a business license, Aesthetics salon license, and insurance (general and worker’s comp, if hiring staff).

5. Create a marketing plan. No matter how great your products or services are, they will not sell themselves. That is why it’s important to create a marketing plan to promote your business. This plan should include traditional marketing methods, such as print and online advertising, as well as digital marketing tactics, like social media and email marketing. By following these steps, you will be on your way to starting a successful beauty business. Just remember to stay focused and dedicated, and this will help carve the pathway to achieving your goals.

When it comes to starting a business, there are a few additional points to keep in mind to set yourself up for success. Here is a bonus checklist to supplement important items when outlining your plan and getting ready to start implementation:

1. Location is key – choose a spot for your salon that is convenient and visible to potential customers.

2. Make sure you have the necessary licenses and permits in place before you open for business.

3. Invest in your own creativity to bring the vision of the space to life. Remember to consider how it will look, feel, and sound when you enter.

4. Stay in tune with your business plan so you know exactly what your goals are and how you will measure your progress toward achieving them. Remember to be flexible and willing to adapt to changes in the plan as issues arise.

5. It is advisable to build for the future and scalability for your brand. It is useful when creating the business plan to start with the end in mind, so you have the best foundations from which to grow.

6. If and when you want to expand by replicating yourself and having a team, hire experienced and talented staff members who will help contribute to the success of your salon.

7. If building a team, make sure you have the foundation of the culture you want to create and hire team members that share your values.

8. Keep your salon clean and organized at all times – first impressions matter!

9. Offer incentives for your services to encourage customers to choose your business over others.

10. Most importantly, focus on providing exceptional customer service to keep your clients coming back repeatedly. This is often the most overlooked aspect of implementation. If you are starting your own business, you likely have a unique set of skills that you wish to translate into your guest experience. If you are planning on scaling, creating an employee onboarding and training program is going to be highly valuable when it comes to how your guests’ experience is ultimately received.

Customer experience will be the crux of everything. If you can set yourself apart in the customer service category with exceptional delivery of the experience on par with a five-diamond resort, that will create the word of mouth and repeat business required for ultimate success. The way you make your guests feel will outlast any aesthetic or price you charge or place into your space. Bookend a warm greeting and a fond farewell to keep your space a sanctuary for you and your guests.