Home-Based Estheticians

@Julia - Thanks for responding! I have the product lines that I have in mind to combine!  

I am a registered nurse, nail technician, and esthetician who opened my own practice right out of school. I currently rent space from a salon owner. The salon is very new and the decorations are beautiful but the stylist are not very professional and the owner brings her pomeranian to the salon everyday. My clients have commented on not liking the dog being in the salon. My rent is $700 a month and I don't have the retail space I need. I always wanted my practice to be home based but my husband and esthetics instructor thought it would be best if was in a salon. I have been in the salon since April and have gained maybe three clients, the rest have come from my own marketing. I am considering finding a medical director so I can add botox and fillers to my menu and a dog running around is just gross, even though he isn't ever in my treatment room. Has anyone moved their business home before the had steady clients?

I did start out in my home, then moved my spa to the town close to where I live and put up with things I didn't like.  Even tho I had more room I decided to move my location back home and enjoy it so much better.  My clients do too! I love the convenience and they don't seem to mind driving a few extra miles to see me.  I would definitely recommend you to work from home and save those extra $$ you are spending on rent or invest it in products you can retail, and some nice decor for the atmosphere you want to achieve.

Eva, I use Vista Print and I really like it because you can add any options you would like to your website without having to pay someone professional.

Awesome Adrianne! Thank you for your feedback.  ;0)

Greetings to fellow members of home-based beauty service business.

Eye Do Lashes just join your group and I thought I'd give a short introduction and hopefully, establish a networking relationship with all.

Eye Do Lashes specializes in the application individual eyelash extensions and we are located in the beautiful Crosswater community in Lake Stevens WA. Visit our website: www.eyedolasheswa.com

Thank you and blessings to all.

Jean-Paulo Yabut

"We live by and love your referrals."

Hard to accept that its been raining, cloudy and cold here in home-based business in Lake Stevens WA; while it was beautiful, warm and sunny just last week. Yet, every good and perfect gift is from above..." James 1:17

I hope everyone is having a wonderful Monday...I am ( :

I can't help but think a number of estheticians with home spas who are posting information are not "officially" a business. By that, I mean, have set up with and met their state's requirements to open a business and obtained all the licensing prior to opening the doors.

I get doing some family and friends out of your home - though by law you are not allowed to charge...can accept tips.  At least in NC. My state probably doesn't differ too much from other states in what is required.

 I wish it were easier to set up a home business. You also have to be in an area that is zoned for businesses.

I'm so excited, my dream is finally coming true I have found property that is business zoned in an area where my neighbors businesses will be three attorneys, one cardiac suregeon, and a periodontist. It is a huge house that I can live in with a completly separate entrance and add on that already has a handicap ramp. I'm a little overwhelmed with some of the city ordinances, it seems there's a fee for almost everything. Has anyone ever done this the official way and if so do you have any advice?

Congratulations Adrianne! Yes, all the zoning and the regulations really vary from not only state to state, but county to county. It's certainly wise to be sure you're doing everything legally, obtaining the necessary licensing, and it sounds like you'll have great neighbors! Keep us informed! I'm very excited for you!!

I opened my skin care practice in 2004 in my bungalow here in the historic district of Snohomish after graduating from the Euro.  Would love to share my success with anyone thinking of doing a home based practice.  It has been so rewarding!  Word of mouth advertising works wo well when you offer something in the way of a service that no one else offers.  I use fresh herbs from my garden in my treatments and would love to offer suggestions if any of you are interested.

There are several suggestions that could certainly lead to success with a home business: Number One: tell everyone you have a wonderful passion to help people with their skin health which has led to opening your own practice.  They will feel your excitement and want to experience it.  Let them know when they arrive and leave that you enjoy this so much that their appointment with you is a wonderful pleasure that you look forward to each time they are with you.  Emphasize this!  The relaxing envirement that you create for them will reflect your own personal care for them. That is something that is not offered in a commercial business.  At first I thought my clients would feel uncomfortable coming into my home (by the way, I have followed all the regulations and the state inspector has given me high ratings for safety and cleanliness plus I have all liscenses, local and state).  My clients say they are so much more relaxed because this is a home.  You can control everything for better service in your home with products, treatments, decor, & music. Even hours are fun, as I have some clients that love to come in the evening with PJs on ready to fall in bed at home after their treatment with me.  Most of my clients live in my neighborhood!  Give gift cert. away at business networking groups to start your clientel, do gift cert. trades with massage therapists to get people to start talking about your special treatments and at the same time you would be helping their practice grow.  I use fresh herbs (you would need a very reliable book on herbs for the skin, their essential oils are lovely for improving the skin naturally).  I incorportate them with aloe vera gel and inonization.  Let your clients choose from an assortment of essential oils for your lucas spray at the end of treatments.... there is much more to customize for each client.  I will look forward to sharing more, including using fresh organic rose petals in my custom masks and etc.  This is an exciting time for business in your home and the possibilites are endless! 

