mobile nail salon business plan

Mobile Nail Salon Business Plan [Sample Template]

By: Author Tony Martins Ajaero

Home » Business ideas » Beauty Care Industry » Nail Salon

Are you about starting a mobile nail salon? If YES, here is a complete sample mobile nail salon business plan template & feasibility report you can use for FREE .

Okay, so we have considered all the requirements for starting a mobile nail salon. We also took it further by analyzing and drafting a sample mobile nail salon marketing plan template backed up by actionable guerrilla marketing ideas for mobile nail salons. So let’s proceed to the business planning section .

Launching a mobile nail salon business could be fun, profitable and at the same time exciting for someone who is skilled in the trade. With the right location, top-notch services and good marketing skills, you can serve a large customer base especially those who feel comfortable having their nails made right in their houses or at any location of their choice.

In as much as starting a mobile nail salon may not require huge startup capital, but it requires solid planning and attention to details in order to keep your business profitable.

Mobile nail salon business eliminates the need for a physical business location, therefore limiting startup costs considerably. An aspiring entrepreneur can successfully start a mobile nail salon business with inexpensive supplies and tools and grow as need arises.

As a mobile manicure and pedicure specialist, you will perform your jobs in customer’s homes, hotels, hostels, campgrounds and any private location, giving you the advantage of visibility for marketing purposes. The downside includes having to travel with all necessary tools and supplies, including large quantities of water.

Just like any other business, the demand for mobile nail salon services usually declined during economic downturn due to the declining household spending on beauty and grooming services. As the economy grows, and income increases, there will be corresponding increase in the demand for hairdressing and beauty related services.

Below is a sample mobile nail salon business plan template that can help you to successfully write your own with little or no hassle.

A Sample Mobile Nail Salon Business Plan Template

1. industry overview.

The Hair and Nail Salon industry of which mobile nail salon belongs to includes salons that primarily offer hair care services such as haircutting, hair coloring and hairstyling services. Additionally, most hair salons usually provide other related services such as manicure and pedicure, facials and makeup applications (except permanent makeup) and retail beauty products.

The Hair and Nail Salon industry has managed to untie its early post recessionary knots. No doubt, the positive change in consumer sentiment and per capita disposable income have boosted industry growth and revenue in recent years. This has also led to increased demand for ancillary services such as hair modification treatments (e.g. straightening procedures and perms), skin-care services and massages.

Going forward, the industry is forecast to exhibit more steady growth. Per capita disposable income and consumer confidence will keep rising as unemployment rate continues to decline, providing consumers with more discretionary income for luxury services at nail salons.

The Hair and Nail Salons industry of which mobile nail salon business belongs to is indeed a growing industry and pretty much thriving in all the parts of the world. As a matter of fact, there are no companies with a leading market share in the industry.

Statistics has it that in the united states of America alone, there are about 1,002,479 licensed and registered hair and nail salons (mobile nail salon businesses inclusive) responsible for employing about 1,400,744 employees and the industry rakes in a whooping sum of $42 billion annually with an annual growth rate projected at 1.3 percent.

The Hair and Nail Salons industry has been busy with cosmetic improvements over the last five years. Although demand, especially for the industry’s luxury services such as permanent hair texture modification, manicure and pedicure services, facials and massages, stagnated during the early recovery period, demand for industry services grew steadily over the last five years.

With consumer confidence rising, the period of economic recovery has consumers returning to hair and nail salons for such discretionary services. Consequently, the revenue generated in the industry is projected to increase at an average annual rate of 1.3 percent to $42.4 billion over the next five years.

Lastly, if you have plans to start your own mobile nail salon business in any part of the United States, you must ensure that you do your due diligence so that you won’t have to struggle to gain the confidence of your potential market.

2. Executive Summary

At Your Service™ Mobile Nail Salon is a registered mobile nail salon business that is incorporated under the law of the United States of America. Even though our core business is mobile nail salon, we will secure a small office facility (manicure and pedicure studio) in a densely populated business district in the heart of Baton Rouge – Louisiana, U.S. We are strategically positioned in between a residential center and a growing business district and we are set to service the whole of the community.

Our basic service offering to our highly esteemed customers as a mobile nail salon company will revolve around manicure and pedicure services at any location as requested by our clients. Our intention of starting a mobile nail salon business is to offer only the above stated services, but we will not close our doors to diversification (additional services) as long as it does not affect our core services.

At Your Service™ Mobile Nail Salon is passionate in the pursuit of excellence and financial success with uncompromising services and integrity which is why we have decided to start our own mobile nail salon business.

We are quite optimistic that our values and quality of service offering will help us drive our mobile hair salon business to enviable heights and also help us attract the number of clients that will make the business highly profitable. We are a company that will be dedicated to establishing good business relationship with our clients giving them value for their money and reasons for them to hire our services over and over again.

We are quite aware that in order to become the number one choice in our city, we must continue to deliver quality and affordable services and that is exactly what we will do. We are open to the use of latest technology in the Hair and Nail Salons industry. No doubt our excellent customer service, honesty and the range of services we offer will position us to always welcome repeated customers.

At Your Service™ Mobile Nail Salon is owned and managed by Ms. Zoe Adolphus and her immediate family members. Ms. Zoe Adolphus is a manicure and pedicure specialist par excellence, she has over 5 years’ experience managing some of the leading hair and nail salons in different cities in the United States of America prior to starting At Your Service™ Mobile Nail Salon.

3. Our Products and Services

At Your Service™ Mobile Nail Salon is a well – equipped mobile nail salon company that offers a wide range of services that revolves around the nails care and other complementary services. We intend giving our customers every reason to always hire our services which is why we have customized our services. Basically, our services will involve us going out to services of clients’ needs.

We will ensure that we do all that is permitted by the law in the United States to achieve our business aim and goals. These are the services we will offer as a mobile nail salon company;

• Manicure and pedicure services
• Resale of merchandise and nail related cosmetic products
• Other complimentary services

4. Our Mission and Vision Statement

• Our Vision is to become the leading mobile nail salon company in the whole of Baton Rouge – Louisiana and with active presence in major cities in the United States of America.
• Our mission as a mobile nail salon company is to develop a highly successful and profitable mobile nail salon that provides quality manicure and pedicure services in our community, and to become a standard for an ideal mobile nail salon business not only in the State of Louisiana but also throughout the United States of America.

Our Business Structure

We are quite aware that the success of any business lies in the foundation on which the business is built on, which is why we have decided to build our mobile nail salon company on the right business foundation.

We want to build a business of dedicated workforce who will go all the way to ensure that our customers are satisfied and they get value for their money. We aware that it takes a business with the right employees and structure to achieve all what we have set to achieve, which is why will be putting structures and processes in place that will help us deliver excellent services and run the business on auto pilot. The success of our mobile hair salon business will be anchored on the team not on any individual.

With the wide range of our service offerings, we are expected to employ more than is required to run a conventional mobile nail salon business. At Your Service™ Mobile Nail Salon Company will employ professionals and skilled people to occupy the following positions;

• Manager (Owner)

Accountant/Cashier

Marketing and Sales Executive

Client Service Executive

• Field Workers (Mobile Pedicure and Manicure Specialists) (6)

5. Job Roles and Responsibilities

Manager (Owner):

• Responsible for providing direction for the business
• Creates, communicates, and implements the organization’s vision, mission, and overall direction – i.e. leading the development and implementation of the overall organization’s strategy.
• Responsible for fixing prices and signing business deals and payment of salaries
• Responsible for signing checks and documents on behalf of the company
• Evaluates the success of the organization
• Responsible for managing the daily activities in the organization
• Carries out induction for new team members
• Responsible for overseeing the smooth running of HR and administrative tasks for the organization
• Regularly hold meetings with key stakeholders (clients and member of the board) to review the effectiveness of the business Policies, Procedures and Processes
• Maintains office supplies by checking stocks; placing and expediting orders; evaluating new products
• Oversees the smooth running of the daily activities of organization
• Identifies, prioritizes, and reaches out to new clients, and business opportunities et al
• Identifies development opportunities; follows up on development leads and contacts; participates in the structuring and financing of projects; assures the completion of projects.
• Writes winning proposal documents, negotiate fees and rates in line with organizations’ policy
• Responsible for handling business research, market surveys and feasibility studies for clients
• Responsible for supervising implementation, advocate for the customer’s needs, and communicate with clients
• Develops, executes and evaluates new plans for expanding sales
• Documents all customer contact and information
• Helps to increase sales and growth at At Your Service™ Mobile Nail Salon Company
• Responsible for preparing financial reports, budgets, and financial statements for the organization
• Provides managements with financial analyses, development budgets, and accounting reports; analyzes financial feasibility for the most complex proposed projects; conducts market research to forecast trends and business conditions
• Responsible for financial forecasting and risks analysis
• Performs cash management, general ledger accounting, and financial reporting for the organization
• Responsible for developing and managing financial systems and policies
• Responsible for administering payrolls
• Ensures compliance with taxation legislation
• Handles all financial transactions for At Your Service™ Mobile Nail Salon Company
• Serves as internal auditor for At Your Service™ Mobile Nail Salon Company
• Welcomes clients and visitors by greeting them in person or on the telephone; answering or directing inquiries.
• Ensures that all contacts with clients (e-mail, walk-In center, SMS or phone) provides the client with a personalized customer service experience of the highest level
• Through interaction with clients on the phone, uses every opportunity to build client’s interest in the company’s products and services
• Manages administrative duties assigned by the manager in an effective and timely manner
• Consistently stays abreast of any new information on the organizations’ products and, promotional campaigns etc. to ensure accurate and helpful information is supplied to clients when they make enquiries

Field Workers (Mobile Manicure and Pedicure Specialist) (6):

• Responsible for handling manicure and pedicure services
• Responsible for recommending and selling nails related cosmetic products to customers
• Handle any other duty as assigned by the manager

Van Driver:

• Responsible for transporting equipment, supplies and workers to work site
• Runs errand for the organization
• Handles any other duty as assigned by the manager

6. SWOT Analysis

It is important to note that mobile nail salon business is one of the many businesses that can easily generate sales with little stress as long as they are well positioned and equipped to carry out their services. We are building a standard mobile nail salon business with a variety of nail care services which is why we have decided to subject our business idea to SWOT Analysis.

We can successfully run a normal mobile nail salon business without going through the required protocol of setting up a new business including writing a detailed business plan, but because of the nature of the kind of mobile nail salon business we want to establish, we don’t have any option other than to follow due process.

