At-Home Nail Salon Requirements and Risks
By Alyssa Cink
Since 2020, the work-from-home life has become more feasible and desirable than ever. Self-employment, control over your atmosphere and schedule, choice of your clientele, and no rent—what’s not to love?But starting a nail salon at home isn’t as easy as “declaring” your house a salon. To make your work-from-home dreams come true, you’ll have to meet several requirements. You’ll also face some additional liability. In this article, we address three essential steps to starting a nail business at home.
Step 1: Research your local laws.
The first step to working as a nail technician from home is to research your municipality and state’s lawsto ensure your business’s compliance. Your county, HOA (if applicable), and your state board are great resources, too, says Tina Alberino of This Ugly Beauty Business.
Consider the following:
- What licenses and permits do you need? For example, does your state require separate bathrooms, sinks, entrances, or parking permits? What are the nail salon ventilation system requirements for chemicals and other fumes? Your city may also require a home occupation business license and registration with your state’s Department of Commerce.
- What about a hygiene and sanitation license?
- Can you run a nail business from homewith the space you have? Do you have enough room in your home to reserve a professional, private, and quiet atmosphere, away from shared living spaces? Can you accommodate accessibility requirements? Or will you need modifications?
- What inspections do you need?
Step 2: Make a plan.
Once you’re familiar with requirements and regulations, it’s time to plan. As Groupon Merchant recommends in their guide, strategize your prices, your budget for equipment and supplies, your marketing efforts, and any decorating or renovations your setup needs.
How will you promote your at-home beauty services? How will you build your clientele? What method will you use for booking and tracking appointments? Plan your marketing, sanitizing, and scheduling efforts ahead of time. That way, when your doors open, you’ll already have a system running as smoothly as your clients’ cuticles.
Step 3: Set boundaries.
Being a nail technician from home comes with the added concern of your professionalism. After all, if you start a home-based nail salon without researching how to do nails professionally at home, you might overlook crucial boundaries. Dirty laundry in the salon’s bathroom, dodging running kids and pets when they walk through the door, or being serviced by a technician in their bathrobe are all enough to make clients feel uncomfortable.
Designate spaces and boundaries that separate work from home. Remember, your clients are not your family or best friends, Alberino warns. Keeping those lives separate is essential to keeping your customers happy. Don’t leave your at-home nail art studio unprotected. If running a nail business from home is on your vision board, an insurance policy should be, too.
With WellnessPro, our coverage follows you no matter where you work. So you can work for someone else’s salon, start your own nail studio at home, and even transition to a mobile manicure business later. With glamorous nails and equally glamorous coverage, your home nail business will go the distance! Not currently insured? Scan the QR code to visit our website and start your coverage journey with WellnessPro.