Are you looking for something that you can do to the beat of your own drum? A type of business where you don’t have to worry about specific schedules or bosses telling you what you can and can’t do? Are you a university student who feels like they’re drowning in trying to balance studying, socialising and working that 14 hour waitressing shift that leaves you tired and drained?
If any of this sounds familiar we could have the perfect side hustle idea for you this summer! The nail industry is currently a booming business, filled with high-demand and willing to pay up front customers, making it the perfect side hustle for any busy student this summer. In this article we will make sure to clear up any issues, give you the answers you need and give you a definitive guide on how to unleash your true potential into the nail industry..
How To Start Up Your Business
Whether you’re a passionate nail lover or just starting up, it’s really not as hard as it may seem. With some practice and gaining your own technique you can be as good as the professionals in just about no time. That’s one of the best things about starting in the nail industry as a side hustle- you do not need to be the best of the best or the most professional straight away. As long as you are keeping prices relatively low as you practise and increase them as you continue to get better with time; there is really no place for you to go wrong..
Delving into the nail industry in itself can be highly remunerative, although it may require you to invest into it in the beginning. Before you start to practise on real people it is always worth purchasing a fake silicone hand that can be found on most online stores. Whether it be Amazon, Ebay or Etsy, these are excellent for correcting any mistakes that come up along the way without the stress of it being on an actual person. If you are feeling a bit more confident, you also have your own hands to practise on, so you can continue to improve.
The following list is made of of things that you need to improve on or purchase before attempting a business venture into the Nail industry:
Professional Tools & Equipment
When it comes to the tools and equipment, having a high standard set can be a complete game changer when it comes to delivering high-quality nail services. Some of the must-have items include nail files and buffers, nail clipper and cuticle nippers, nail art brushes, manicure bowls, UV/LED nail lamp, electric nail drill, nail forms and tips, nail gel polishes, sanitization and sterilisation tools, nail product remover and any type of powder or gel for nail type your working with; whether it be acrylic, express, builder gel or just plain gels.
Portfolio of your best work & images
When it comes to customers, they want to see your work up front. A portfolio should be built up overtime with a large variation of images of your work, different sets of nails you have completed, different types and different designs. You could even make smaller themed portfolios for different types of nail art that you have completed. You could have a specific one for acrylics, one gels or builder gels and one for express.
Setting up a work zone/online platform
The very best thing about the Nail Industry is that you can do it from the very comfort of your own home. All you would have to do would be to buy a good quality nail table and chair which you could work from. You don’t need any fancy salons or workshops in order to make your idea work. Within this industry there is also a huge demand for mobile nail technicians, which would mean being able to get to other peoples homes, which is perfect if you have the ability to drive.
Legal Certificates
When really taking your side hustle seriously you should consider obtaining some real training. There are plenty of qualified nail technicians or different beauty training services that can provide these courses, some of them entirely free. Just a few of these courses can include: nail technician certificate, nail art and design certificate, gel nail extension certificate, acrylic nail extension certificate, nail care and health certificate. Having these qualifications behind you as a back-up can look reliable and promising to any customers who come to you.
Time Management And Work Life Balance
The Nail Industry is mainly grown so much in popularity because of the be your own boss feel that it can give to people.With the freedom to be able to decide your own days and give yourself flexible working around that fit around you, rather than trying to make your day fit around work, many people are opting for it as a side hustle. It gives a much more laid back feel to the working life and can be perfect for university students that are looking to be able to still have time to focus on their studies and spend valuable time with their friends and family.
Industry Updates And Networking
Staying on top of all of the latest trends within the nail industry is very important to do once you launch your business. The demand for beautiful looking nails never goes away but styles and favoured types of nails definitely change, we saw how popular the classic acrylic nail was growing but now times are changing and people want the same results at a faster pace, which is where express came from, a similar technique whereby the artificial nail is thicker and it is stuck down with an acrylic gel rather than built up with an acrylic powder. There was also the introduction of builder-gel which goes onto the natural nail and develops overtime to help your nails to grow as you pick and choose colours or designs. However some people still do opt for the classic gel or acrylic nail, times are changing and you have to keep on top of that.
Joining different online communities such as Facebook groups or following different creators on social media like Instagram can help you to keep up with the forever evolving trends, so you can know where the money is.
Customer Service And Client Retention- H2
One of the most rewarding outcomes from the nail industry has to be the client base that you can build up. Nothing screams successful business like having a whole bunch of clients that trust you lined up for you. Learning to be able to exceed people’s expectations when it comes to quality and design as we as being an all round friendly person and someone they can feel comfortable coming to for a chat is the key to having a successful nail side hustle. A positive face and a set of skilled hands will keep people coming back for more.
All in all, now we have broken down everything there is to know surrounding this side hustle, you may be primed and ready to enter the nail industry. Although this can give some additional income, it may still take time to refine your practices and build an established base of clientele.
