Starting an eyelash extensions business can be a great way to make money while doing something you love. Eyelash extensions are becoming increasingly popular as more and more people are looking for ways to enhance their natural beauty. With the right knowledge, skills, and tools, you can start your own lash business and make a living by providing beautiful lashes to customers.
We will provide you with an overview of how to start an eyelash extension business in 19 steps, from taking training courses and getting certified to setting up social media accounts and marketing your services. It will also discuss the cost of starting a lash business, as well as the benefits of being a new lash technician in the industry.
What is my salon gonna cost me?
Starting your own eyelash extension business does require some upfront investment, but it doesn’t have to break the bank. The cost of starting your own lash business depends on several factors, such as whether you plan on working out of a home studio or leasing space, what kind of equipment you need, insurance costs, etc. On average, expect to spend around $2-5k when starting out, depending on the factors mentioned above. However, there are ways that you can save money when starting out, such as purchasing used equipment or getting creative with marketing without breaking the bank!
How Much Does it Cost to Start Your Own Lash Business?
When deciding how much it will cost to open your own lash salon or studio, there are several things that must be taken into consideration, such as location costs (renting/leasing), equipment purchases (lashes & adhesives), insurance premiums (business & liability), certifications/training fees (eyelash technician certification & continuing education classes). Other additional costs include advertising/marketing materials, website design, software programs for booking clients, aftercare products, supplies for sanitizing tools & station setup, any legal fees associated with registering a sole proprietorship or LLC, and taxes applicable for each state or country where you conduct services, etc. All these items add up quickly, so do research ahead of time before committing financially!
How To Start An Eyelash Business In 19 Steps:
1) Take A Training Course And Get Certified
Before beginning work in this field, it is important to take proper training courses and get certified by reputable organizations like the National Association of Lash Artists (NALA). This will give credibility among other professionals in the industry who may refer potential customers. Taking these eyelash extensions classes ensures that you understand safety protocols and proper application techniques, which are essential when providing high-quality services at all times. Certification also demonstrates a commitment to excellence, which is key if you want to grow your client base quickly over time!
2) Decide Whether You Want To Open A Home Studio Or Lease Space As A New Lash Tech
If you plan on opening your own home studio, ensure that all necessary regulations pertaining to sanitation standards, etc., have been met according to local laws governing beauty businesses in your area. Additionally, some states may require additional permits, so check with local government agencies before making any decisions here. Otherwise, those wanting flexibility could consider renting space from another established beauty parlor until their client base builds enough demand to justify opening permanent premises elsewhere down the line later on.
3) Set Income Goals
Having realistic expectations about income potentials should help guide the decision-making process throughout the entire journey! It is important not only to set realistic goals but also to create strategies to achieve them through thoughtful planning and execution of tactics implemented at every step along the way towards success!
4) Create A Business Plan
Writing a detailed plan outlining goals, strategies, and implementation details helps keep focus and stay motivated during times of adversity, while allowing room to adjust accordingly should the market change course due to unforeseen circumstances. Not only does having a clear strategy help reach objectives faster, but it also makes it easier to obtain the funding needed to launch the venture off the ground if required at a later date.
5) Know Your Target Market
Knowing the target demographic beforehand allows the entrepreneur to tailor offerings to suit a particular audience better, thus increasing the chances of converting leads into paying customers in the long run. Demographic considerations such as age group, gender preferences, lifestyle habits, spending power, socio-economic background, etc., all play a role in helping determine the appropriate direction to take in terms of services and making the most impact within the given marketplace.
6) Choose A Location
The location plays a huge part in determining the success or failure of many businesses, especially those dealing with personal care services like lashes. It is important to pick a place that is easily accessible, has adequate parking facilities, good foot traffic, and nearby amenities to cater to the needs of both staff and clientele, ensuring that the overall comfort level is maintained at the highest standard possible always!
7) Register Your Lash Business
The registration process varies from state to country, depending on local laws and regulations governing business operations within respective areas, so make sure to familiarize yourself with the applicable requirements to ensure compliance at all times. Once registered, it will be necessary to open a separate bank account to manage finances and keep track of expenses and income, etc., while maintaining a professional image!
8) Get Insurance For Eyelash Extensions Business
Taking out insurance to cover any eventualities occurring during services provided to clients helps protect both parties involved should anything go wrong down the line. It is important to research different types of policies available to ensure you pick the one best suited to your particular needs as well as budget restraints at hand.
9) Open A Business Bank Account
Opening a business bank account allows for easier tracking of income and expenditure and provides a better overview of the financial situation on behalf of the company! Not only does this help monitor progress towards goals, but it also makes filing taxes much simpler when the end of the year comes too!
10) Buy The Necessary Equipment
Purchasing the necessary equipment for lash extension application, such as lashes, adhesives, tweezers, etc., must be done with utmost care and consideration in order to get the best possible value for the money spent. Do your research online and read reviews from customers who have already purchased these items in order to make an informed decision before committing financially to any purchase. Additionally, some places offer discounts for bulk orders, which could save quite a bit of money overall if needed at a later date!
