How to Start a Lash Business from Home
Helping Small Businesses Thrive
This is the quick and simple guide to help you learn how to start a lash business from home.
The lash extension industry is booming across North America and over 70% of lash artists are self-employed. This leads to a competitive market when it comes to servicing your clients.
In this guide we’ll show you how to get the most value out of your lash business, and successfully compete against other lash stylists in your area.
Step #1: Decided on your location
Whether you will be renting a chair at a salon or working out of your home, choosing your main location is key.
Promoting the location for your services is a great way to give your clients an idea of what to expect.
Working from home, especially during the pandemic, can come with it’s own pros and cons. If you are starting out, the main benefit is reduced costs.
You save on rent owed to a salon, as well as other fees associated with sharing a space. Not to mention the tax benefits you can receive when using your dwelling as a place of work, but always check with a certified accountant first.
Some con can be the worry of having clients over during these uncertain times. Some people are not comfortable having people over who they don’t know where they’ve been, or who they’ve been with.
When it comes to renting a chair at a salon, your ability to meet more potential clients, expand on your ‘word-of-mouth’ marketing, and learning from coworkers are just a few of the positives
However, as mentioned above, cost can be an ever increasing issue. Depending on your salon location, brand, and client traffic, these prices can grow quickly. As a lash technician just starting out, these fees could eat into your take-home pay.
Step #2: Quality Equipment
For any solo technician, costs are always on the forefront of your mind.
As tempting as it may be to cut costs in any available area, don’t let it impact your work and your brand.
Finding quality lashes, glue, tweezers and more may cost more than you originally thought. But the end result to your client will show.
Do your research and avoid potential issues with clients. No one wants their customers leaving bad reviews and impacting your brand because they wake up with swollen, red, eyes the next day from your choice of lash glue.
Step #3: Social Media Marketing Strategy
One of your best, FREE, forms of marketing as a lash extension technician is social media. It doesn’t matter if you use Facebook, Instagram, Tik Tok, or others, pick no more than two and focus your energy on showing your amazing work, and happy clients to the world.
There’s a common misconception that more is better. Many lash artists try putting their work out there on every platform hoping to attract anyone they can.
Quality over quantity.
Don’t let your brand suffer because you have spread yourself too thin. Get familiar with one or two platforms, and focus your energy into learning them. Your brand will thank you
Step #4: Professional Presence
You need to look the part to play the part.
Pairing with the previous step, you want to give off the impression that you are a trustworthy, capable, passionate lash stylist.
This doesn’t mean you need to spend more money. Start off with how you want your clients to see you. What do you want them to think when they come across your brand?
Invest in items which can speak for themselves. Try thrift shops or second hand stores for decor that can help give your work area the feeling you desire.
Keeping clients comfortable and safe is your main concern.
Step #5: Scheduling Software for Client Management
As your business grows, so too will your client base.
Starting off, keeping track of appointments can be as simple as an excel spreadsheet and google calendar. But once things take off, handling this admin work yourself, in multiple locations can lead to a scheduling nightmare.
Not to mention legal issues regarding personal information related to your clients. New laws in Canada, specifically PIPEDA, are becoming stricter on how you manage and store your client’s information. Keep their information safe, and keep yourself away from the headache of potential legal issues.
Scheduling software can help by alleviating the stress of technical admin work. Offering you quick ways to check your appointments for the day, track clients and their last session with you, send follow up emails and reminders for their booking, and even focus on outreach and brand recognition.
Not to mention working around government regulations in times of the pandemic. More small businesses are being shut down by the day for neglecting to follow federal and provincial guidelines. Some scheduling services can offer you peace of mind, and help you work within the rules to keep your doors open. Such as COVID screening forms, client intake forms, consent forms and more to keep yourself and your clients safe.
Whatever you choose, make sure it’s the right fit for your business. Whether it comes down to price, features, or useability it is important to know what you want taken care of.
Don’t stress the paperwork and answering phone calls when your time can be spent better focused on your clients and giving them the lashes they’ve been dreaming about.
Conclusion
Running your own business can be hard, but when done correctly it can be extremely rewarding.
Don’t let yourself be overwhelmed with all the possibilities out there. Understand your brand, what you offer, how you will offer it, and leave the admin work to someone else. You only have so much time in the day, and energy to do it all.
Don’t spend it on the things that take away from your passion.
Check out how Telehippo can help you keep track of you bookings, clients, and marketing all in one place.