Open a Mobile Nail Salon

Mobile nail trucks are growing in popularity. As fewer people have the time to go to brick and mortar stores, mobile services are the perfect solution. They allow even the busiest of customers to fit nail care into their busy schedules, and they’re great for parties or office events, too!

If you’re thinking of taking your nail business mobile, now is the ideal time. Not only are they all the rage, but they also eliminate many of the headaches that come with a traditional business (like finding a storefront or hiring a large staff). Like any business, however, opening a mobile salon requires homework and preparation.

Here’s what you need to do before you take the leap.

What is a Mobile Nail Salon?

A mobile nail salon (sometimes called a mobile manicure/pedicure bar) is a manicure business that makes house calls and services parties and other events. Proprietors can offer generalized services, or choose a specific niche like eco-friendly services or a business that exclusively visits clients during their office lunch hour.

Get Educated

Even if you’ve worked in the nail industry for years, owning your own business (especially a mobile business) requires a whole new skill set. To prepare, consider enrolling in the local college or taking some online courses in business – and if you’re not familiar with the industry, take a course at a cosmetology school. Nail tech programs can take as little as a few months to complete and, in the end, you can take a test to earn your state certification.

Take Care of Legalities

Owning a mobile service usually requires special permits. Contact your state’s Business Action Center or a related department to find out exactly what is required. Depending on where you live, you may be required to get an Employer Identification Number (EIN) and a sales tax permit.

It is also worth noting that each state (and sometimes city) has rules about what sort of vehicle you are allowed to use for a mobile business and how that vehicle needs to be registered. Find out if your van or RV needs to be registered as a commercial vehicle and if you need a special license to drive it. Failure to register properly can result in hefty fines down the road and may also cause issues with your auto insurance.

Understand Tax Regulations

Part of owning a business, unfortunately, is paying taxes. Luckily, as the owner of a mobile salon, you may be entitled to some write-offs that other business owners are not. For example, because you don’t have a storefront, you may be able to write off the usage of your vehicle for business purposes. Each state has different tax regulations, so before you open shop, make sure you talk to an accountant.

Know Health and Safety Requirements

When you open a nail salon, health and safety is always a concern. For example, do you know what to do if a client gets cut and there is blood on your equipment? Or what procedure should be followed in the event of a chemical spill? It’s important to find out your state’s health and safety regulations not only to avoid fines but to ensure the safety of your clients and staff.

Also, note that many salon owners choose to have clients sign a waiver prior to treatment. When you own a mobile business, this is especially important. Why? Because when you don’t have a storefront and you’re working in other people’s homes or offices, you can’t control the environment. If someone gets injured or ill due to factors that are out of your control, you don’t want to liability to fall back on you.

Promote Yourself

Now for the fun stuff! Once you have all the technicalities out of the way, you can start marketing your business to try and attract new clients.  One of the best things you can do is to create an online presence through social media and a well-designed website.

With WordPress Website Builder, it’s easy to create a business website with little time or effort (even if you have no coding experience). With over 200+ themes and an easy drag-and-drop interface, there are no limits to your customization options – and with WordPress’ expansive plugin library, you can easily add functions such as online payment and mobile booking.

Create a Website for your Business

Starting any new business takes both time and commitment, but a mobile business requires special considerations.

You will face challenges along the way and having the right team behind you can make all the difference, and we’d love to be a part of that team.

Contact us today to find out how we can help you build and maintain the perfect business website and get started on your road to success.