4 things to consider before starting your own nail technician business

Starting your own nail business is a great way to earn money and set your own hours by working from home or as a mobile artist.

Perfect for busy mums, and people who want to be their own boss, the job of a self employed Nail Technician is a fun, social, creative and achievable way to make a living.

What does a Nail Technician do?

Nail Technicians perform a number of services for clients. These services include manicures and pedicures, hand and foot massage, nail repair, applying nail enhancements like gel and acrylics, and creative nail artistry such as polish design and nail jewellery.

The job also involves the use of equipment to shape, buff, polish and airbrush nails, and a thorough knowledge of safety and sterilisation procedures.

Finally, Nail Technicians are also a one-stop-shop for nail care advice. They are experts at evaluating the condition and appearance of their clients nails and providing advice on proper nail care.

What’s particularly great about the job, is that Nail Technicians have flexibility. They can work in a salon or a spa, or for themselves out of their own homes, or by making house calls to their clients.

What’s the industry like?

Currently there are 24,500 Nail Technicians in Australia, but with the demand for nail services growing, this figure is set to jump to 30,800 in the next two years.

In terms of pay, Nail Technicians can expect to earn anything from $30,000 to $70,000 per year.

So how exactly do you become a Nail Technician?

Firstly, you need some training so that you can learn the skills to give professional nail services, understand nail care, and how to master safety and sterilisation.

Training should also include some business skills, so that you have the knowledge to set up and run your own business successfully, meeting all the legal and taxation requirements.

Thinking of setting up your own business?

Owning your own business can be an empowering and rewarding way to make money. You get to set your own hours, work where you want, and build a base of clients that you genuinely enjoy working with.

Before you dive in, however, it’s important that you give yourself the best chance of success by having a strong, well thought out business plan.

Below you’ll find a list of the top four things you need to consider before becoming a business owner.

1. Business analysis

Ask yourself the following questions. Don’t rush your answers. Remember this is your life, your career and your livelihood you are considering. You want to make the best decisions and give your business a flying start.

• What services am I going to provide?
• How many hours (realistically) am I willing to put into starting and building my business per week?
• Do I have all the skills and qualifications I need to start this business?
• How much money do I need to earn every week to pay for the running of the business, pay myself a wage, and cover my costs?

2. Competitors

To be successful you will need to have a look at the market around you. Think about who your business competitors are.

Do some research on your competitors to find out:

• What services do they offer and what do they charge?
• How good is their customer service?
• What are their strengths and what are their weaknesses?

Now ask yourself if there is a spot in the market for you to fit in? Consider how you are going to stand out from the crowd and what your point of difference will be. Basically, what will you offer that your competitors can’t and why will customers choose you?

3. Finding your customers

Have a think about who your target customer is. Where are they located? How does this customer tend to behave (their spending habits, etc.)? What do they value (time, creativity, a good chat)? What are they looking for in a nail service (latest trends, a place to relax, a quick treatment)?

Now that you have a better idea of who you want to sell to, consider how you are going to let them know about your business, and why they should chose you over your competitors.

4. Permits and insurance

You need to find out what permits and insurance you need to run your business. Being aware of what your legal and insurance requirements are before you start your business will save you time and stress in the long run.

Click here for more information about permits, taxation and insurance.

Helpful resources

For more information on setting up a small business, head to the Australian government’s Business site or check out this post.

The next step

Starting your own business can be one of the most rewarding things you will ever do. It can really change your life.

To be successful, you need to make sure you have the right training. Open Colleges offers the SHB30315 Certificate III in Nail Technology which covers all the professional skills and knowledge you need. The Certificate will also teach you how to properly set up and run a business, and how to use social media to promote it.

Taking the extra time to get professional skills, and to properly map out a business plan can be the difference between a successful business and one that struggles.

So if you love people, you love all things nails, and you want to be your own boss, you really can have it all as a Nail Technician!