In 2021, the size of the beauty industry worth is placed at €9.8 billion by the European Cosmetic, Toiletry and Perfumery Data. It is estimated that health and beauty spending in the UK will rise to 8.8 per cent by 2024, amounting to an additional £2 billion. With the beauty market value of the UK natural and organic beauty industry in 2020 was £221 million. It is expected to reach £339 million by 2025.
But more than just the industry’s market value is increasing. The modern landscape has had an impact on the beauty industry, and people who love on-demand services are increasingly looking to get their facials, hair styled or nails painted at home, during a time frame that works best for them and their busy schedules.
While these services provide comfort and convenience for the client, the cheap expense of this business model benefits beauty therapists as well.
So, your love is enhancing the beauty of someone else’s hair, nails, skin and appearance! Well, read this article to find out how to start a thriving beauty hustle and provide your services to the general public.
1. Decide what services you want to offer.
There are a lot of beauty services that you can offer from home, but which ones should you provide? Do you want to focus on hair, facials, massage, makeup, or all? When starting out it is important to focus on your skillset, by focusing on your strengths, you’ll be able to offer the services that your clients are looking for—and that will help you build a thriving business.
Keep in mind that you can always expand your skill set as you and your business grow.
You might also think about customising your offerings for a certain market, such as by providing hair and makeup services solely for specific events or performances.
2. Qualifications &/or experience are essential.
In order to be able to provide quality services to your customers you will need to demonstrate that you have obtained the required amount of expertise either through experience, apprenticeship or other form of education.
Learn more about the qualifications needed for each trade by using the guides below:
Beauty therapist | Explore careers | National Careers Service
Beauty consultant | Explore careers | National Careers Service
Massage therapist | Explore careers | National Careers Service
Aromatherapist | Explore careers | National Careers Service
Barber | Explore careers | National Careers Service
Hairdresser | Explore careers | National Careers Service
Nail technician | Explore careers | National Careers Service
Make-up artist | Explore careers | National Careers Service
3. Who are your target audience & what are their needs?
As a beauty business, one of the most important things you can do is conduct market research to find your target audience. By understanding who your target audience is, you can better tailor your services and marketing to appeal to them. There are a few different ways to conducting market research. One way is to survey your current customers and ask them about their demographics, interests, and needs. Another way is to look at industry trends and analyse who is buying what products.
Once you have a good understanding of your target audience, you can start crafting your value proposition. This is a statement that highlights the unique benefits of your products or services and how they meet the needs of your target market. It’s important to keep your value proposition concise and clear, so that potential customers can quickly see how you can help them.
4. Putting together a business plan.
A realistic business plan will enable you to determine the cash you will need to set up and maintain your business, how you will thrive & grow, the resources you’ll need, and other things.
5. The legalities.
First, you will need to decide if you want to operate as a sole trader, partnership, or limited company. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages, so be sure to do your research before making a decision.
Once you’ve chosen the legal structure of your business, you’ll need to register with both companies house & HMRC.
Finally, make sure you have adequate insurance coverage for your business. This will protect you in case of any accidents or damages that occur while you’re working.
Finally, licensing requirements vary from council to council, so contact your local council early on to find out what licences your salon will need to have. For example, you may need licences to cover massage and special treatments, tattooing, piercing and electrolysis, and Botox. Some local authorities may require therapists to have an individual licence for certain treatments.
With all these factors in mind, you’re now ready to start your beauty hustle from home!
6. Start up.
Spend your start up money wisely, just as every artist requires the proper tools, every beautician needs the appropriate equipment and this is especially important if you work for yourself and want to leave a good, lasting impression on your clients. So, make sure to spend your start-up money wisely. It’s important to get the right equipment for the services you provide, but you don’t want to break the bank doing it. Try to avoid buying unnecessary or luxury equipment, for now.
7. Let people know you are here and what you are about.
When it comes to marketing your home beauty business, having a strong online presence is key. Platforms like Instagram and Facebook are great for sharing before-and-after photos, product information, and special offers.
To really attract clients and stand out from the competition, focus on branding. Your brand should be more than just a logo or colour scheme—it should reflect your unique values and mission. When clients can see that you’re passionate about what you do, they’ll be more likely to book an appointment again and again!
8. Managing your finances.
It’s important to make sure you have a separate bank account for your business. This will help you keep track of your income and expenses.
Also, try to limit your spending and hold off on making non-essential purchases until you absolutely need them. Don’t let bills or invoices go unpaid either; you need to be paid for your services & you should aim to establish positive working relationships with suppliers if you want them to continue doing business with you in the future.
9. Other skills.
Being self-employed forces you to wear several various hats, such as those for marketing, accounting, and social media. Check out our community knowledge hub for more tips & tricks!