I totally agree Sayra. I have been in business for 15 years with the last 5 being in my home. I am beyond busy,  I treat my clients like gold and they leave rebooked, happy and relaxed. I have many clients who drive an hour or 2 just to come to me. You definitely have to be the right type of person and have the right set up and atmosphere in your home to have people coming in and out all day. I do work longer hours taking clients  ( 10-11 hours a day, 5 days a week)  and I would never go back to owning a downtown salon.

Hello to all! I just wanted to say that I am still a student, graduation just around the corner!!! I have been approved by the city zoning for my Esthetics Room.  I have a building about 6 feet from my house in my side yard. Drive goes right to it. Now I do have to put in a Bathroom, sink and toilet, and have one final inspection on that. But I am so excited!!! We have some work to do to get it set up and ready. I am planning on going small, but enough to have reg clients thru out the week. As I gain more experience and confidence I hope to expand in a bigger place. But for now it will be fine.  Even though I am a student at my school, I am learning so much on this site from experienced Estheticians. Thanks to you all! My dream is coming true!!!! I love Esthetics!!!

It's one week until the Grand Opening of my home practice and I was wondering if anyone had any ideas on little things to pamper my clients? I really want to make sure they feel special so they can't wait to come back. 

Adrianne, please see all blogs as I have just posted some ideas for you!  I am so excited you have chosen to do this!

Congratulations Diane! Sounds like the perfect set-up to me! I wish you much success in this wonderful field!

I'm getting ready for my first client today and I'm really excited. The only problem is I still can't put my sign in my front yard. I have been to city hall three times now to get a permit and I'm being told something different everytime. Yesterday I was told it's fine to have your business in your home it's just not okay to have a sign. The house I bought is zoned neighborhood/business and everything around me is a business or church. I have spoken to the same gentleman who handles the sign permits two out of the three times and he seems cluless when I come in. I've been told I have to wait until Monday and go to some other commitee and hoplefully pay $300 instead of $120 if they will approve it. I'm so frustrated with trying to do everything the right way and I'm wondering if I should just put the sign up anyway. Has anyone else run into these issues?

Adrianne, I have a white sign hanging on the entrance gate leading to my front door that says "Sayra's" in black letters.  It is not too large and hangs by a chain matching the fence, visual from the street.  I asked city officials if just my name would be ok for identifying my home to my "guests" and they approved it verbally.  There is a size ordinance for signs but my sign has worked for me for all these years and I have never had to fill out a form or had any complaints.  I do have my formal permitt for a business in my neighborhood.  Professional signs are nice looking but remember word of mouth is the best way to advertise. What is the name of your business?  Consider using your first name in the title to make it more personal to your clients.  They will feel like they have you as their "personal" skin care professional.  You have a lovely name and I would advise you use it!

Sayra, the name of my business is Caliope Skin Center. I'm still getting most of my business from ads in the News Paper otherwise I would just switch everything to my name. The sign I have is a temporary sign a little bigger than a relators sign and when I took the drawing in yesterday I was told that the sign was good and that there is nothing wrong with it. The guy couldn't tell me exactly what is wrong except he thinks I need to  fill out paper work to change the usage of the property. He kept asking me what the property was used for in the past. I don't understand why they are doing this when my property is zoned neighborhood/business. How would you advise I switch to just my name at this point?

