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How Do I Start a Mobile Beauty Business?

A. Rohlandt
A. Rohlandt

The first step in starting a mobile beauty business is becoming qualified and making sure that you're able to offer the service legally. Once that's done you'll need to do market research in the area where you plan to work and decide which services you'll offer. Having high-quality equipment that is easy to transport is also important, and you should advertise your services once you're set up. Other important points include getting insurance, ensuring that are familiar with tax requirements, and that you have a good bookkeeping system set up.

If you want to start a mobile beauty business, you should be qualified to offer the service to the public. If you are US-based you may have to get a license to be able to offer these services legally, and this will mean meeting any educational criteria set by your state cosmetology board. Mobile beauty businesses may not be legal in some areas, so it would be best to check into this before you proceed to the next step.

Mobile beauticians have even more to think about than standard salon owners when it comes to insurance.
Mobile beauticians have even more to think about than standard salon owners when it comes to insurance.

Doing market research is also important when setting up a mobile beauty business, and you should perform your research in the areas you plan to cover. Finding out which services people want most will help you to provide a service that is in demand. It's also best to find out what competition you'll face from other business owners, and how many beauty businesses already operate in the area.

People interested in running a beauty business might start out as a direct seller of different products.
People interested in running a beauty business might start out as a direct seller of different products.

Getting the equipment you'll need should be the next step, and the most important consideration here is to get equipment that can be transported easily. The equipment you use should be of professional quality, lightweight, and compact. An aluminum carry case with wheels is ideal for transporting your beauty products, and offers a compact alternative to individual carry cases.

A mobile beauty therapist may travel to a customer's home to style the customer's hair and apply her makeup.
A mobile beauty therapist may travel to a customer's home to style the customer's hair and apply her makeup.

There are several ways to advertise your mobile beauty business. The first is to place advertisements in local newspapers or publications to generate interest locally. Another is to set up a website with details about your businesses, the services on offer, and the areas in which you are willing to work. Handing out leaflets or flyers can also help to generate interest in your services.

A mobile beauty therapist may be skilled at cutting hair.
A mobile beauty therapist may be skilled at cutting hair.

Getting insurance is often overlooked, but because you'll be offering a service to the public it may be one of the most important. Once you join an organization that offers liability insurance for cosmetologists, you should be able to choose between various forms of coverage. Experts suggest looking for packages that offer comprehensive benefits, so you may have to do comparisons before committing to a specific type.

Familiarizing yourself with tax requirements is also important if you're going to be self employed. As a self employed individual you'll be responsible for your own taxes, and you'll need to know when and how much to pay. You should familiarize yourself with any deductions that you qualify for, especially if you're going to do your own books.

It's best to have a good bookkeeping system in place even if you don't do your own taxes. Keeping a careful and accurate record of income and expenses may make it easier to work out what you owe at the end of each tax period. It's also best to keep all slips, receipts, and other important documentation that relate to your business and income.

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    • Mobile beauticians have even more to think about than standard salon owners when it comes to insurance.
      By: Max Tactic
      Mobile beauticians have even more to think about than standard salon owners when it comes to insurance.
    • People interested in running a beauty business might start out as a direct seller of different products.
      By: design56
      People interested in running a beauty business might start out as a direct seller of different products.
    • A mobile beauty therapist may travel to a customer's home to style the customer's hair and apply her makeup.
      By: mikelaptev
      A mobile beauty therapist may travel to a customer's home to style the customer's hair and apply her makeup.
    • A mobile beauty therapist may be skilled at cutting hair.
      By: Africa Studio
      A mobile beauty therapist may be skilled at cutting hair.