We hired the services of a HR and Business consultant with bias in startups to help us conduct SWOT analysis for our company and he did a good job for us. Here is a of the result we got from the SWOT analysis that was conducted on behalf of At Your Service™ Mobile Nail Salon Company, Baton Rouge – Louisiana;

At Your Service™ Mobile Nail Salon Company is centrally located in a densely populated residential estate in Baton Rouge – Louisiana; our location is in fact one of our major strengths. We have state of the art mobile nail salon equipment and tools and we are also one of the very few mobile nail salons in the whole of Baton Rouge – Louisiana that offers a wide range of manicure and pedicure services for both households and corporate clients.

Another strength that counts for us is the power of our team. We have a team of experts in the hair and nail salons industry, a team of hardworking and dedicated individuals who have the magic wand to grow a new business to become a national phenomenon.

At Your Service™ Mobile Nail Salon Company is a new business which is owned by an individual, and we may not have the financial muscle to sustain the kind of publicity we want to give our business. As a new business, we are also quite aware that it will take time for us to build trust with our clients since the business entails them opening their doors to us.

• Opportunities:

We are centrally located in one of the largest residential areas in Baton Rouge – Louisiana and we are open to all the available opportunities that the city has to offer. Our business concept also positioned us to be a one stop shop in the mobile nail salon line of business.

The truth is that there is no standard mobile nail salon business within the area where ours is going to cover; the closest mobile hair salon company to our proposed location is about 6 miles away. In a nutshell, we do not have any direct competition within our target market area.

Some of the threats that are likely going to confront At Your Service™ Mobile Nail Salon Company are unfavorable government policies , seasonal fluctuations, demographic/social factors, downturn in the economy which is likely going to affect consumers spending and of course emergence of new competitors within the same location where our target clients are located.

7. MARKET ANALYSIS

• Market Trends

The Hair and Nail Salon industry has managed to untie its early post recessionary knots. No doubt, the positive change in consumer sentiment and per capita disposable income have boosted the industry growth and revenue in recent years. This has also led to increased demand for ancillary services of standard manicure and pedicure.

Going forward, the industry is forecast to exhibit more steady growth. Per capita disposable income and consumer confidence will keep rising as the unemployment rate continues to decline, providing consumers with more discretionary income for luxury services at hair and nail salons.

The trend in the hair and nail salons industry is that most nail studios in a bid to survive the recent global economic meltdown included additional services to their core service offerings.

Some nail salons include complimentary services such as retailing manicure and pedicure related cosmetics and beauty products, and grooming services amongst many others. It is much easier for nail salons and mobile nail salons to increase their revenues by diversifying as against increasing the scope of their market.

8. Our Target Market

Prior to choosing a location for our mobile nail salon business, we conducted our feasibility studies and market survey and we were able to identify those who will benefit greatly from our service offerings. Essentially, those who will benefit from our service offering are households, hotels, hospitals, hostels, and camp grounds et al. They cut across different sectors of the economy.

The demographic component of those who need the services of mobile nail salons spread across the public and private sector, and individuals from different strata of the society. Below is a list of the people and organizations that our mobile hair salon services are designed for;

• Celebrities
• Busy business men and women
• Corporate Executives
• Business People
• Camp grounds

Our Competitive Advantage

Mobile nail salon business is easy to set up and does not require huge capital base to achieve; anybody can set a mobile nail salon business if they have the required skills. It means that the possibility of a mobile nail salon business springing up in the location where our mobile nail salon is located is high. We aware of this which is why we decided to come up with a business concept that will position us to become the market leader in the whole of Baton Rouge – Louisiana.

Our competitive edge is that we are standard mobile nail salon business that has loads of complimentary business offerings that can help us attract customers within the radius of our mobile nail salon business operations.

For the time being, At Your Service™ Mobile Nail Salon has no real competitors that can match the quality of services we offer. Our customer service will be customized to meet the needs of all our customers.

Lastly, all our employees will be well taken care of, and their welfare package will be among the best within our category in the industry. It will enable them to be more than willing to build the business with us and help deliver our set goals and achieve all our business aims and objectives.

9. SALES AND MARKETING STRATEGY

• Sources of Income

Our company is established with the aim of maximizing profits in the hair and nail industry and we are going to go all the way out to ensure that we do all it takes to attract clients on a regular basis. At Your Service™ Mobile Nail Salon Company will generate income by offering the following services;

• Resale of nail care related merchandise and cosmetic products

10. Sales Forecast

We are well positioned to take on the available market in Baton Rouge – Louisiana and we are quite optimistic that we will meet our set target of generating enough income/profits from the first six months of operation and grow our mobile nail salon business and our clientele base.

We have been able to critically examine the mobile nail salon market and we have analyzed our chances in the industry and we have been able to come up with the following sales forecast. The sales projection is based on information gathered on the field and some assumptions that are peculiar to similar start – ups in Baton Rouge – Louisiana.

• First Fiscal Year: $150,000
• Second Fiscal Year: $350,000
• Third Fiscal Year: $550,000

N.B : This projection was done based on what is obtainable in the hair salons industry and with the assumption that there won’t be any major economic meltdown and there won’t be any major competitor offering same additional services as we do within same location. Please note that the above projection might be lower and at the same time it might be higher.

• Marketing Strategy and Sales Strategy

The marketing strategy adopted by At Your Service™ Mobile Nail Salon is going to be driven basically by excellent customer service, honesty and quality service delivery. We will ensure that we build a loyal customer base. We want to drive sales via the output of our jobs and via referral from our satisfied customers. We are quite aware of how satisfied customers drive business growth especially businesses like mobile nail salon services.

At Your Service™ Mobile Nail Salon is a mobile nail salon business that is strategically located and we are going to maximize the opportunities that are available to us which is why we spent more to locate the business in a location that will be visible and enable us to access our target market.

Our sales and marketing team will be recruited based on their vast experience in the industry and they will be trained on a regular basis so as to be well equipped to meet their targets and the overall goal of At Your Service™ Mobile Nail Salon.

Our goal is to grow At Your Service™ Mobile Nail Salon to become the leading mobile nail salon company in Baton Rouge – Louisiana which is why we have mapped out strategies that will help us take advantage of the available market and grow to become a major force to reckon with in the hair and nail salon industry.

At Your Service™ Mobile Nail Salon is set to make use of the following marketing and sales strategies to attract clients;

• Introduce our mobile nail salon business by sending introductory letters alongside our brochure to households, hotels, hospitals, hostels, and camp grounds et al and key stake holders in Baton Rouge – Louisiana.
• Print out fliers and business cards and strategically drop them in offices, libraries, public facilities and train stations et al.
• Use friends and family to spread word about our business
• Post information about our company and the services we offer on bulletin boards in places like schools, libraries, and local coffee shops et al
• Placing a small or classified advertisement in the newspaper, or local publication about our company and the services we offer
• Leverage on referral networks
• Advertise our mobile nail salon company in relevant magazines, newspapers, TV and radio stations
• Attend relevant expos, seminars, and business fairs et al to market our services
• Engage in direct marketing approach
• Encourage the use of Word of mouth marketing from loyal and satisfied customers
• Join local chambers of commerce and industry to market our services

11. Publicity and Advertising Strategy

At Your Service™ Mobile Nail Salon Company is set to create a standard for mobile nail salon business in Baton Rouge – Louisiana and throughout the United States which is why we will go all the way to apply best practices to promote our business.

Good enough, there is no hard and fast rule on how to advertise or promote a mobile nail salon business. The challenge is that most mobile nail salon companies do not have the required money to pump into publicity and advertising. The cash they have is reserved to take care of overhead and operational cost.

We will ensure that we leverage on all conventional and non – conventional publicity and advertising techniques to promote our mobile nail salon business. Here are the platforms we intend leveraging on to promote and advertise At Your Service™ Mobile Nail Salon Company;

• Encourage our loyal customers to help us use Word of Mouth mode of advertisement (referrals)
• Advertise our mobile nail salon business in relevant magazines, local newspaper, local TV  and radio stations
• Promote our business online via our official website and employ strategies to pull crowd to the website on a regular basis
• List our business on local directories (yellow pages)
• Sponsor relevant community programs
• Leverage on the internet and social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, twitter, et al to promote our brand
• Install our billboards in strategic locations in and around Baton Rouge – Louisiana
• Leverage on direct coupon mailing approach
• Engage in roadshows from time to time in target communities all around Baton Rouge – Louisiana
• Distribute our fliers and handbills in target areas all around Baton Rouge – Louisiana.

12. Our Pricing Strategy

Our pricing system is going to be based on what is obtainable in the hair and nail salon industry cum mobile nail salon line of business, we don’t intend to charge more (except for premium and customized services) and we don’t intend to charge less than our competitors are offering in Baton Rouge – Louisiana.

Be that as it may, we have put plans in place to offer discount services once in a while and also to reward our loyal customers especially when they refer clients to us. The prices of our services will be same as what is obtainable in the open market knowing fully well that home services attract extra charges compared to what a conventional nail salon would charge.

• Payment Options

The payment policy adopted by At Your Service™ Mobile Nail Salon is all inclusive because we are quite aware that different customers prefer different payment options as it suits them but at the same time, we will ensure that we abide by the financial rules and regulation of the United States of America.

Here are the payment options that At Your Service™ Mobile Nail Salon will make available to her clients;

• Payment with cash
• Payment via credit cards/Point of Sale Machines
• Payment via online bank transfer
• Payment via check
• Payment via bank draft

In view of the above, we have chosen banking platforms that will enable our client make payment for services rendered and products purchase without any stress on their part. Our bank account numbers will be made available on our website and promotional materials.

13. Startup Expenditure (Budget)

Generally, starting a mobile nail salon is less expensive. In setting up a mobile nail salon business, the amount or cost will depend on the approach and scale you want to undertake. If you intend to go big by renting a place, then you would need a higher amount of capital as you would need to ensure that your employees are well taken care of.

This means that the start-up can either be low or high depending on your goals, vision and aspirations for your business. The startup capital for a mobile nail salon business might fall between $5,000 and $10,000, while that of a medium or large scale salon would definitely be higher.