I would add your personal name first to the title of your business. Give it ownership with that beautiful name Adrianne's.....  When the "word" spreads about your wonderful business people will be really talking about YOU!  I love your name and others will too! Easy to remember with the letter "A", and with phone listings for skin care it will be one of the first listed.  The city wants to know what businesses are around town for your protection, fire dept., police patroling, etc. I pay an additional property tax to my city. They wanted to know my hours and parking accomendations.

'Adrianne Couve' is a very chic and professional sounding name!! Sounds like a lady who would know how to give a damn good facial!!

My clients loved coming to my new home practice and they were shocked at how beautiful and professional everything was.They all said they liked it more than the salon I was at. I am seriously thinking about changing the name but I don't think that would solve the sign issue unless I put it on a mail box.

Vanessa, keep looking it took me a little over a year to find a location and even though my home is zoned properly, I'm still fighting for some of my permits. It can be very frustrating but it is well worth it.

Hello Ladies

Congrats to Adrianne! ;0)  I am offering my services via mobile.  I go to the clients house or workplace if it allows.  My question is how are you ladies networking and marketing yourselves?  I have a website now thanks to ASCP.  I was with a networking group too but that didn't work out.  How are you ladies getting your name out there?  I would love to hear any feedback. 

Thank you,

Eva

I thought about going mobile, of course, by referral only or if I know that person.  But I'm afraid of dogs.

Our services should be something our clients want to talk about with friends and family.  I sell many gift cert. to clients because they want the people they care about to also experience a fantastic treatment with me.  We know there are so many emotionally hurting people out there who need our encouragement not only for their skin but also for their souls.  My gift cert. are very lovely and I have spent alot of time putting them together, they are something someone would love to present to a friend or family member. I personalize the envelope with the person's name written in gold and tie it off with a beautiful ribbon.  We need to offer something that no one else is offering and when you have your own business you can do this with creativeness.  Some ideas: I offer a shot glass of raspberry liquior, herbal treatments, allow clients to choose their own aromatherapy blends, warm towel for the back at the end of the treatment, in other words treat clients like royality! Sometimes I send them home with a small bouquet of fresh herbs.  Try doing some client trades with massage therapists using your gift cert. you give to them and ask them to do the same for you.  That way it brings new people in to see you and only costs you your time.  I have participated in home and garden tours at my home business and passed out my cards to the visitors.  When I first started my business and had nothing to do I offered free facial services at shelters for women and teens.  It was very rewarding and people started talking! There is much joy to experience when we give to others!

Sayra you always add such thoughtful and wonderful information.  Thank you.  Your warmth comes across even through the web, I am sure your clients do love you!  Wish I was closer I would come too.

Thank you, Kathy!  However there are times when I need to escape myself.  We need to protect ourselves from burnout when we are constantly giving to others so I make sure I set appointments carefully so I can offer my best rested self to each client.  How about you?

I feel so blessed that I love my work and my clients that I really don't get burnt out.  Part of that comes from setting boundaries around my work time as well.  I am a single mother from when my kids were small, so I need to be with them in the evening and weekends.  I don't work late any more either trying to be done by 6 and half day on Friday.  It sounds like you are also a lot busier than I am.  I am out in the country, another location might bring in more clients, but the ability to be here as long as my children are home out weighs the loss in income.  One down and one to go.  Vermont is really strict about a lot of things and I have to work in a licensed shop and can not work outside of a registered licensed shop.  Going mobile sounds intriguing. 

Eva,

Would you mind telling us a little more about your mobile services? How do you transport your products? Do you do an intake form ahead of time so you have an idea of what products they may need? I'm really interested to hear how you make it work! Do you charge more for your services or less as a result of offering the services mobile?

Hello Kirsten

If I can I will have them fill out the intake form before.  If not I just bring most of my products along with me.  I found some great bags to carry my stuff in by My Thirty-one.  I charge about the average for my area. You have to consider the cost of driving to the client.  I would say its probably a little more then less.   Although some of my services are less depends on the area you are in.  For now this works great for me cause I have a 9 & 11 yr old.  I can schedule on my time.

I need to know who called me last night regards to selling and what I have as far as esthetic equipment last night from Reston , VA.?  I called back and it stated wrong number.................

Or e-mail me at bbh2939@aol.com  THX

Just wanted to say hi.  I'm getting ready to graduate October 20th, and my 5 year plan is to start my own home spa.  

