Startup costs to consider for your eyelash business

Starting a business can be both exciting and stressful. It’s a lot of work, and there are always startup costs. Lash businesses are no exception. It’s tough to know how to begin when starting a lash business–if you’re just getting into the beauty industry, it has extra difficulties. 

You need to know what equipment you will need, whether or not you should open a salon or work from home, decide if you’re going to be working with others, and any other details that go with starting a business. 

Starting a lash business can be very rewarding, as well. You just need to know what you need to get the business running. 

Define Business Goals

Before starting your business, you need to define your long and short-term goals. You should outline a timeline or at least draw a path to where you want the business to go. 

Ask yourself the following questions:

• Have you provided eyelash extensions for people in the past? What feedback did they give?
• Do I need more training to operate my eyelash extension business? 
• How much time am I going to devote to operating my eyelash extension business?
• What are the startup and ongoing costs for my business?

These questions should provide you with information to help you decide how to move forward. Your expectations should be clear, and then you can use them to guide you along the way.

Startup Costs to Consider

First, you need to decide where you want to operate your business. Lash artists have the choice to work from home or in a beauty salon. This decision will determine how high or low your startup costs will be. 

Working From Home

If you choose to work from home, your startup costs will be lower because you won’t be renting or buying an additional space. Working from home is a good place to start, as you won’t be locked into a lease if you decide you don’t want to work in the industry long-term. 

In-house lash artists are very common. In fact, many clients prefer their techs to work from home. If you have the space, you can set up a room or specific space for your lash business. 

One of the top benefits to working in-house is the flexibility. You can decide when you work, building your schedule around not only other things in your life but your clients’ lives as well. You can even choose to run irregular hours to attract clients with certain schedules, like working nights. 

Working in a Salon

The main perk to working in a salon is the designated space. Working from home can make it difficult to separate home and work. Working in a salon separates the two easily. Some clients may prefer it, as they may not be comfortable coming into your personal space–and you may not be comfortable letting them. 

Working in a salon can create a better work-life balance. Your store hours will likely be set. 

If you decide to work in a salon, you have the choice between working in a salon that is already established or starting your own. 

Renting a space in a salon can have its benefits, since you won’t be responsible for all the overhead costs. They often offer spaces for lash technicians to rent. You can work with your fellow lash artists and business owners to bring clients to each other, and you may enjoy working with others instead of by yourself. 

If you’re renting a space on your own, your startup costs and ongoing costs will increase significantly. You will have the freedom to brand and decorate your own salon, however. This is something that is best to consider once you’ve established a business for a while. 

Equipment

Equipment is going to be a major part of your startup costs. You will need plenty of equipment, including lash tweezers, lashes, lash adhesives, adhesive removers, extension tape, lash brushes, lash primer, eye pads, salon chairs (depending on your situation), and many other things. Investing in high-quality equipment and products will help you give the best quality service. 

Sanitation and Safety

It’s important to budget safety and sanitation into your costs because you will have many guidelines to abide by. You’ll need disinfectants to use after every client. 

There are also safety measures you need to be aware of, as there are risks involved in eyelash extensions–including infections, allergic reactions, conditions where lashes fall out, and potential damage to the eyeball (conjunctional erosion). 

Marketing

You will need to get the word out about what you are doing, so setting aside a marketing budget is a must. There are multiple ways to do this no matter what your budget is. You can use social media, magazines, newspapers and even word-of-mouth. When you are just starting out, social media is your best marketing tool. Utilize before and after photos and invest in great lighting to really make your images pop.

Jumpstart Your Lash Career With Lashia Eyelash Design

At Lashia Eyelash Design, we have a lot of things going for us, including:

• We provide mentored/extensive training. We don’t just teach eyelash extensions; we create Lash Artists.
• We have experience in the Lash Industry. We are involved in some of the most significant associations. Lashia has been the organiser of numerous lash events, such as the Swedish Championships, Lash Bash, and The Lash Open.

We provide the following services:

• We provide mentored Eyelash Extension training in small groups. We make you an expert and help you start a lash business, including one-on-one support and practical exam.
• Virtual course – includes all our fundamentals online, three-in-one person sessions, and our practical exam.
• Premium Products for Eyelash Extensions to get your career started and keep it going strong.

Don’t wait! Contact us today!