The materials and equipment that will be used are nearly the same cost everywhere, and any difference in prices would be minimal and can be overlooked. However, this is what it would cost us to start our own standard and world class mobile nail salon company in the United of America;

• The total fee for registering the Business in Baton Rouge – Louisiana – $750
• Legal expenses for obtaining licenses and permits – $1,500
• Marketing promotion expenses (2,000 flyers at $0.04 per copy) for the total amount of $3,580.
• The cost for hiring business consultant – $2,000
• Insurance (general liability, workers’ compensation and property casualty) coverage at a total premium – $5,800
• Cost of accounting software, CRM software and Payroll Software – $3,000
• Cost for leasing small nail studio facility – $50,000
• Cost for facility remodeling – $5,000
• Other start-up expenses including stationery – $1000
• Phone and utility deposits – $3,500
• Operational cost for the first 3 months (salaries of employees, payments of bills et al) – $40,000
• The cost for the purchase of equipment and startup inventory and supplies (Acrylic Powder Kit – Acrylic powder and liquid, solvent, two brushes, sanding lime, 500 transparent fake nails, glass cup, nail clipper, Nail Cleanser, Nail Polish Remover, Cuticle Exfoliator, UV TopCoat, Hand Soap, Nail glue, Moisturizing Lotion, Antibacterial Hand Sanitizer , File Kit, Sable Brush, Reusable Nail Forms, Diamond Nail File, Cuticle Pusher, Nail Buffers, Nail Glue & Bond aid, Towelettes, Toe Separators, Cuticle Oil, Nail Brush, Nail Clipper Set, Nail tips, Cuticle Nippers, Pedicure Foot File, Manicure Bowl, Dappen Dish, Nail Edge Cutter, Salon Smock and Optional is an electric nail file.et al) – $75,000
• The cost for the purchase of furniture and gadgets for the nail studio (Computers, Printers, Telephone, TVs, Credit card machine, POS, tables and chairs et al) – $4,000.
• The cost of Launching a Website – $600
• The cost for the purchase of utility truck/mobile hair salon – $75,000
• The cost for our grand opening party – $1,500
• Miscellaneous – $2,000

We would need an estimate of $200,000 to successfully launch our mobile hair salon business in Atlanta – Georgia, US. Please note that the amount is on the high side because we decided to start a business that does not revolve around one man; a mobile nail salon business with the potential to grow and sell franchise in future.

Generating Startup Capital At Your Service™ Mobile Nail Salon Company

At Your Service™ Mobile Nail Salon Company is a business that will be owned and managed by Ms. Zoe Adolphus and her immediate family members. They are the sole financial of the business which is why they decided to restrict the sourcing of the startup capital for the business to just three major sources.

These are the areas we intend generating our startup capital;

• Generate part of the startup capital from personal savings and sale of his stocks
• Generate part of the startup capital from friends and other extended family members
• Generate a larger chunk of the startup capital from the bank

N.B: We have been able to generate about $50,000 (Personal savings $40,000 and soft loan from family members $10,000) and we are at the final stages of obtaining a loan facility of $150,000 from our bank. All the papers and documents have been duly signed and submitted, the loan has been approved and any moment from now our account will be credited.

14. Sustainability and Expansion Strategy

The future of a business lies in the number of loyal customers that they have, the capacity and competence of the employees, their investment strategy and the business structure. If all of these factors are missing from a business, then it won’t be too long before the business close shop.

One of our major goals of starting At Your Service™ Mobile Nail Salon is to build a business that will survive off its own cash flow without the need for injecting finance from external sources once the business is officially running. We know that one of the ways of gaining approval and winning customers over is to offer our mobile nail salon services a little bit cheaper than what is obtainable in the market and we are well prepared to survive on lower profit margin for a while.

At Your Service™ Mobile Nail Salon will make sure that the right foundation, structures and processes are put in place to ensure that our staff welfare are well taken of. Our company’s corporate culture is designed to drive our business to greater heights and training and re – training of our workforce is at the top burner of our business strategy.

As a matter of fact, profit-sharing arrangement will be made available to all our management staff and it will be based on their performance for a period of three years or more as determined by the board of the organization. We know that if that is put in place, we will be able to successfully hire and retain the best hands we can get in the industry; they will be more committed to help us build the business of our dreams.

Check List/Milestone

• Business Name Availability Check: Completed
• Business Registration: Completed
• Opening of Corporate Bank Accounts: Completed
• Securing Point of Sales Machines: Completed
• Opening Mobile Money Accounts: Completed
• Opening Online Payment Platforms: Completed
• Application and Obtaining Tax Payer’s ID: In Progress
• Application for business license and permit: Completed
• Purchase of Insurance for the Business: Completed
• Acquiring facility and remodeling the facility: In Progress
• Conducting Feasibility Studies: Completed
• Generating capital from family members: Completed
• Applications for Loan from the bank: In Progress
• Writing of Business Plan: Completed
• Drafting of Employee’s Handbook: Completed
• Drafting of Contract Documents and other relevant Legal Documents: In Progress
• Design of The Company’s Logo: Completed
• Graphics Design and Printing of Promotional Materials: In Progress
• Recruitment of manicure and pedicure specialists and back office staff: In Progress
• Purchase of the needed manicure and pedicure tools, equipment, and supplies: In progress
• Purchase of truck: In Progress
• Creating Official Website for the Company: Completed
• Creating Awareness for the business both online and in the neighborhood: In Progress
• Health and Safety and Fire Safety Arrangement (License): Secured
• Opening party planning: In Progress
• Establishing business relationship with vendors – suppliers of all our needed manicure and pedicure supplies et al: In Progress

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Mobile Nail Salon Business Paperback – May 18, 2011

• Paperback $25.00 1 New from $25.00

Purchase options and add-ons

• Print length 110 pages
• Language English
• Publication date May 18, 2011
• Dimensions 6 x 0.25 x 9 inches
• ISBN-10 1461193001
• ISBN-13 978-1461193005
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Product details

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (May 18, 2011)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Paperback ‏ : ‎ 110 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1461193001
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1461193005
• Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 7.8 ounces
• Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 0.25 x 9 inches

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How to Become A Licensed Mobile Nail Technician

By Jennie Waeland , November 5 2021

Set Out A Business Plan To Successfully Launch Your Mobile Nail Salon Service

Make a marketing plan, how long does it take to become a licensed nail technician, protect your nail business and your customers, how much does a mobile nail technician earn, insure your mobile nail company, how to get clients as a mobile nail technician.

The nail industry has sky-rocketed in previous years, meeting a high demand of luxury-looking nails for all audiences. With this high demand comes a magnitude of business opportunities. Nail technicians are gradually making the transition from salon to mobile beauty.

This guide is part of the series: How to successfully launch your Mobile Beautician Business!

With freelance work becoming the new norm, it allows you the freedom and flexibility to become your own boss and work around your own schedule. It is also the perfect way to build up your own personal clientele and strengthen your relationships with your customers.

Fortunately, it is becoming easier and easier to kick-start your own business and propel yourself into the world of freelance, mobile beauty.

For tips on getting started and maintaining a successful mobile nail salon business, keep on reading.

Make your mobile nail business plan concise

It can be easy to bombard yourself with ideas and end up feeling burnt out and overwhelmed before your business has even left the ground.

It’s important to have dreams and aspirations, but be realistic with your starting plan and goals. You can build up to bigger plans with time, but for the beginning, you should map out the most important steps to help you off on the right foot.

How to write a business plan for your start up

There are many different ways that you can plan your business. Different methods work for different people. Write it in a designated notebook, type it up into a presentation, use a whiteboard… there is no correct way, as long as it makes sense for you. That is all that matters.

There are certain important aspects that you should remember to plan for:

• A brief general summary of your business and the direction in which you would like to grow it – What is your main goal, who is your ideal client?
• A description of your company – Who are you? What sets you apart from your competitors? What is your USP (Unique Selling Point?). Who is your target client base?
• Scope out the market – Who is your competition? What is currently big and trending? What is successful? What isn’t working?
• An outline of management – What is the structure of your company? Will it be a solo project or will you onboard a team to help run your business?
• Details of your services – How many treatments will you offer? Which polish types and colours will you include? Will you sell products alongside your treatments?
• What is your marketing strategy? How will you build your online presence? Which platforms will be most beneficial for your brand? How will you direct customers to your site?
• Keep your financial goals in mind – It’s important to understand your financial ambitions from the beginning. Do you have goals for the first year, or the first 5 years? Do you know where your revenue will be coming from? Will it be one channel (eg just treatments) or will you have other streams of revenue too (selling products, working part-time in a salon)?
• Would you prefer to work with loyal clients or with hundreds of clients?
• Will you be catering to individuals or parties?

Finding potential clients should not be complicated!

Creating a marketing plan may seem like a daunting process but it can easily be broken down into different steps.

1. Understand your audience

All of your marketing efforts will be useless unless you know who exactly you are targeting. By knowing the demographic and interests of your clients, you can tailor your content and branding towards them with the hope of returned interest, engagement and conversions.

2. Choose your platform

Social media is growing into one of the biggest marketing tools a freelance therapist can use and there’s plenty to choose from: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, YouTube, LinkedIn…

They are have different benefits so it’s important to have an idea of what you will be using them for. Instagram is amazing for building up a portfolio of photos and creating a community through engagement, LinkedIn can help you on the business front and help you make connections with similar mobile nail technicians .

It’s important to stress that you don’t need to use all of them. As your own boss, your time is limited so don’t waste it on platforms that do you no favours.

3. Scope out the competition

As mentioned before, mobile beauty is a rapid growing business with plenty of competition. With so many alternatives, use their profiles to your advantage. What are they doing successfully? Are their audience engaging with them?

Do they have a strong brand identity? By analysing your competition, you can decide what similarities you would like to adopt for your own business whilst deciphering which aspects won’t work in your favour.

4. Develop a personal brand identity

Think about the top brands in the world. They all have a unique personality, tone or voice, marketing strategy and aesthetic look. Brand identity is crucial to set you apart from your competitors.

Font, brand colours, image style, tone of voice… the world is your oyster. Just make sure that your brand is authentic and expresses your business successfully.

5. Be adaptable

With all your marketing efforts, you should be consistently tracking your engagement and reach and making notes on what is working for you and what has failed. As daunting as failure is, it is important to recognise when aspects need improving or removing in order to generate a greater chance of success.

Be willing to try new things, don’t shy away from new ideas and opportunities.

With any marketing plan, you must first set a realistic budget for all of your outgoings and the profit you aim to achieve. You must also be realistic with your time. If something doesn’t work, scrap it. Don’t over-assert yourself if it is unrealistic and leave you in a worse-off position.

This will be individual subject to your situations and experiences. Many courses to become a mobile nail tech can take between 300-600 hours.

The amount of time can also differ depending on whether you enrol to your course part-time or full-time. However, there are many individual brands which also offer training, which is usually a day course.

When you are looking for courses, be sure to check the syllabus beforehand if you can, so that you know exactly what the course entails and if it is suited to you and your business vision. The last thing you need is to enrol in a sub-par course which doesn’t benefit you.

