If you’re thinking of starting your own nail tech business, there are a lot of things to consider, like building a business plan, researching cost, and finding the right tools for you. According to Statista, there are over 395,000 nail techs in the United States as of 2018. With that much competition, setting yourself apart may feel daunting. But nail businesses can offer techs the opportunity to start small and build a client base as their company grows.
If you are starting a business as a nail tech, start with the basic supplies of a UV LED lamp (more on that below!), nail polishes, and shaping tools like files, buffers, and clippers. If you’ve decided a nail business is right for you, read below for how to get started.
Find Your People
There are many magazines and communities online that can help aspiring nail techs learn new techniques and best products. Magazines like Harper’s Bazaar, InStyle, Cosmopolitan, and Elle often include lists of nail products that are worth investing in.
Cross-referencing lists across these different sources can also help narrow down which products are right for you. Our SunUV nail lamps were featured in an InStyle article about quality at-home gel manicures, and was put on lists of best UV LED Lamps for Harper’s Bazaar, Cosmopolitan, and Elle.
Communities on online forums like Reddit or even made through connections on Instagram are also great places to conduct research. See what products other nail techs are using and showing on their posts to build inspiration - and your wish list.
Who, what, where, when, why, how?
Consider your target clients and what type of nail business would best serve them.
Are you opening a storefront location for local customers? The tools you choose to buy could be permanent equipment that doesn’t need to be packed up and moved around like the Sun3 UV LED Nail Lamp.
Are you starting a business as a traveling nail tech for clients who need nails for big events? Choosing a nail lamp like the Sun9C UV LED Lamp that is small and portable will allow you to provide clients with quality service from the comfort of their home or venue.
Go Forth and Explore!
Many popular cosmetology websites and publications also publish lists of trade shows for upcoming months. Attending trade shows can provide you with opportunities to network with other nail techs and find news brands and products that work well for your business.
Good Luck!
Starting a new business, at any time of the year, can be scary. Luckily there are plenty of resources on and offline to help you research and grow your company, whether you just started yesterday or have been in business for years.