Getting your foothold in the beauty industry is no easy feat—it requires education, diligence, and patience to hone your skills in this competitive career path. Whether your dream is opening your own small business or working under the guidance of a salon master, you must know where to begin. Prepare yourself for the long road ahead of you with our advice for how to start a career in the beauty industry and stay motivated to achieve your entrepreneurship goals.
Carefully Choose a Specific Industry
Your dream may be to open an all-purpose salon that offers anything from hair care to pedicures, but you need to stay on one path for now. In a business, it’ll be possible to hire on extra help for all the other beauty services you want to offer. For now, focus on becoming an expert of one branch of beauty rather than stretching yourself too thin.
Get Hands-On Certification
Now that you have an idea of which area of the beauty industry you want to specialize in, it’s time to become certified. The length of your certification or degree program depends on the amount of education required to become a professional. Some salon professions only take one year to two years to complete! Beauty industries such as fashion design may require at least a four year degree, while you may need a medical license for some beauty operations.
When choosing a school or certification class, make sure the provider cares about its students and employs teachers with credibility. A class that doesn’t provide you with hands-on training may not aptly prepare you for your field of choice, even if you get a certification.
Budget Wisely
Once you’re a professional in your field, it’s time to lay out the groundwork of your business and set both realistic and fantastical goals. Do you have enough to buy property for your business or will you have to start small and rent a salon studio? While you’re still figuring out the entrepreneur part, you may gain valuable experience by working in an established salon with seasoned professionals.
Another essential part of your budget and how to start a career in the beauty industry is the furniture. Furnishing a new business, especially one with specialized furniture, may quickly inflate your budget. However, your business relies on you purchasing the correct furnishings. After all, furniture for a customer-facing nail salon differs greatly from a private fashion design workshop! Make sure to choose the correct furniture for your business.
Remember: you can seek out business grants or scholarships to help with your expenses. There are many unique reasons why organizations provide entrepreneurs with money that you may qualify for!