In order to become a certified nail technician, you must acquire certain qualifications and diplomas. For example, in the UK, you must earn a qualification such as NVQ Level 2, which ensures that you are recognised as a certified nail technician by the government.

Remember, be mindful to be constantly open and willing to follow new trends and learn new skills as this will open you up to new opportunities and expanded audiences. Strictly following what you already know may leave you closed off to many possibilities.

In the beginning, it is important to familiarise yourself with safety regulations surrounding salons and mobile beauty. Check that your kit and products don’t contain hazardous chemicals. Be sure to familiarise yourself with your clients, in case they have sensitive skin or problems which require special products and extra care.

Ensure that you know how to properly care for and clean your tools. In the beauty business, good hygiene is crucial. There are many infections, funguses and diseases that can spread among clients.

If a client has a fungal infection or a verruca, you have the power to decline the appointment on hygiene grounds. Protect yourself and your clients, disappointing one client is the price to pay to keep your entire clientele safe.

Post-pandemic it is also extremely important to abide by government safety guidelines and protect yourself and your client as best as possible. Know the rules and regulations, carry the appropriate PPE, have safety and hygiene on the forefront of your mind at all times.

Unlike a salon, clients’ homes aren’t your responsibility to keep clean. You can have your clients sign a waiver form to protect yourself against any potential health and hygiene-related issues that may occur as a result of an unsanitary environment.

Again, this will vary between technicians. The main aspects to consider are:

• How many hours you work
• The scale of your clientele
• Your services and how much you charge for them

Take these elements into consideration, but remember, there is no reason you should be earning margins less than others in your industry. Believe in yourself and know your worth.

However, it’s important to note that you may be able to afford to lower your prices compared to salon prices.

Salons have to pay rent, bills, staff etc. So by slightly lowering your prices, you may stand out among your competition. Especially if you work in London, where the prices will be considerably higher.

When you run a freelance business, it is so important to ensure that you and your business is covered by the correct insurance, as you will no longer be under wider-scale corporate policy.

Most mobile beauty apps and salons require you to have insurance anyway, so this is an important step to make at the beginning of your career.

‘Public Liability Insurance’  will help to protect your nail business in the case that a client files for legal claims made against you in their own property.

For example, if your tools accidentally cause them harm or if your product stains their furniture. Insurance will ensure that legal costs are covered. It is your responsibility to make sure that you are equipped to handle any legal issues that may arise.

You should also get ‘ Beauty Treatment Risk Liability Insurance’ , which will cover incidents directly related to the treatment. For example, if an allergic reaction occurs as a result of one of your polishes.

We also recommend insuring your kit and products, in the event that anything is stolen.

‘Employers Liability Insurance’ is a legal requirement should you have any employees in relation to your mobile nail salon business.

As mentioned before, make sure that your pricing is consistent with the industry. Do not overprice your treatments as you will deter both potential and existing customers from your business.

We recommend starting with lower pricing to entice customers and stand out from your competition, and then slowly raising your prices as your business grows. It is normal to charge more for experience and skill, which will come in time as you grow your brand.

Your business model should not solely be based on word of mouth, social media is one of the biggest ways to promote your brand, currently. Invest time into finding which platform works for you and showcase your skills using the internet as your own work portfolio.

Not only should you use your own personal accounts to promote yourself, but join groups and pages with similar businesses that compliment your own and help each other out. Not all competition is bad. You can learn from each other and gain helpful tips and advice.

Make sure that your branding is clear and easily recognisable. Keep your brand consistent across all marketing avenues, use the same font and colours so that your audience will immediately recognise it and think of your brand.

You can even advertise your brand using your own vehicle or on letterheads. Create business cards and flyers to hand out to everyone you meet. Post your flyer on a local bulletin board.

There are so many opportunities as a mobile nail technician. It will take time to get a plan together and find your feet within the industry. You will undoubtedly encounter hurdles along the way, but this will help you become more certain in your brand identity and what you are hoping to get out of this business venture.

Related guides:

How to start up your own mobile hairdressing business

Jennie Waeland

Jennie is LeSalon’s Social and Content Executive, covering everything from beauty, lifestyle and, of course, manicures. She graduated from the University of Roehampton with a degree in film and has since used her skills to produce various content and illustrational pieces.

More of Jennie's Posts

• Beautifully Powerful
• Beauty Trends
• Ladies Who Launch
• London Life
• LeSalon At Work
• Expert Advice
• Salonette Blog

Start A Mobile Nail Salon Business - Business Ideas

Please note that the data provided in this article are estimates and may vary depending on various factors, and should not be considered as perfect or definitive.

Starting a mobile nail salon business can provide you with the freedom and flexibility you can't get from traditional brick-and-mortar nail salon shops. Also, clients do not need to spend time driving to a salon, spend on gas or wait for an appointment. This setup is attractive to busy customers.

Listed are the steps on how to start a mobile nail salon business.

• Secure all needed permits and registrations to run your business
• Obtain needed licenses, training certificates, or credentials
• Purchase needed materials, equipment, and supplies
• Promote your business

Starting a mobile nail salon business requires a great deal of effort, dedication, and most importantly passion .

If you're interested in how to sell mobile nail salon service, or selling mobile nail salon service online, you can use this page as a guide for everything you'll need to know.

Startup Costs

Successful businesses, pros & cons.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How to start a mobile nail salon business.

A mobile nail salon business is ideal for technicians looking to start their own business. From a financial perspective you can save plenty of money since there’s no rental space to pay for on a monthly basis.

To begin setting up a mobile salon, follow these simple steps:

• Become a licensed nail technician
• Gain enough experience
• Research your competition and find your niche
• Set up and register your business ( UK have a guide on how to do this )
• Make sure you’re aware of the latest health and safety codes
• Check you have the correct insurance for your business, car and stock
• Give your services a competitive price
• Promote your business and start attracting new client

Don’t forget to check your motor insurance covers business use.

Looking for beauty professionals?

Find a salon near you.

We have a network of over 1,800 salons and technicians across the UK that we partner with

Get started today and

Become a pro.

Find the RE:NEW Beauty course and brand that best suits your career goals

© 2023 RE:NEW Beauty .

How to write a business plan and why you need one

Key takeaways

• Business plans help your team get more strategic and proactive about working toward your goals
• Traditional business plans are highly detailed and necessary for getting outside funding
• Lean startup business plans help you get into action faster, while still reflecting on the most crucial topics of your business

Running a business isn’t always easy. However, business planning can help light up your path to success and reduce the number of surprises lurking ahead. Learning how to write a business plan can guide your team to act smarter, maximize your growth potential, and open up new funding opportunities. Learn more about why you need a business plan and how to create the right one that best suits your needs.

Why are business plans important?

A business plan serves as a roadmap for your company’s future—and paving that path for growth is often the best way to survive (and thrive).

The dismal truth is that only 50% of businesses survive their first five years and only 40% of existing small businesses make a profit. But having a five-year business plan can help you beat the statistics. A well-researched plan gives your team some foresight on the essential actions and milestones for reaching your goals. If you’re not hitting milestones, you’ll have an idea of where adjustments need to be made.

Business plans push your team to think strategically and proactively, so you’re not simply responding to trends in your market or what your competitors are doing. You’ll have a clear picture of your niche, sales and marketing strategy , and other crucial factors to help you stay ahead.

If you’re seeking outside funding from investors or lenders , or looking to partner with local business owners or suppliers, a business plan is a must. These people will want to know they’re working with a company that has a clear, long-term vision—especially if you’re a new business with few or no financial statements (like balance sheets and cash flow statements ) to prove your success. Learning how to write a business plan can help you prove you’re here to stay.

How to write a business plan

So how do you actually write a business plan ? There are a number of methods, but most companies stick to one of two types of business plans : a lean startup plan or a traditional plan.

Lean startup business plan

You don’t necessarily have to learn how to write a business plan the traditional way if your main goal is to get your company up and going fast. If you’re not seeking funding and your company isn’t complex, a lean startup plan may be perfect for you. For example, if you’re opening a small coffee shop or getting started as a general contractor with no employees, this could be the best option.

Most companies that choose this route use this business model canvas to break down their plan visually into nine key aspects of business development . It focuses on the must-knows of your business planning , so you can start selling quickly and focus your time on other important tasks, like developing new products or engaging with potential customers .

Here’s what each section of the business model canvas means:

• Key partnerships: The other businesses—including suppliers, contractors, and manufacturers—that you’ll partner with to operate.
• Key activities: What you’re doing on a day-to-day basis to serve your customers, such as making sales calls or doing consultations.
• Key resources: Your most important assets. This includes the employees, technologies, patents, and more that you put into action each week.
• Value proposition : What you uniquely do for your target market . This explains why your potential customers will care.
• Customer relationships: What your relationships with your customers will look like, including how personal they will be (in-person or virtual) and if you want to focus more on long-term or short-term relationships.
• Customer segments: The people who are included in your target audience , segmented by their demographics , interests, and more.
• Channels: The specific channels you’ll use to engage with leads and customers, such as email or direct mail.
• Cost structure: Whether you’ll be cost-driven (decreasing expenses as much as possible) or value-driven (providing the greatest value for customers) and what major costs you’ll encounter, including rent, salaries, and inventory.
• Revenue streams: How you’ll price your products or services and how that pricing will impact your net profits.

Traditional business plan

While the traditional business plan takes a significant amount of effort (they are incredibly thorough compared to the lean startup plan), it’s an excellent way to gain highly detailed insight into your own business . The average suggested length is 30–50 pages long , and this comprehensive document will ensure that your team members have a strong point of reference when making any business decisions.

This type of business plan is essential if you’re seeking funding from bankers, venture capitalists , angel investors, and more. Since their money is on the line, they want comprehensive details about your business planning so they can get a sense of your viability .

Here’s what a traditional business plan template includes.

1. Executive summary

This small section of your business plan is like a first impression. It affects whether your audience continues reading or not—which means it can make or break your outside funding opportunities.

An executive summary should be an engaging, one-page snippet that gives readers a compelling introduction to your company and why your business idea has the potential to succeed. It should include a basic overview of your business , the products or services you offer, what your financial projections look like, and your mission statement .

While your executive summary appears at the beginning of your business plan, write this summary last, after you’ve already conducted all your research. There’s no need to get too deep into the nitty-gritty with your executive summary —that’s for the rest of the plan .

2. Company description

This section goes into detail about what your company does. In your company description, you want to highlight the problems your target market faces and how your product or service offers a solution. Explain what gives you a competitive advantage , whether it’s your product quality, experience, or something else. Hone in on what makes your business unique, valuable, and exciting.

