When it comes to owning a business, the beginning stage always seems to be the most challenging. Starting a nail salon is no different. It can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re unsure of what you need to run the business.
The first step is, of course, to get a license. However, knowing the right equipment and tool to stock up on is where the challenge lies. To help you with this task, here’s a list of everything you’ll need to open your nail salon.
1. Make provisions for a healthy workspace.
Before purchasing any equipment, first, plan how to make your workspace healthy. You see, nail salons deal with many activities that could easily lead to indoor air pollution, and that pollution can cause a range of health problems. From the use of cosmetic products that release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) to filling and shaping nails that release dust mites, it’s easy for a nail salon to become a toxic environment.
Staying in an environment like this can lead to allergies, provoke one’s asthma, and cause shortness of breath. This is why it’s vital to maintain clean air. The best way to ensure you have a healthy workspace is by carrying out an air quality test. You can use an indoor air quality monitor, like a carbon monoxide detector or an air purifier. The end goal is to ensure the health and safety of you, your staff, and your clients.
2. Stock up on nail essentials.
Put together a list of nail essentials you’ll need for the day-to-day running of your business. These should typically include nail files, buffers, different types (and colors) of nail polish, nail glue, nail polish removers, cotton wool, moisturizers, towels, nail clippers, and press on nails.
Also, don’t forget to add other related items like paper towels, EPA registered hospital disinfectants, antibacterial and antifungal soaps, and autoclaves. Remember that these aren’t one-time purchases, so you may want to retain this list for easy stock taking and replacements. Furthermore, you’ll need to stay up to date with nail trends to meet your customers’ ever-changing demands (for example, demand for trending gel nails).
Also, be aware that at-home and DIY nail care is a big trend. With this in mind, adding press on to the list of things you sell in your nail salon is a good idea. Besides, only a few nail salons make 100% gains from solely manicures and pedicures. Therefore, selling beauty products like lotions, exfoliating tools, false nails, and nail polishes will increase your revenue.
3. Ensure workstations are comfortable.
Comfortable workstations are one of the non-negotiable things you’ll need when opening a nail salon. This is where all the nail magic will happen; therefore, providing customers with a comfortable setup should be a priority. A nail salon station should typically have a manicure table for all the nail polish and tools. Furthermore, a reclining seat with footrests is also vital.
With the right equipment in place, it’s now time to spruce up your décor. An excellent place to start is by installing salon mirrors. Besides livening up your space, mirrors can also make your salon look more spacious. However, be careful when choosing a salon mirror, as your choice of mirror size will depend on the location you want to place it. For instance, a full-length mirror will be great in the reception area, while your workstations should have desk mirrors with LED lights.
3. Have an efficient team on hand.
With everything else in place, you’ll need an efficient team to get your business up and running. Hire qualified technicians with years of experience (if possible) to ensure that they do the job right. Remember, your business niche is within the service industry, and as such, you’ll be dealing with customers daily. Therefore, your team should be qualified enough to offer nothing short of premium customer service to your clients.
You’ll need nail technicians for manicures and pedicures. You’ll also need sales assistants, cleaners to keep your salon sparkling, and administrative staff for scheduling appointments. To ensure you hire qualified hands you should try to have one-on-one interviews with applicants to understand their character and personality. You can also conduct tests to ensure that an applicant’s credentials match the skills, and don’t forget to confirm their experience with references. Lastly, remember to create a good company culture to keep your employees motivated and efficient. You can also reward performing employees with commissions and other incentives.
As with any kind of business, starting a nail salon business is no easy feat. However, following these tips will ensure you cover all the basics and much more. In summary, health, comfort, and the right tools and team are the most important you’ll need to start a salon. Once you have these in place, it’s time to develop a marketing strategy and open your doors to clients.