Mothers are Making Money from Home with Beauty!

It’s a dog-eat-dog world out there.

And, when you have a few little pups of your own, your chances of survival change dramatically. This is true both in the wild, and in business (they’re sort of the same thing really).

How do you get back on the work-horse after having kids? It’s not a simple thing to leave the house anymore. You’re making twenty trips back and forth to the kitchen, bathroom, kids’ rooms, kitchen again, bathroom again…etc. More than enough reason to stay home.

But a growing family needs a growing bank account! How can you satisfy your finances when you need to be at home?

Many mums have found that starting a home business is the best way to manage their financial and home life. And no, we’re not suggesting a MLM (never!).

Starting a home business can be a precarious downward slope with little to no return. But…is it the same in beauty?

We already know there’s an enormous market for almost every beauty niche. And, there are plenty of in-home salons that are cashing in (just look at the YouTube In-Home Beauty Salons Suggestions). So, we know that it’s doable, but what does it take to succeed in an in-home beauty salon?

How are they doing it?

You know those at-home professionals/mothers who seem to always have their life together and make you question every decision you’ve ever made? You know the ones. Effortlessly classy, and always gorgeous, they make you feel like a sack of potatoes in comparison (but like…a cute sack of potatoes).

I’d be willing to bet that many of them have a thriving home salon, providing anything from nail services to lash extensions. They’re the beauty professionals who have worked the system in their favour. If you look at most of our course testimonials, you will see the vast majority of students are young mothers working as at-home beauty therapists, and it’s no wonder! With minimal start up costs, full client and price control, and schedule flexibility – the in-home salon is looking more and more attractive.

Earning money from home is absolutely doable. It just takes a little bit of time, effort, and passion.

What is involved?

Right, so you’re sold on the idea of a home salon. But what exactly is involved? Do you need a fancy degree, or some capital? We won’t lie, you will need something to cover start-up costs. Whether at home or in a shopping centre, every salon requires at least a basic fitout. But, thankfully, a home salon set up is way cheaper than in a full salon. There’s no reason for you to eat baked beans on toast for dinner weeks after (…unless you like that sort of thing. No judgement).

Education:

In Australia and NZ, you do not need a fancy accreditation. There are institutions that offer it, like most beauty schools, however it is also okay to get qualified through online short courses, or in-classroom short courses.

Workspace:

Once your certification is completed, then the fun begins! In order to complete your studies, you’ll likely already have some equipment. But, now it’s time for the atmospheric touches. Do you plan on offering your services as a clinical treatment, or in a relaxing, spa-like environment? Salon design is integral to client experience. If you can, ensure the space is separated as much as possible from the main living areas, to create a sense of ease and luxury – and so your clients feel your focus is solely on them.

Marketing:

You will need a way to get the word out about your home business. This may take the form of incredible customer care, high quality work, reasonable prices, or hiring a marketing management firm. Whether the expense is worth it, is up to you. But, marketing firms are often the reason your customer base expands, earning you higher revenue.

But, if you don’t have the money to invest in marketing, the greatest thing you can do is work on your customer skills. Give your clients a hand massage while they’re waiting. Give them some product samples, or add an extra 10 minutes to their treatment for free. Ask your clients for a testimonial or referral to their friends.

Word of mouth is your best friend. If you’re providing top quality treatments, you will build a loyal customer base.

How can you get the skills?

Now we get to the good part! There are so many options for training in beauty, so it’s important to do your research. Luckily for you, we’re pretty knowledgeable on beauty education. There are three main ways to learn your skills: Beauty School, Online short courses, and in-classroom short courses. Each of these methods differ in their strengths and weaknesses, but we’re going to focus specifically on online courses.

If you want to train towards setting up your own home salon, an online short course is one of the most effective ways to hone your skills. Not only will it teach you the discipline needed to work at home, but it will also help you set up your treatment rooms. Beauty beds, treatment equipment, and handbooks are often necessary to complete your qualifications and can continue to be used as you embark on your career.

You will also need to provide services to volunteers while studying, in order to cater to specific requests and needs and learn how to manage client communication. This is a daunting thing while you’re learning, but most people are quite happy to give up their time for a free beauty treatment, even from a student (cheap haircuts anyone?).

More importantly, if you are passionate and care about your clients, many of them will probably want to continue using your services. It is a great way to build up your client base, even as a student!

Most of all, an online beauty course will help you learn about yourself. What parameters do you need to put in place to be productive? How can you improve? Do you actually enjoy working from home?

The Skinny on In-Home Beauty Salons

There really is a market for in-home beauty treatments. But, beauty is also about the experience. No one goes to a beauty salon to feel kids running around their feet, or have their technician leave mid-treatment to take a call from their sister’s-husband’s-cousin who just wants a chat. A home salon should be no less professional than a full beauty salon. If you want to earn your income through beauty treatments from home, think about how you can achieve this. Perhaps you need a salon bungalow. Or a separate entrance. Beautiful decor, or maybe you need to send your kids to childcare while you work.

I know it’s a tricky business, but your clients’ privacy and expectations are of the highest priority. If you’re sold on a home salon, then make sure you’re really up for the work that comes with it. It’s a rewarding job, but still needs dedication and work.

What are our Top Tips for Starting your own In Home Beauty Salon?

Spend the Right Money:

You still need salon luxury, even from home. We don’t know anyone who would be willing to come back if you plonked them down on your couch, do you? Make sure you have the best fitout you can afford, and a separate space for your beauty services.

Investigate Legal Requirements:

Always, always, always! No matter what you’re starting up, it is so important to investigate your country’s regulations for small businesses and at-home salons.

Keep a Record:

Both your clients and your wallet will thank you! Record your business purchases for taxes. And, also keep track of your client treatments, so you can refer back before every appointment. As soon as your schedule picks up, you won’t be able to remember anything from a treatment 2 weeks ago.

Keep Prices Low:

Obviously, you still need to make a profit. However, a home salon is partially attractive because of the lower prices. It would be no use to charge more than a full beauty salon, until you’ve got a reputation for top quality services.

Find Scheduling Software:

You can always use an old diary, but scheduling software helps keep track of everything upcoming. And, they can alert you to upcoming meetings, consultations, and treatments.

Devise a Salon Business Plan:

Everything is better with a plan. It’s the difference between muddling your way through winding streets, and having a clear view of your destination. Things don’t always go right, but you will have a map to return to when everything else feels overwhelming.

Promote:

Social media is free. You can post pictures and descriptions of the treatments you offer, promotional offers, beauty and product info, and a wide range of other things! There are so many beauty focused social media accounts, so we know there’s an audience for it! Find your audience. If social media doesn’t get you work, take a look at online trading platforms like Fiverr, Beauty Finder, and Beautyfinda

Sell Retail Salon Products:

There are many brands that only offer their products through salons. Find a brand that you really like, and stock up on their product to offer your clients post-treatment. Many clients will want whatever products you used!

Get Insured:

No matter whether you’re working from home or a big beauty salon, you need public liability cover. Just in case anything ever goes wrong (touch-wood), it is important that you are covered from wrongdoing.

Consider a Work Phone:

You might be okay with using your own mobile for work calls, however separating your work and personal phone can allow you to sync up work scheduling and alerts on a separate device, and keep your personal line free. When working from home, we need to do whatever we can to separate our work and personal lives.

If you want to learn more about Beauty Courses Online, check out our courses page, and take the first step to financial security in beauty!

If you have any questions about what we offer, please visit our FAQs page, or contact us here >>