3. Business and management structure

Whether it’s your employees or potential investors looking at your business plan , your readers will want to see how organized and competent your company is. Use this section to clarify who owns your business, including all stakeholders, and who’s on your management team . Create a visual organizational chart on a platform like Microsoft Office or Canva to make things easier for your readers.

You’ll also want to explain your company’s legal structure ( LLC , C corporation, etc.)—which affects how your company is taxed and what you’re legally responsible for—since this can affect your funding opportunities. For example, banks and investors are less likely to work with sole proprietorships , in part because they’re seen as high-risk.

4. Products or services

In this section of your business plan, you can provide a more thorough explanation of your individual products or services. Instead of offering surface-level information about what you do, dive deeper into the details. For example, if you have an auto repair business , you may include separate subsections about your body repair, glass repair, and diagnostic services.

This is also a great place to mention any intellectual property you hold, like copyrights and trademarks.

5. Marketing plan

When you write business plans using the traditional method, you’ll need to formulate a strong marketing strategy to show which actions you’re taking to make sales. Determine where you’ll successfully reach your target market . Consider what social media channels you will use. Decide if you’ll interact with leads and clients via text message, over the phone, or through your Yelp Business Page , and if you’ll run ads on search engines or traditional print channels.

Get a free Yelp page

Promote your business to local customers.

You’ll also want to research and include details about your industry outlook and competition. Demonstrate that you’re aware of trends, opportunities, and challenges—as well as how to overcome those challenges through your strategy—by including a strong market analysis .

6. Financial analysis

Finally, you need to talk about numbers in your business plan. To show your ability to maintain long-term financial health , it’s crucial to provide a positive (and realistic) picture of your future growth. Include details about your projected sales, expenses, and profits. Take time to do this analysis, consulting with a professional if needed, so you and your readers can understand your full growth potential.

If you’ve been in business for at least a quarter or two, include any financial statements you have to back up your claims.

It’s time to build a successful business plan

When you understand how to write a business plan , you’ll be better equipped to achieve profitability and customer loyalty , so you can grow in the long-term. Your template may look different depending on your business needs and goals, but no matter which type of business plan you choose, you’ll be creating a guide that allows for better decision-making and focus within your team. The next step: Consider more business growth strategies that you can implement.

The information above is provided for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice and may not be suitable for your circumstances. Unless stated otherwise, references to third-party links, services, or products do not constitute endorsement by Yelp.

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How To Write The Perfect Nail Salon Business Plan (Free Template Inside)

When one decides to start a business venture, the first thing one focuses on is potential income. And a little birdie told us you were considering opening a nail salon. 

Right off the bat, we must say you have great taste, going by your choice of industry and our blog. Let us provide you with an all-essential fact – The average nail salon industry earnings were estimated to gross $287,000 in revenues , with a 17% profit margin . So opening a nail salon might be a lucrative venture for you after all.

But how do you make sure your salon turns a profit consistently? The answer is – by writing a solid nail salon business plan. 

Not only will such a plan make your nail salon easier to establish, but it will also equip you with the right tools to succeed in the industry. And the best part? Our step-by-step guide with a free downloadable template will make your job even easier!

We sincerely hope you keep making great choices and read on!

Going back to the basics

Before we delve into the planning, let us first discuss what a business plan truly is. Don’t think of  it as a ton of documentation headache to get over with. Rather, think of it as a blueprint. In the hands of a talented architect such as yourself, that blueprint builds the foundation of your business.

A nail salon business plan lays down a roadmap for your salon from marketing, business development, and operational standpoints , by defining its various aspects in detail. It also includes a business summary, talking about the aims and objectives of the nail salon for the future.

So why do YOU need it? 

Now that we understand what a business plan truly is, let us establish why it is important. This documentation is essentially a doorway between the past, present, and future. 

Sounds far-fetched? Give us a chance to explain.

• It documents the industry statistics and your initial stages, which are soon to be your past . It will help you look back and remember how it all started.  (It may help you learn from mistakes. Not that we’re saying you made any. This was just in case.)  
• By taking stock of the current situation (whenever you document, of course) and keeping financial records, you make it your present .
• And by creating those financial projections and laying down growth markers for the next steps, you are looking to your future .

Did our extensive reasoning convince you? 

Essentially, by creating a detailed business plan for your nail salon, you are capitalizing on your strengths and giving yourself a competitive edge . So it is imperative to business success, for a salon or any other enterprise.

And this entire blog is structured to be a business plan template for a nail salon. Maybe, made just for you!  

What to include in a business plan

So what goes into this big plan we keep talking about? Listed below are the elusive parts. Read on to find out!

Getting started with market research

Getting down to business planning, getting a marketing plan underway.

• Getting to operations planning

Creating an appendix

Compiling your detailed business plan.

Understanding your market is an essential part of starting and maintaining a successful business.

You have already begun your market research, you just didn’t know it (or maybe you did?). By looking up your prospective income, and even settling on the idea of creating a business plan for your future nail salon, you’re on the right track.

In this section, we will talk about conducting market research a bit more systematically.

Before we begin, let us introduce you to a fictional nail salon – ‘ ABC’s Nails ’. It will serve as our case study, to follow their journey of creating a business plan. 

So far, for our convenience, they have finalized just their name. In the course of this blog, ABC’s Nails will go on to become a full-fledged nail parlor (on paper, of course). So let us write this nail salon business plan example together. 

Analyzing the industry

Keep in mind that we’re writing for ABC’s Nails right now. The first step for us in analyzing the industry is looking up the market trends. According to marketresearch.com –

• Market data estimates that the U.S. nail salons industry was worth $6.5 billion in 2020
• As mentioned previously, the average nail salon industry earnings were estimated to gross $287,000 in revenues, with a 17% profit margin.
• This implies that during any economic downturn, your business might face a financial ebb, 
• but still, be able to turn a profit as a whole.

This information collected for ABC’s Nails will help us understand opportunities for growth as well as prepare us for any slow days. 

We quickly document all this information under the industry analysis of our nail salon business plan and move to the next step.

Defining the target customer (base)

Now that we’re armed with the data about the market for ABC’s Nails, we look for possible customer segments. 

An excellent way to approach this step is to create a profile or a persona of your customers. A customer persona is a semi-fictional representation of your ideal customer(s). They’re usually created by interviewing various potential customers, and charting their information together. 

To build a persona, consider their – 

• Location, 
• Gender, 
• Preferred method of communication 
• Other demographic details – hobbies, preferences

The below listed persona is from the nail salon business plan sample pdf that we’ve been creating for ABC’s Nails.

By creating multiple such personas, you ensure that you design your nail salon keeping all your customers in mind. This will be helpful in drawing up a marketing plan in later stages as well. 

Again, we will add these customer insights in the respective tab in our business plan. 

Doing the competitor research

Now ABC’s Nails may be prepared to accommodate their future customers’ wishes but how will they contend with their existing competitors?

By doing competitive research, of course! The answers to these questions can be filed directly in our report – 

• Who are the competitors in my locality?  
• What services and products do they offer?
• What is their typical pricing?
• What is their branding and marketing strategy?

The answers to most of these questions can be found by looking at their websites online, or even physical directories. 

To compile all this information, ABC’s Nails plans on using a table to add clarity to their information, as shown below, but you can choose to use paragraph formats as well.

Our nail salon’s business plan is well and truly underway. The next part will help us sculpt the structure of our future business. 

Writing a mission statement

The first and foremost task for ABC’s Nails is defining our aims and goals for the business. A simple yet precise way to do so is by –

• Defining your short term goals (from 6 months to a year)
• Setting up long term goals (a 5-year plan)
• Also, be sure to include the values and what sets you apart from the rest

Once the mission statement is complete, be sure to append it to the growing, new nail technician business plan. 

Selecting the products and services to offer

Once a general idea of the nail salon is created in the mission statement, the next step is to create lucrative services and select the right products to offer.

Tip: Make sure while selecting products you cater to both – your customer as well as your own values. 

ABC’s Nails is planning on offering a few basic selections as follows – 

• Artificial Nails
• Acrylic Overlay
• Gel (with or without UV curing)

This newly created list goes straight into the business description for a nail salon.

Setting the right prices

Now that the products and services are decided, we focus on setting the right pricing for the salon. Before setting the exact prices, we check –

• The competitor pricing to understand the market standard and what people are willing to pay.
• That we will be able to cover the basic cost of supplies and return a profit. 

Of course, certain personal factors are in play as well. Let’s say you plan on taking only a few customers per week and providing them the highest quality service. Also, take into consideration that you will be working only from 11am – 7pm on weekdays.

In such a scenario, we imagine your nail menu charges would be leaning more towards the higher end of the spectrum, such that your business turns a profit in the limited time you have available. 

Once a catalog is prepared, it is also stored in the business plan we are compiling for ABC’s Nails. 

(Sorry, no photo here. We don’t want to give away all our secrets after all 😉)

Choosing a location

The space we select for the salon will have a big impact on the overall business. Not only will it affect the spending but also the business goals and aesthetics. 

Initially for our pride and joy, ABC’s Nails, we consider the following options –

• Renting a space: When starting out, easier to lease out a space and decorate it according to your aesthetics
• Buying a space: This will take a huge chunk of investment, and lends itself to the more established nail salon owners, rather than a relative newbie such as ABC’s Nails.

Additionally, we have to keep in mind various factors that can affect our choices –

• How competitive the market is
• The area and cost of utilities 
• What is our tentative budget 

With these factors in mind, we went ahead with scoping out possible (albeit imaginary) locations and adding them to the plan. 

Getting the licenses and insurance

Registering your business is considered to be an essential step in business activities. It requires forming the business entity and registering the business through the state government. 

Below we compare the various types of businesses you can register as: 

Source – sba.gov

Along with a business license, it is common for nail salons to require a cosmetology establishment license before beginning operations . 

Once you have acquired your licenses, make sure to store them safely. If you wish, you could add a copy to your business plan doc as well.

Calculating the startup cost 

Now that the business processes have been dispensed with, it is now time to plan the budget for your nail salon. You can refer to the below estimate table we have prepared for ABC’s Nails. 

Thus, an estimated minimum cost of $3,690 is found for ABC’s Nails . Depending on your location and other factors, your costs might be higher or lower.

Creating financial projections

A crucial part of any business plan is its financial projections. It shows the tentative spending as well as the estimated growth for the nail establishment. 

Now that we have prepared both the revenue (or pricing) sheet and our spending (or startup cost) sheets, we analyze them together to be included as the nail salon financial plan. 

Many small businesses close within the first couple of years of opening , as their spending is higher than their income. 

