The beauty business is growing all the time in the UK. Mobile beauticians can capitalise on the growing image-consciousness of both sexes and offer their customers convenience and flexibility.
Many people prefer to be treated in the comfort of their own homes rather than going to a salon, so there are plenty of business opportunities for mobile beauty therapists. Going mobile can also suit the provider as well as the customer, as it negates the need for expensive premises.
If you’re thinking of setting up a mobile beautician business, you’ll obviously need transport. So a full driving licence and a vehicle large enough to carry your equipment are essentials.
You’ll also need the right qualifications. An NVQ level 2 or 3 would be a good starting point. There are various courses that could be appropriate for your chosen area of expertise, such as beauty therapy, nail services, make-up, massage and electrical facial treatments. Look online for relevant courses close to you.
Don’t limit yourself to one qualification, though; you can use your first as a foundation to start your business, then look to increase your skill set with more training and professional credentials as your enterprise grows.
Of course, you’ll need to decide on the kind of treatments you intend to offer. This will depend on your own talents and what you enjoy doing, as well as the demand for certain services in the geographical area you’ll be covering. To gauge the latter, you should carry out some market research.
The easiest way to start is by looking at the other businesses like yours. Check out what the competition is offering and what they’re charging. See if you can offer something different – try to develop a unique selling point (USP) for your business. Find out whether there is a need that isn’t currently being catered for by your rivals.
Depending on the services you provide, you might need to obtain a licence from your council. Policies and procedures differ among local authorities so find out exactly what you need to do. Bear in mind that if your travels take you to areas covered by a different authorities, you might need licences from those, too.
And don’t forget to register as self-employed with HM Revenue & Customs – this will affect the way you pay tax and national insurance. For more information, visit: http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/newbusinesses/iwtregister-as-self-employed.shtml.
As well as transport, the costs of your business will include the equipment and materials you’ll need to provide your services. You should also consider insurance. Public liability insurance will protect you against claims for injury or loss suffered as a result of your business. Many insurers offer packages specially tailored for beauty therapists – research the market for the deal that suits your business.
You’ll also need a budget for marketing – people need to know about your services so advertise in the relevant local media and distribute leaflets and business cards. Also consider building a website for your enterprise and promoting it via social media like Facebook and Twitter.
Word of mouth will play a big part in building your business so encourage satisfied clients to tell their friends and review your services on the internet. You can also use customer testimonials in your advertising and marketing.