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How to Start a Salon Business from Home

If your dream is to work from home having your own nail salon business, why not start today?

There is nothing that stops you from fulfilling your dream.

Here are the steps to follow.

It’s not going to cost you a lot of money, but it will take time and patience during the initial stages when you are setting up the business.

Without realizing it, you’ve already completed the most challenging step of starting your salon business—you became a qualified nail technician.

If you aren’t a nail tech yet, don't worry because you can always be an owner and 

So, you’ve already accomplished step one—becoming a qualified nail technician.

Let’s move on to the next step.

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Use Your Dream to Create a Business Plan

A business plan is essential for any type of business.

The word business plan may sound daunting to you, but it is basically describing your dream in detail.

  • Have you visualized what your salon would look like? Then, describe it in your business plan including what equipment and products you will need. 
  • What kind of services are you going to offer? What in addition to a standard manicure and pedicure will clients receive? Are you going to provide specialized manicures and pedicures? Will you offer gel overlays, nail extensions, hard gel, soft gel, acrylic, fiber or silk? What about nail art?
  • What will the startup cost be? What type of expenses will you have to make to transform a room into a salon? How are you going to access water? Will there be a separate entrance to the salon? 
  • What are your fees? Working from home is a wise decision for a nail salon business owner. You may give the same quality service then a nail salon in a mall could but with less overhead costs. Another benefit is that you can create an atmosphere that makes clients feel relaxed. Make sure your fee structure is on par with industry standards. You can ask less than a mall salon to be more competitive but don’t hurt your business and the industry by asking very low fees—you provide the same quality service than a nail technician working in the mall.
  • How much time do you have? Decide how many hours you are going to work? What time will your salon open in the morning? Are you going to be open half-day or a full day? Will you be working on weekends? 
  • How are you going to promote your services? Marketing is vital to draw clients to your salon. How are you going to achieve this? 

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Finding Clients and Promoting Your Salon Business 

Marketing is essential for your salon business to grow. Spend time and decide how you are going to advertise your business? Are you going to use social media, a website, advertise locally, or word-by-mouth?

You should allocate a large part of your budget for marketing. The more you invest in marketing, the greater the outcome. How you invest, however, is key. Take the time to research and decide where you will find clients.

  • Social Media. Choose one or two social media platforms potential clients frequent. If your clients are on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Pinterest, then promote your salon business on these platforms. Post regularly with engaging content. 
  • Website. One of the greatest benefits of the internet is the ability for small business owners to compete with large businesses. Have a web designer create a website. If your budget is tight or you know how to create a website on a platform like WordPress. There are numerous free templates that enable you to create a website fast. 
  • Online content. Blogs, vlogs, and articles are great ways to show your expertise by giving clients helpful tips. 
  • What else? What do clients read, watch, or where do they hang out? Their habits and routines may present great advertising opportunities. Be creative and think out of the box. 


If you have no idea about marketing, try outsource marketing. 

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Legal and Insurance Aspects

You may want to shy away from the legalities of owning a salon business but don’t.

  • Sole Proprietor or LLC. Decide what type of business entity you are going to operate under. As a sole proprietor, you are personally liable. It is, however a simpler and faster business entity to set up.
  • Insurance. Decide on the best insurance policy that will protect you, your premises, and your customers. 
  • Certification. Professional certification shows customers that you are qualified, that they can trust you. 
  • Permits and Licenses. Find out what your State’s regulations and requirements are for running a nail salon business from home. Adhere to the rules; they are there for a reason. 


When the business essentials are out of the way, you can focus on your clients, giving them the best service possible. After all, a happy client is a returning client and they will refer others to you.

Referrals are the best way to grow a business.