We are preparing to avoid such a situation for our nail parlor, by creating the following charts to be included in the free sample business plan for ABC’s Nail salon-

• Prospective profit/loss sheet : Overall sheet that tabulates your revenues, costs, and expenses incurred during a specific period of time. It shows the ability of your business to generate profits by increasing revenue and reducing costs.
• Prospective balance sheet: This indicates the financial future of your business. Using your profit and loss spreadsheet, you can project what your balance sheet will look like at the end of your first year.
• Break-even analysis: This indicates when your business will be able to cover all of its expenses and begin making a profit.

This brings us to the end of our business planning section. Next, we tackle our marketing plan for ABC’s Nails.

This plan of ours is shaping up nicely. Good job, us! Now we move on to planning the marketing aspect to round up our plan.

Defining the market positioning

From ABC’s Nails mission statement and customer personas, we are clear on who we wish to cater to in terms of the customers. So now we define where we stand in the market. 

• Are we a high-end salon or a more economical one?
• Who are our direct competitors?
• What sets us apart from the rest?
• What are the market factors that impact our nail salon business?

Once we pen down the answers, we will be well equipped to understand where our business will fit in the market, and develop a marketing strategy effectively. Of course, we will be adding our answers to the business plan doc.

Brainstorming strategies to attract customers 

Attracting customers is the most basic goal of a successful marketing strategy. As we start our business, our aim is to draw the attention of potential customers to our business and bring them in.

A few examples of such strategies are:

• Opening discount
• Discount coupons
• Free gift/service with another service, etc.

If you want to read more, take a gander at our other informative blog – nail salon marketing ideas . 

Deciding the platforms to advertise on

As a direct business-to-consumer industry, your marketing will directly target your customers. You need to know who your customers are (the personas you created, remember?) and how you can reach them.

Before choosing our advertisement channels, we ask the following questions:

• Where do your customers spend time, both on and offline?
• What social media platforms are they most likely to use?
• What, if any, print media are they reading?
• Do they listen to traditional radio or stream their music?

Based on these questions, and matching the answers with our customer personas, ABC’s Nails arrives at the conclusion that we will choose to advertise on – 

• Digital Ads
• Social media – preferably Instagram and Facebook

As per usual, we make sure this has gone into our business plan.

Customer retention planning

Now, attracting customers is one thing, but retaining them requires building effective communication and strong connections.

Our favorite Nail Salon – ABC’s is planning on following this motto –

Loyal customers = Ambassadors 

This means we’re going to be offering loyalty programs – a discount for customers who refer other customers. (We will quickly go and tweak our marketing budget now.)

Along with this, methods to retain customers can be 

• Staying active on social media 
• Reaching out with new product offerings or promotions
• Providing stellar customer service and 
• Streamlining your appointment system 

which can keep your clients coming back for more. 

How do you streamline appointments, you ask? Well, simply by using a nail salon scheduling software such as Appointy , especially built to cater to the needs of a nail tech such as you. By investing in such an affordable software option you :

• Automate your scheduling processes: booking appointments, managing salon timings, and also the staff availability
• Free up more time to focus on what you love doing – nails!
• Save the cost of hiring a receptionist
• Store client information to provide them a more personalized experience in near future.

What’s more, is that you can integrate with RwG and provide a ‘book now’ button to nudge viewers of your salon’s page to take action and become your clients!    

So what are you waiting for? Explore our nail salon software today .

Getting to operations planning 

Yay! This is the second to last part of the business plan that you need to complete. Keep going.

Hiring employees

Unless you plan on operating a mobile nail parlor, you will need to hire a couple of employees. (However, our template still stands valid as a mobile nail salon business plan, if you wish to keep following it)

The hiring for ABC’s Nails will be done on the basis of these questions –

• Eg – 3 and 2 respectively
• Eg – None
• $15000 (estimated)

Based on this, we require at least 2 more nail technicians, who we will be able to pay well.

While interviewing, you can

• Look for qualities and values that align with your business. 
• Make sure they have a strong work ethic
• Check if they are dependable and responsible prospects
• Ensure that they have good communication skills 
• Confirm that they are good team players.

Setting up a training plan

This will be an integral part of your nail salon’s success, as your employees will interact with your customers on a daily basis. What can we do to make sure that our service is on point? These steps –

• Develop a training plan
• Include skills training sessions as well
• Customer service training plan

Having a plan in place well ahead of time will help you train your employees properly, even in the busiest of times. 

Linking the tech

In the 21st century, it is imperative that you fulfill the demands of all your customers – including Gen Zers. And they want the latest technology.

• Set up your Google Business page Having a Google business page ensures that when a customer searches for “nail salon near me”, your salon pops up. The reviews and ratings that your salon will accumulate in the future will add to the trust factor in the community as well. 
• Integrate a Point Of Sale (POS) system A POS system is critical to your business in managing day-to-day finances. Along with POS, setting up a few different payment methods such as – Square, Stripe, PayPal makes payment easy for your customers and gives them the freedom to choose their payment option.
• Adopt a CRM and scheduling software The scheduling software we mentioned before will be an enormous help to gratify each customer’s wishes. Even before they reach your salon, they will be able to view the available slots, prepay online and view a detailed service menu – all in one place. And an added bonus is that their purchasing habits will be stored in the cloud, to be able to change them in the future.

Setting up an Appointy booking page is very easy. As you can see in the below example, Covered Nail Bar is offering its customers a wide variety of services to choose from. 

Preparing an expense report 

When you are running a business, you are in charge of paying all the bills – 

• Inventory  
• Utility bills 
• Staff wages, etc. 

Filing away all these and then manually adding them to your balance sheets can be a laborious task. So using a fixed template each time will ease your burden greatly. You can choose to create your own spreadsheet or use one of these example templates . 

Once you have your expenses entered, you can use the inbuilt functions of your spreadsheet to import them to your final balance sheet. 

You are nearly at the end of creating your nail salon business plan. 

Now what’s left is linking relevant supporting documents such as-

• Your research document
• Your salon location and other details
• Any vendor details and their business details 

and any overhead costs or documents to your main business plan. 

Essentially, by attaching such documents, you are solidifying your business venture and its proposal and showing that your business is indeed ready to be launched! 

The end of this section marks the end of four main parts of the nail salon business plan.

Now that the grunt work has been dispensed with, it is smooth sailing ahead. Just one small, but rather important task and a shiny, new nail salon business plan will be ready.

Writing an executive summary

We are armed with all the information we could need about the nail salon we are establishing. What better time to write an executive summary than now?

In the summary, briefly tell your reader 

• About your company and why it will be successful.
• Include parts of your mission statement, 
• Your products and services, 
• And basic information about your company’s leadership team, employees, and location. 

If you were planning on submitting this report to secure funding, you should also include financial information and high-level growth plans. Just make sure that the summary does not exceed more than 1-2 pages!

Attach it at the very front of your business plan and you are all set. 

Download the free nail salon business plan template!

Detailed and yet aesthetically pleasing, type in or print out to write in our professional business plan template today.   

Hearty congratulations are in order! After all, if you were working along with us, you are now the proud writer of a shiny new nail salon business plan . And even if you were not writing, we are sure you can go back to the beginning and follow along the next time. 

We covered the basics of writing a business plan for a nail salon in this blog. If you want more information on the basics of opening a nail establishment, we recommend you go through our other blog –  How to Open a Nail Salon .

We wish you the best of luck in your new endeavor!

About Appointy We at Appointy, help business owners grow and run their businesses with our online scheduling software. This blog was a part of our ‘Manage your Business’ category, where we provide expert tips, and resources, or simply talk about the challenges that small and medium businesses face every day.  If you have any thoughts on this blog or would like to chat about your business struggles and achievements, let us know in the comments below.  We love a good talk!

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Mobile Nail Salon Business Plan Template & Guidebook

Starting a mobile nail salon can be an exciting and fulfilling business venture. But, it takes more than enthusiasm and a passion for beauty to make it successful. You'll need a sound business plan that outlines your strategy and objectives. This guidebook provides an effective template to help you create one and get your mobile nail salon off the ground. Learn how to set up your business, develop an operational plan, as well as tips for marketing and finance management with The #1 Mobile Nail Salon Business Plan Template & Guidebook.

Get worry-free services and support to launch your business starting at $0 plus state fees.

• How to Start a Mobile Nail Salon Business [11+ Steps]

How to Write a Mobile Nail Salon Business Plan in 7 Steps:

1. describe the purpose of your mobile nail salon business..

The first step to writing your business plan is to describe the purpose of your mobile nail salon business. This includes describing why you are starting this type of business, and what problems it will solve for customers. This is a quick way to get your mind thinking about the customers’ problems. It also helps you identify what makes your business different from others in its industry.

It also helps to include a vision statement so that readers can understand what type of company you want to build.

Here is an example of a purpose mission statement for a mobile nail salon business:

Our mission at Mobile Nail Salon is to provide unparalleled service and convenience by bringing top-quality nail salon treatments to clients in their homes, offices, and other locations. We strive to create a safe, relaxing environment with all the amenities necessary to deliver excellent customer service and outstanding results. We are dedicated to delivering a professional and enjoyable experience that meets all the unique needs of each of our customers.

2. Products & Services Offered by Your Mobile Nail Salon Business.

The next step is to outline your products and services for your mobile nail salon business. 

When you think about the products and services that you offer, it's helpful to ask yourself the following questions:

• What is my business?
• What are the products and/or services that I offer?
• Why am I offering these particular products and/or services?
• How do I differentiate myself from competitors with similar offerings?
• How will I market my products and services?

You may want to do a comparison of your business plan against those of other competitors in the area, or even with online reviews. This way, you can find out what people like about them and what they don’t like, so that you can either improve upon their offerings or avoid doing so altogether.

3. Build a Creative Marketing Stratgey.

If you don't have a marketing plan for your mobile nail salon business, it's time to write one. Your marketing plan should be part of your business plan and be a roadmap to your goals. 

A good marketing plan for your mobile nail salon business includes the following elements:

Target market

• Who is your target market?
• What do these customers have in common?
• How many of them are there?
• How can you best reach them with your message or product?

Customer base 

• Who are your current customers? 
• Where did they come from (i.e., referrals)?
• How can their experience with your mobile nail salon business help make them repeat customers, consumers, visitors, subscribers, or advocates for other people in their network or industry who might also benefit from using this service, product, or brand?

Product or service description

• How does it work, what features does it have, and what are its benefits?
• Can anyone use this product or service regardless of age or gender?
• Can anyone visually see themselves using this product or service?
• How will they feel when they do so? If so, how long will the feeling last after purchasing (or trying) the product/service for the first time?