@ Richelle, Congrats to you. Having a home business is not only personally rewarding but can be very lucrative. Good luck to you. My website is www.waxbitch.com .

@Sayra... I finally had to set hours with my home business because clients can't always understand that  just because you work from home doesn't mean you can take them when they want. I work back to back from 9am to 730 pm. I have people who want 8 to 9pm and I just can't do that anymore nor want to.I set boundaries so I don't get burned out and can have a few hours to spend time with my husband and fell like i have a personal life in and outside my home. I still cave and take a few on my Tuesday day off (when its convenient to me) but  won't on Sunday anymore.

So good to know you also protect yourself and have boundries!  We are "givers" and need to watch for burnout.  I too was taking clients as late as 8:00 PM but no more! I set appointments no later than 4:00 PM so that I can enjoy dinner.  Clients do seem to think it's convienent for them to come here any time because I am in my home. They enter through my living room and my husband goes to his cave/office before they arrive and stays there until they leave.  He is so understanding because he knows how much I love doing this! It is wonderful to set your own hours and days!  We have such freedom! I too cave in and take some on weekends.  Loved hearing from you, Richelle!

I am so ready to start my homebased business.  I can't wait.  But everything, and I do mean everything is so expensive.

I started my business on a shoe string. Not a large investment is needed for expensive equipment, in fact my crock pot is still used for hot towels (which my instructor from school suggested).  You can start with a simple mag. light with combo steamer, a manual bed with seperate heating pad and a lucas. There are many companies who do not require a min. order for you to get started with products.  I make my own masks, sell Dr. Thayers Witch Hazel Toner and my own serums and cleansers along with HydroPeptide products, a local company here in Washington. Clients like the idea of supporting a local company. I order various other supplies from the school I graduated from.  My sink is a bowl type which sits on an old sewing machine cabinet purchased at a thrift shop. I wanted my furnishings to look less steril than the usual "equipment". You can do trades for any work done by plumbers, electricains, etc.  If you are referring to a location being expensive here is another suggestion: a home I so admired was not on the market so I left a note on the door asking the owner to call me if they would like to sell.  I live and operate my business in this home today!  The owners called me the day after I left the note and said they were about to put their home on the market!  They waited 6 months for my own home to sell so that I could purchase theirs!  Opportunities are all around us just go knocking and the right doors for you will open! And Vanessa, I am 68 years old and applied for my license in 2004.  My fellow students, before we graduated called me " the hot grandma"! I still laugh about that! So you go "girl"!

Thanks, Sayra.  I am a certified legal assistant and decided at the age of 57 I decided to go back to school and it my Esty license.  I am so glad I did.  And thank you for sharing your story beccause sometimes I think I'm too old for this.  I believe God has connected us for a reason.

I need to start small.  I guess I have so much I want to do that it can seem overwhelming to me.

I am looking for a house so I can do my home spa in it.

I cant' tell you how much you have help it.

Hello all! 

Could someone tell me what you need (government wise) to start a home based skin care business? I live in CO and am planning to meet with a fellow Esty this week hopefully to get more info. I'd like to do things in order, but of course I don't have a ton of money to pour into my business until I open and start making some! That said, do I need a special license (other than my Esty license), certain tax documents, etc? What did you all do when you got started? Thanks a million!!!

Hi Crystal,

Yes, you need a business license from the state and from the town were you live.  This papers probably can cost you 200 or 300$. Then you need to pay the Board for the business that you want to have (skincare shop) (an other up to 150 $)

Crystal,  All I did was walk into my city hall and pay $25 for my home business.  They wanted name and type of business a map drawn of the floor space, business hours, and etc.  It was very simple!  Study your state's laws and regulations for spas in the guide book your own state puts out. I renew my city and state liscense every year and post them for clients to see (one of my state's regulations) in my treatment room..  The inspector working for the state comes by every year to inspect for safety.  One of the rules here is that clients must be able to escape to the outside in a direct path if there is any emergency.  I hope you keep your dream alive and persue a home based business! It is very rewarding! 

@ Brenda Berndt...I received your discussion notice in my email re: rural home based businesses but I am unable to locate the actual discussion on this site??  This is not the first time this has happened regarding discussions on this site. Anyone else had this problem?