There is money to be made in waxing! Yes, facials and massages and lash extensions are great, but this industry would be nothing without waxing. From eyebrows to legs to back, hair removal is a tried-and-true business concept. We’re sure you’re already familiar with some of the well-known chains that dedicate their brand to waxing.
If you’re interested in pursuing waxing full time, then this blog post is for you. Below, we outline the steps you need to take to open your own waxing salon. Be warned, it’s not as easy as pulling that wax strip off, but if you put in the hard work, you can have the career and business you’ve always wanted.
7 steps to Opening Your Own Waxing Business
Get an esthetic license
Before you can open your waxing salon, you must be licensed to perform the treatment. In the state of Texas, waxing falls under an esthetic license from the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. Our Premier Esthetics course covers all things waxing and hair removal, as well as other skin treatments.
Getting an esthetic license will also allow you to offer other service at your salon like eyebrow tinting and lash lifts.
Create a business plan
Did you know that those who proactively plan projects are 356% more likely to report success1? Creating a business plan with concrete steps you need to take will increase your chances of achieving your goals. From deciding a pricing structure to employee responsibilities, defining all of the aspects of your business in a document will help you in the long run, even if it seems like a lot of busy work.
Pro Tip: use this time to make your business legal and funded. You will need to file your business with the government and set up a business bank account.
Find a location
Once you have your business plan set, it’s time to secure the location where you’ll be waxing those eyebrows! You can use a real estate agent or an online tool like LoopNet to find retail spaces in your target location.
Design your brand
If you’ve made it this far then your dream is starting to come together! Congrats! All of your planning thus far has addressed the bones of the business, now it’s time to fill it out. Your business’s brand is everything the client will see or interact with. This includes interior design, branding (logo, fonts, colors, messaging), marketing materials (business cards, service menus, brochures, flyers), website, amenities in the salon, etc. The main goal here is cohesiveness – you want your clients to relate to your business’s brand and feel excited to enter your space. No hot messes allowed.
Obtain a Salon License
As a business owner, you will need to license your business with TDLR. In Texas, you have two different options to license your waxing business – Cosmetology Salon licensing and Mini-Salon licensing. You can find more information on these two licenses on TDLR’s website at the links below. Once you’ve met all the state requirements and received your license, its go time!
Order supplies
If you’re a true waxing enthusiast, then this step will be very exciting. Here, you’ll order all of the supplies you’ll need to run your business. Don’t forget about the administration part of your business! In addition to waxing supplies, you’ll need stuff for cleaning, sanitation, office work…employee happy hours?
Promote your business
The last stretch of opening your business unfortunately may be the hardest. Getting clients in the door isn’t always easy but creating a plan will help you succeed! Just as you created a business plan before, it’s important to create a marketing plan. Writing down your long-term business goals and connecting them with different marketing strategies will make sure all of your hard work pays off.
Strategies that will help you grow your business include social media marketing, digital marketing, search engine optimization (SEO) and media relations. Not sure how to do these things? Make sure to check out the rest of the ICE Tea blog for helpful information on building a beauty business.
Last but not least, CELEBRATE!
You did it! From dreams to reality is seven steps. Easier said than done, but anything is possible with hard work, dedication and a little help from us.
ICE&M is just the starting point to a rewarding career you’ve always dreamed of, but we are here to help you every step of the way. If you’re thinking of opening your own waxing, lash extension, esthetic, massage therapy or cosmetology business, schedule a campus tour today!
References
1. https://coschedule.com/marketing-statistics/