Competitive analysis

• Which companies are competing with yours today (and why)? 
• Which ones may enter into competition with yours tomorrow if they find out about it now through word-of-mouth advertising; social media networks; friends' recommendations; etc.)
• What specific advantages does each competitor offer over yours currently?

Marketing channels

• Which marketing channel do you intend to leverage to attract new customers?
• What is your estimated marketing budget needed?
• What is the projected cost to acquire a new customer?
• How many of your customers do you instead will return?

Form an LLC in your state!

4. Write Your Operational Plan.

Next, you'll need to build your operational plan. This section describes the type of business you'll be running, and includes the steps involved in your operations. 

In it, you should list:

• The equipment and facilities needed
• Who will be involved in the business (employees, contractors)
• Financial requirements for each step
• Milestones & KPIs
• Location of your business
• Zoning & permits required for the business

What equipment, supplies, or permits are needed to run a mobile nail salon business?

• Nail polishers and files
• Manicure sets and cuticle cutters
• Artificial nail sets
• Cuticle oils and lotions
• A variety of nail polish colors and brands
• Business license and permits
• Mobile cart or other salon features

5. Management & Organization of Your Mobile Nail Salon Business.

The second part of your mobile nail salon business plan is to develop a management and organization section.

This section will cover all of the following:

• How many employees you need in order to run your mobile nail salon business. This should include the roles they will play (for example, one person may be responsible for managing administrative duties while another might be in charge of customer service).
• The structure of your management team. The higher-ups like yourself should be able to delegate tasks through lower-level managers who are directly responsible for their given department (inventory and sales, etc.).
• How you’re going to make sure that everyone on board is doing their job well. You’ll want check-ins with employees regularly so they have time to ask questions or voice concerns if needed; this also gives you time to offer support where necessary while staying informed on how things are going within individual departments too!

6. Mobile Nail Salon Business Startup Expenses & Captial Needed.

This section should be broken down by month and year. If you are still in the planning stage of your business, it may be helpful to estimate how much money will be needed each month until you reach profitability.

Typically, expenses for your business can be broken into a few basic categories:

Startup Costs

Startup costs are typically the first expenses you will incur when beginning an enterprise. These include legal fees, accounting expenses, and other costs associated with getting your business off the ground. The amount of money needed to start a mobile nail salon business varies based on many different variables, but below are a few different types of startup costs for a mobile nail salon business.

Running & Operating Costs

Running costs refer to ongoing expenses related directly with operating your business over time like electricity bills or salaries paid out each month. These types of expenses will vary greatly depending on multiple variables such as location, team size, utility costs, etc.

Marketing & Sales Expenses

You should include any costs associated with marketing and sales, such as advertising and promotions, website design or maintenance. Also, consider any additional expenses that may be incurred if you decide to launch a new product or service line. For example, if your mobile nail salon business has an existing website that needs an upgrade in order to sell more products or services, then this should be listed here.

7. Financial Plan & Projections

A financial plan is an important part of any business plan, as it outlines how the business will generate revenue and profit, and how it will use that profit to grow and sustain itself. To devise a financial plan for your mobile nail salon business, you will need to consider a number of factors, including your start-up costs, operating costs, projected revenue, and expenses. 

Here are some steps you can follow to devise a financial plan for your mobile nail salon business plan:

• Determine your start-up costs: This will include the cost of purchasing or leasing the space where you will operate your business, as well as the cost of buying or leasing any equipment or supplies that you need to start the business.
• Estimate your operating costs: Operating costs will include utilities, such as electricity, gas, and water, as well as labor costs for employees, if any, and the cost of purchasing any materials or supplies that you will need to run your business.
• Project your revenue: To project your revenue, you will need to consider the number of customers you expect to have and the average amount they will spend on each visit. You can use this information to estimate how much money you will make from selling your products or services.
• Estimate your expenses: In addition to your operating costs, you will need to consider other expenses, such as insurance, marketing, and maintenance. You will also need to set aside money for taxes and other fees.
• Create a budget: Once you have estimated your start-up costs, operating costs, revenue, and expenses, you can use this information to create a budget for your business. This will help you to see how much money you will need to start the business, and how much profit you can expect to make.
• Develop a plan for using your profit: Finally, you will need to decide how you will use your profit to grow and sustain your business. This might include investing in new equipment, expanding the business, or saving for a rainy day.

Frequently Asked Questions About Mobile Nail Salon Business Plans:

Why do you need a business plan for a mobile nail salon business.

A business plan for a mobile nail salon business is essential for helping to determine the profitability and success of the venture. A business plan will help to set clear goals, identify potential risks, identify potential sources of financing, and provide an analysis of the competition. Additionally, a business plan can help to project and forecast sales, create marketing plans and outline a financial strategy. Having a comprehensive business plan will be critical for multiple facets of running a successful mobile nail salon business.

Who should you ask for help with your mobile nail salon business plan?

You should consider asking a business consultant or an accountant for help with your mobile nail salon business plan. They will be able to provide guidance and knowledge on setting up the business, and can help ensure that your business plan is complete and comprehensive. Additionally, they may be able to provide you with advice on financing options and other aspects of starting the business.

Can you write a mobile nail salon business plan yourself?

Writing a mobile nail salon business plan yourself is possible, but it may be time consuming and difficult. It is recommended to consult with an experienced business professional or consultant to ensure your plan is well-thought out and comprehensive. A professional can help you identify the necessary steps needed to launch your business, create a financial plan and provide guidance on the legal aspects of launching a mobile nail salon.

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I'm Nick, co-founder of newfoundr.com, dedicated to helping aspiring entrepreneurs succeed. As a small business owner with over five years of experience, I have garnered valuable knowledge and insights across a diverse range of industries. My passion for entrepreneurship drives me to share my expertise with aspiring entrepreneurs, empowering them to turn their business dreams into reality.

Through meticulous research and firsthand experience, I uncover the essential steps, software, tools, and costs associated with launching and maintaining a successful business. By demystifying the complexities of entrepreneurship, I provide the guidance and support needed for others to embark on their journey with confidence.

From assessing market viability and formulating business plans to selecting the right technology and navigating the financial landscape, I am dedicated to helping fellow entrepreneurs overcome challenges and unlock their full potential. As a steadfast advocate for small business success, my mission is to pave the way for a new generation of innovative and driven entrepreneurs who are ready to make their mark on the world.

How to Start Up Your Own Nail Business

In the past couple of years, beauty salons have been among the fastest growing businesses in the UK. In particular, the nail industry is booming, as clients look for unique manicures they can show off, as well as treat themselves to a little extra pampering in their busy week.

So, with competition gearing up, is now really a good time to start up your own nail business?

The opportunity is there – but, you have to be prepared to work for it! Starting up your own nail business takes a lot of thought, research and training if you want to make a success of it.

For those thinking about it, we’ve put together a guide full of information on how to set up your own nail business from home…

• Registering your business
• Getting insurance
• Setting up a business plan
• Making a marketing plan
• How long does it take to become a certified nail technician

Will My Nail Business Be Profitable?

• How Much Should You Charge for Nail Services?
• Salon, Mobile or Work From Home – Which is Best?
• Nail tech supply list

How to Set up a New Nail Business in the UK

When setting up a nail business in the UK, there are a few important steps you need to take first to ensure your business is established properly and legally…

Register your nail business

If you are just doing a few nail sets for friends in your living room, you probably don’t need to register yourself as a business.

But, if you are ready to start growing into a fully profitable nail technician, you will need to keep track of your earnings and ensure you declare them for tax.

When just starting up, many nail technicians set themselves up as a sole trader. This means you are now self-employed and personally responsible for all of your businesses finances.

To do this, you need:

• A national insurance number
• A record kept of all your incomings and outgoings over the financial year
• To send a self-assessed tax return every year
• To pay income tax on your profits

However, remember that this only applies when you start making over £1,000 from self-employment. So, be sure to keep track of your businesses finances so you know when you reach this point.

The government has plenty of advice on setting yourself up as a self-employed sole trader here .

Get yourself nail or beauty insurance

In the UK, it is strongly recommended that any self-employed nail tech or business is covered by insurance.

There are a few types of insurance to consider when starting a nail business:

• Public liability insurance
• Employers liability insurance
• Property insurance
• Personal accident/sickness insurance

Public liability insurance is the most important when starting a new nail business. It covers all accidents that could occur during your treatments, whether a client experiences an allergic reaction or hurts themselves on your premises.

Employers liability insurance is a legal requirement if you have any employees – which perhaps isn’t as likely if you have a new business.

If you are investing in your own salon premises, consider property insurance to protect it against any unpredictable damage. If you are setting up your nail business at home or are working mobile, getting insurance to cover loss of earnings due to sickness or injury is also a good idea to ensure you aren’t left out of pocket.

We have a full guide on the need for beauty insurance with more information and advice.

Set Out a Business Plan

Planning is key to making a success of your new nail business!

Writing a well-thought out business plan should be a priority before you make any more decisions. It’s also particularly important if you want to try and get investment or a loan for your start up.

Try and keep your business plan concise, making it clear what your business is, how it will make money, and the steps you will take to achieve this.

It’s important to include a financial plan, too. Set yourself a realistic budget for all of your outgoings and the profit you will aim to achieve.

There are plenty of resources available to help you write your business plan – take a look at the government website for a start.

Make a Marketing Plan

When you first set up your nail business, getting the word out there about it is a huge task.

So, don’t underestimate how much time you will need to put into marketing – allow yourself a set number of hours every week to work on it.

Start by laying out a marketing plan. Decide on who your ideal client and target audience are, then get thinking about ways to reach them. Some of these ways might require a budget, so factor this into your business plan.

Don’t forget about the power of social media, either. Set up a Facebook account for your business and make sure it has all your essential information – how to find you, your opening hours, contact details etc.

The great thing about nail businesses is that they are very visual by nature. So, leveraging Instagram to your advantage can help out, too. Do your best to create and share content as frequently as possible, creating a portfolio of your work. Take a look at Nails by Annabel to see how this nail tech turned herself into a whole brand.

We have some fantastic salon marketing advice over on our blog – go and check it out for more help!

What Qualifications Do You Need to Start a Nail Business?

In the UK, there is no specific qualification you need to take to be able to start a nail business. However, you will need to get insurance and many providers do require proof of qualifications in order to cover you.

So, while you could in theory be a self-taught nail technician, it is not recommended. A proper nail course will cover all the essential elements you will need to know, from properly applying nail enhancements to a high standard, to hygiene, health and safety and client care.

