Starting your own nail business from scratch isn’t a walk in the park - you need to figure out who your potential clients are going to be, what type of business model you’ll have (meaning: will you be a solo or a salon-based specialist) and your location. And that doesn’t include purchasing equipment and products, investing in marketing activities and so on, mainly because you need to start small - with a business license. That’s right - just because you have finished your nail technician courses doesn’t mean you can just go about treating clients and making money!
It's going to be stressful and there will be times when you begin to regret ever picking up a bottle of nail polish in the first place - but don’t let this stop you! You’ve got your VTCT level 3 diploma and worked hard for it, now it’s time to keep at it! Bear in mind that in order to provide basic pedicures and manicures, you’re required to have a business license. It’s recommended that you contact your local council to find out how much it will cost you.
The number of business licenses you will be required to have depends on what you would like to do. When it comes to nail salons, you are required to obtain massage and special premises licenses which, apart from manicures and pedicures, allow you to offer piercing services, special treatments such as chiropody, massages, beauty treatments and services that involve lasers or pulsed lights. Other, less-common licenses cover being able to play music in your premises, processing personal information on staff and clients, advertising via an ad board and utilising CCTV systems. Most salon owners usually end up paying for a handful of licenses, here are some of the more common ones:
If you’d like to find out where to get a business license for a nail salon and which ones you’re required to have in order to legally operate, visit the gov.uk and try the license finder.
Now that you have your required nail business license, you’re almost ready to open your salon’s doors! But before you do so, you need to look into other expenditures - namely insurance plans, nail salon furniture, staff salaries, equipment, remodelling costs, and a reliable salon system. When it comes to finding equipment and furniture, consider buying from a store or second hand. As for insurance plans, go online and search for reputable insurance agencies in your area. And when looking for nail salon software, choose a reliable solution. Booksy is ideal for both nail salons that are starting up and those which have been in business for years. As you can see, getting your business licenses is only the first step to bringing your nail salon to life!
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