11) Create A Comfortable Space
Setting up a comfortable space where clients can relax and feel at ease while having extensions applied is key to ensuring a positive experience every time they visit the studio/salon! Investing in quality furniture and lighting helps create an atmosphere conducive to relaxation and ensures that the customer satisfaction rate remains high, which is a great way to build a loyal customer base over a period of time!
12) Create An Aftercare Plan
Developing a comprehensive aftercare plan that outlines the steps taken when performing maintenance and touch-ups is important to maintain quality work standards and keeping customers happy and safe at the same time! This includes providing detailed instructions on how to cleanse the area around the eyes, gently remove adhesive, and properly store used lashes, etc., so that they remain intact and usable for the next appointment. Having this information readily available for staff members to follow along with each step goes a long way in maintaining a successful relationship between clientele and the business itself!
13) Have A Stock Of Client Record Cards
Keeping accurate records for each client, including their contact details and the history of treatments carried out on them, is an invaluable tool when providing personalized services, as it allows the technician to look back at previous notes and see what worked and didn’t work when dealing with a particular case or individual. Doing this also helps build rapport between the two parties, fostering a stronger bond of mutual trust, which leads to repeat business and eventually results in increased profits and bottom line!
14) Set Your Prices
When setting prices for the services offered, it’s essential to keep in mind the cost of living, wage differences in the competition, while ensuring enough profit is left over to reinvest in growth and expansion plans for future endeavors. Generally speaking, charging on an hourly basis lower than competitors but slightly higher when quality products are used guarantees that the customer satisfaction rate stays high always! Offering packages, deals for group bookings, and special occasions can attract more attention from potential buyers in the marketplace too!
15) Set Up Social Media Accounts
Creating social media accounts on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc., helps promote the brand name and gives entrepreneurs the opportunity to engage with the target audience directly and interactively, thus increasing the chances of conversion into paying customers over time. It’s also a great way to showcase a portfolio of images, testimonials, receive feedback, gauge public opinion, identify potential gaps in services in the field, and provide solutions to fill those voids accordingly!
16) Create A Professional Website
Designing a professional website showcasing a portfolio of images and descriptions of the various services offered is helpful in creating a digital presence in the internet space in today’s day and age. Having your own domain not only adds legitimacy to the business itself but can also act as a platform to advertise promotions, offers, run competitions, reward loyal followers, incentivize new ones to join the mailing list, or even create subscription-based membership options that allow access to exclusive content otherwise unavailable elsewhere. All these features help increase traffic to the site, eventually leading to greater visibility among search engine results page (SERP) rankings. The end result is more people coming across your offerings and converting sales. The conversion process is also facilitated through these features.
17) Set Up A Booking System
Setting up a booking system streamlines the entire process, allowing clients to quickly and easily book appointments for desired time slots without hassle. Using software programs like Acuity Scheduling, Calendly, or Appointy greatly simplifies the whole procedure, eliminating the need to manually manage scheduling and freeing up valuable resources to focus on other aspects of running the business instead. There are many free options available to suit budget constraints. However, investing in the paid version often yields a better return on investment (ROI) in the long run due to the advanced features and capabilities they offer compared to free alternatives.
18) Market Your Business
Utilizing various marketing techniques such as email campaigns, blogging, SEO optimization, pay-per-click advertising, social media influencers, viral videos, referral programs, and word-of-mouth promotion can increase brand awareness and spread your message as far and wide as possible, ultimately reaching a wider audience and increasing the chances of lead generation, conversions, and overall sales. Experimenting with different strategies and testing their effectiveness against others can help determine the most effective route to take in order to get the maximum return on investment (ROI). Market your lash business isn’t an option, it’s vital! The goal here is to achieve results-oriented outcomes.
19) Expand Your Services
Offering additional services beyond basic eyelash extension application can help diversify your product range, attract a new set of customers, and widen your reach, expanding your horizons further still. Consider branching out into makeup artistry, waxing, threading, microblading, tinting, and other related beauty treatments to broaden your appeal and gain an edge over the competition in terms of industry expertise and knowledge base acquired through years of experience. You can also create your own eyelash extensions line, promote them and sell them worldwide! Not only does doing so expand your service offering to existing clients, but it also opens doors to opportunities in unexplored markets and previously untapped potential profit margins that have yet to be discovered!
Benefits To Starting Your Own Lash Business As A New Lash Tech
Starting your own lash business has several benefits for a new lash technician. First and foremost, you are able to set your own hours and work schedule according to your preferences and availability. You are in control of the pricing structure for your services, meaning you can decide how much to charge for each type of service or package that you offer. Furthermore, you have the freedom to experiment with different techniques and methods in order to develop unique styles that will set you apart from other technicians in the industry. Finally, owning a lash business allows you to network with fellow professionals in the industry and build relationships with salons and spas that may refer customers your way or even hire you as an independent contractor or freelancer.