The best qualifications to start with are a level 2 or 3 certificate in nail technology or nail treatments. You can study for this in a college, which often will have entry requirements before you can enrol, such as a number of GCSEs or previous beauty qualifications.

How long does it take to become a certified nail technician?

It can take up to a year to complete a level 2 certificate in nail technology. You can find both full-time and part-time courses that best suit your needs.

You might find courses that are shorter, but they may not be in-depth enough to satisfy insurers. Always check the course syllabus to make sure you are paying for a comprehensive nail course.

Once you have your initial nail qualification, you might well be ready to start with your business. However, remember that learning and training never really comes to an end as a nail technician! It’s important to continue refining your skills and learning new techniques to ensure your business stays on top of its game.

In 2019, it was reported that 60% of new businesses go bust within 3 years – but, that doesn’t have to be the fate of your nail start-up!

Nail salon competition is fierce, but so long as you have a solid plan, keep control over your finances and do your market research, you will be in the best place possible to make a profit.

From the outset, do what you can to differentiate yourself from other nail businesses in the area. Maybe you could be the first to offer vegan nail services or your focus is on eco-friendly beauty . This will really help you stand out and give you a good marketing hook.

When first starting out, you will have to accept the fact that your nail business won’t be hugely profitable straight away. To build up a client base, your prices will need to be kept lower to attract some interest. Many new nail businesses use an introductory offer to get off the ground.

There are other ways you can make a profit out of your nail business, too. Retailing nail products to your clients can add a new stream, especially if you have products to help them maintain their manicure at home.

As you gain more experience, you could even look into offering training services to new nail technicians. Or, expanding your horizons, you could hire yourself out for parties, fashion events or even cruise ships!

Find out how bridal stylist Hannah Taylor and beauty expert Cheryl Taylor took the step into education in our Ask the Expert serie s.

How Much Should You Charge For Your Nail Services?

Following on from asking whether your nail business will be profitable, the next step is to ensure you are charging the right amount for your services.

It’s a good idea to research your other nail businesses in your area to see how much they charge for their services, but it’s important that you don’t meet them just because you think that you should.

Prices for nail services vary depending on a number of factors. Gel and acrylic nails can cost anywhere from £15 to £50 based on the location of the salon, experience of the nail technician and quality of products used.

First of all, you need to know how much profit you have to make to support not only your business, but yourself. When working out the cost of a single treatment, be sure to factor in everything over the financial year, such as:

• Fixed costs , such as any rent, utility bills, insurance, website fees etc
• One-off purchases such as new nail brushes, e-files or towels
• Regular supplies such as the nail polishes, monomer or cuticle oil you use for the treatment
• Disposable supplies that need frequent replenishment, such as cotton wool and face masks
• Miscellaneous items such as tea and coffee, magazines and loyalty cards
• Your time – both that you spend on the treatment, and travelling to and from the appointment if you are a mobile nail tech

Once you know the cost of each treatment, factor in the cost of National Insurance contributions and taxes or any loan repayments. Then, figure out how much profit you would need to make a living before finalising a price that works for you.

Salon, Mobile or Nails From Home – Which is Best?

There is one more big decision to make when thinking about starting up your own nail business – where will you be based?

There are a few main options to consider; setting yourself up in a salon, becoming a mobile nail technician or offering nail services from home.

Take a look at some of the main pros and cons here…

When first starting up your nail business, it’s usually best to wait until you are more established before investing a large amount of money in your own salon. Try starting out with one of the other models first.

We have a whole blog on Mobile Beautician vs Beauty Salon: Which Is Best?

What Does a Beginner Nail Tech Need?

Once you have everything set up for your nail business, it’s time to get shopping!

There is going to be a long list of items you are going to need as a beginner nail tech opening up business for the first time.

Take a look at our nail tech supply list to get going…

• Gel nail polish
• UV or LED lamp
• Gel nail prep and removal products
• The Best Gel Nail Polish Removal Products for Salons
• The Best Gel Top Coats For Nail Professionals
• What is the Best LED Nail Lamp?
• Acrylic nail powders
• Acrylic liquid
• Acrylic nail tips
• Nail brushes
• Builder gel
• The Best Acrylic Nail kits for Your Salon
• How Do You Clean Your Acrylic & Gel Nail Brushes?
• Files and buffers
• Nail art supplies
• Electric files and duct collectors
• The Best Nail Art Tutorials For Beauty Professionals
• Brand Spotlight: Saeyang E-Files & Dust Collectors
• The Best of Nail Accessories at Salons Direct
• Manicure products
• Nail and cuticle treatments
• Pedicure products
• Foot spas and pedi bowls
• Give the Perfect Pedicure with Voesh New York
• Cotton wool and tissues
• Disposable gloves
• Beauty towels
• Beauty cases
• Salon stationery
• Nail salon hygiene products
• Nail Hygiene: How to Make Sure Your Manicure Services are Completely Sanitary
• How to Stay Organised with Lotus Beauty Cases
• Manicure table
• Portable manicure table (for mobile nail techs)
• Manicure stools
• Pedicure chairs
• Pedicure stools
• Nail salon accessories

Looking for more professional nail supplies to start up your own nail business? Find them online today with Salons Direct!

Keep reading on the Salons Direct blog for more nail salon advice

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Mobile nail techs are increasingly in demand as  households spend more on beauty treatments  than ever before. If you’re transitioning from working in a beauty salon or home-based set-up, going mobile can offer more flexibility, less overheads and, ultimately, more freedom. 

There is a lot to consider before going mobile – from ensuring you have the correct kit, to managing your own finances and getting the right insurance. Here’s everything you need to know…

The pros and cons of being a mobile nail tech 

Being a mobile nail technician gives you the flexibility to work whenever and wherever you choose. It can be learned relatively quickly – in as little as a week full-time – and can easily fit around other jobs, making it a good choice if you’re looking to make extra income.   

Once you’re qualified, you’ll have your own business working in a hands-on, creative role – perfect if you like to work independently and are self-motivated.

The biggest downsides are job security and salary. On average, mobile nail techs reportedly earn between £12,000–£20,000 a year, going up to £25,000 for more experienced technicians, according to data from careers site How to Become .

Remember: being your own boss also means spending (unpaid) time managing your finances and various admin tasks.

However, another upside is that many nail techs also go on to rewarding roles such as teaching at colleges or in beauty salons. Others choose to work solely in television, theatre or the fashion industry, maintaining models’ hands for editorial photoshoots.

How to get your name out there as a mobile nail tech and build up a client base

Even if you’re planning to work as a mobile nail tech part-time, be prepared to put more hours in at the beginning than at any other time to get your business off the ground.

To get your name out there you can do everything from a local leaflet drop, adverts in the local press, setting up a website and launching a social media campaign. To attract as many clients as possible, you may want to offer an opening week or month special. 

Make sure you’re also on beauty booking websites, such as  Treatwell , if they serve your area. You can set up a business page for free and a commission is taken from every booking made via the site. 

“Word of mouth is the key,” award-winning manicurist Roxanne Campbell of  Revarnish London  says. “Once you do a brilliant job the customer will become a loyal, regular client and tell their family and friends about your company. This will create a domino effect and it’s free.”

Metta Francis, founder of mobile nail business  Nails By Mets , said building a great website was key to hear early success: “I spent a lot of time building my website and learning SEO ( Search Engine Optimisation ),” she explained.

“Back then,  social media  wasn't such a big catalyst and many first-time clients found me by simply Googling and looking for a mobile nail technician/nail artist. This was a massive win for me as it created credibility, simply by having a professional looking website and Google reviews. Encouraging clients to leave reviews and spread the word also helped me build my client base.

“I would network at events Nails by Mets were booked for too, which led to more industry events. I did a number of test photoshoots and to build up my editorial portfolio which led to session opportunities also.” 

How to charge what you're worth as a mobile nail tech – and stick to it

Many mobile nail techs are undercharging for their services, according to a  recent report . Make sure you know exactly how much your treatments cost per service, including products, disposables, travel time and expenses – as well as factoring in your wage itself. 

It’s all about charging smarter, upselling, and offering a high-quality service to a handful of clients a day. Squeezing in as many clients as possible into one day will mean extra travel expenses and could mean you have to charge less for a more “express” service.

Read one salon owner’s  advice on how to charge what you’re worth , no matter what kind of beauty business you are.

How to work out a set radius to work in

Analyse your service radius and make sure you focus on working within a certain area, charging extra for clients that live outside that radius to ensure you don’t spend too many hours on the road and wrack up too many overheads in travel expenses. 

How to make retail sales as a mobile nail tech

As a qualified nail technician, you can purchase a range of products, including your nail varnishes, removers, boards, files, and lotions at wholesale prices. You can then sell these products on to your clients at retail prices to make a profit.

“Always discuss aftercare with clients during their service,” Francis says. “This creates a nice introduction to the retail products you offer. Make sure to focus on how the products you sell help solve your client's issues too.”

Campbell adds: “Use amazing products that sell themselves. If the product is great and your clients see results, they will buy it multiple times.”

Francis recommends using tester or demos during the treatment “so your client can touch, smell, and familiarise themself with the product and feel the results for themselves. Don't just restrict yourself to in person clients,” she says. 

“Talk about retail products on social media and offer advice to your followers. Focus on a problem they may have, for example, cracked heels and which product you sell that helps alleviate/solves the problem. Have an online link so they can purchase directly – this really opens up your retail sales to everyone, nationwide.”

She adds: “Customers do not like a hard sell, but they might be persuaded to purchase a lotion or varnish if you recommend it to them as a way of maintaining their manicure.”

How to ensure your safety as a mobile nail tech

As a mobile nail technician, you’re responsible for the health and safety of your clients. As well as keeping all your equipment clean and regularly sterilised, you will also need to check the health and condition of your client’s nails and advise on appropriate aftercare. 

You will be using a wide variety of chemicals in your work, and you need to ensure these are stored safely.  These are the harmful chemicals in nail products to look out for . 

Why social media is so important to growing your brand as a mobile nail tech

If used effectively,  social media  can be a powerful (and free) tool to market and advertise your business, attracting new clients and ultimately growing your brand.

Francis explains that social media is “often used as a search engine now for clients looking for  nail art  or bridal nails, for example. I try not to spend so long on social media but it's all in the planning. Content generally needs to be interesting, high quality and show off your best work.  

“Stories, Reels,  TikTok videos  that show the process before/after, and even showing yourself tend to be the best performing posts. Static posts and photos also create a brilliant gallery/portfolio that clients can refer to.” 

Are you about to become a mobile nail tech? Tell us about your journey below.