Opening a Nail Bar: Instructions for Use

 

Opening a Nail Bar

You never go out without nail polish, you love manicure evenings with your friends, and have decided to make your passion come alive through your job?

Opening a nail bar cannot be improvised. In this article, find all our tips for starting this professional activity: from market research to the business plan, including a marketing plan, we detail all the steps to follow before you start. Follow the guide!

Perform Market Research of a Nail Bar

The first step to starting a nail salon business plan is to carry out a market study to validate a business opportunity in the planned location area.

For this, you will need to study in detail:

·         Trends in the sector: which products and services are in vogue?

·         The profile, consumers' expectations, and purchasing habits: what is the typical customer profile? His budget?

·         The offer that already exists on the market: who are your future competitors? What services do they offer?

The Market

The wellness and beauty market is experiencing a real revival in the market, driven by individuals' enthusiasm for this sector.

However, if the market tends to increase in value, it tends to fall in volume. This can be explained by the fact that the make massive use of the kits offered for sale (laser epilator, manicure kit, etc.) offer consumers the possibility of carrying out certain treatments in their home formerly reserved for professionals in the sector.

Nail Salon Market: Trends and Projections

In this mixed context, beauty professionals tend to group by sector: tanning, slimming, manicure, etc

Imported from the United States in the 1970s, this activity allows in a few minutes, at a lower cost, most often without an appointment, to show off perfect hands with more or less sophisticated nails: from classic manicures to real ones. Works of art are referred to as "nail art".

The development of nail bars widely since the 2000s, the development of gel, more resistant than varnish since the 2010s, has further supported the development of nail salons. The semi-permanent varnish is popular. So much so that most nail bars offer them directly for sale. This activity has nothing to do with it since it represents a large part of turnover.

Nail Bars under the Influence of Changing Regulations

The nail bars are the subject of all the legislator's attention who seek to rule on the level of qualification necessary to perform certain services delivered by nail salons.

The nail prosthetist carries out the embellishment and extension of the nails of the hands and feet using well-being and comfort techniques without a medical purpose when the nail stylist performs aesthetic treatments called manicure and beauty of the feet.

We can nevertheless retain that:

·         nail prosthesis (false nails) can be performed by a person who does not hold a CA but who has followed a qualifying training of a minimum of 105 hours (the CCP - Professional Competence Certificate)

·         nail styling can only be practiced by the holder of a CAP, preferably completed by a Professional Competence Certificate

Open a Nail Bar: Independent or Franchise?

While it is entirely possible to open an independent nail bar, opting for a franchise can be a reassuring option in this context of changing regulations and uncertainty.

Indeed, launching your nail bar in a network will undoubtedly bring you more peace of mind since you will adopt a concept that has proven its worth and benefit from the advantages specific to the franchise: brand awareness, suppliers already identified, economies of scale.

If you choose to launch your nail bar franchise, you will be spoiled for choice since there is a considerable offer of brands on the market.

Finding a Room for Your Nail Bar

The next step in opening a nail bar is to find the location of your business.

The geographical location is one of the major factors in the development of your store and its turnover. The decision should, therefore, not be taken lightly.

Of course, the final location of your nail bar will depend on your business positioning. A chic nail bar with services and relatively high prices would have every interest in being located in the city center, and why not in an upscale neighborhood. On the other hand, a nail bar that emphasizes low prices and speed will be more likely to see its store empty in a shopping center.

The area required for your room will also depend on your concept. With appointment scheduling and large leather armchairs facing an individual desk, a luxury nail bar will require more space than a more affordable nail bar, with a common counter and simple bar stools for that clients to settle in.

What Legal Structure to Open a Nail Bar?

Opening a nail shop implies setting up a business and choosing the famous legal status.

Even if this does not appeal to you, it is essential to immerse yourself in the paperwork and study the different options to choose the legal status that best suits your activity.

In particular, you will have to choose between micro-entrepreneur, sole proprietorship, possibly with limited liability.

Please note that legal status choice is not without consequence since it will impact both the company's organization and the manager's social regime, and the company's tax regime.

It is, therefore, not a decision to be taken lightly, on the contrary!

To help you choose your nail salon's most appropriate legal status, refer to our guide to legal statuses.

The Human and Material Needs To Start a Nail Salon

To assess your estimated budget in your nail bar's business plan, you will need to quantify the human and material needs necessary for the opening of your business.

The Material Needs to Open a Nail Bar

Opening a nail salon implies having substantial equipment. In addition to the essentials of any commercial premises (computer station, bank card terminal, etc.), you will need to furnish the place (counter, armchairs, tables, decoration, lighting) to make it a warm space, where you can relax. Feels good.

You will also need to provide the necessary equipment specific to your activity: UV lamp to dry the varnish, stock of varnish, solvent, foot and hand cream, etc.

The Staffing Needs of a Nail Bar

When developing the estimated budget, also plan for possible hires for your nail bar.

Be careful to respect the regulations in force on the training and diplomas necessary to exercise this professional activity. If possible, we also recommend that you favor people with experience or, failing that, a real passion for the job.

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