Home-Based Estheticians

Yes! Heres to all of us who have braved the world of commercial spas and were not afraid to step out of the box by opening a home based business! The rewards are wonderful! 

If you are relocating out in the country I would make the drive worthwhile for your present clients.  They will come if they feel that drive is worth it! Add something extra to your services, perhaps a quiet area to stay and relax before or after the treatments, hot tub, lite snack, teas, etc. A country drive in itself is relaxing and will give your clients something to share with their friends but I would make sure your new place is more inviting and easy to locate.  Are there any other country businesses in the new area?  You could hook up with them and let your clients know fresh organic eggs, vegie and fruit stands, soaps, etc. are available on their drive to see you!

Prices in a home based business should be the same as any spa.  I made the mistake of thinking they should be lower and it took me quite a while to catch up by raising my prices slowly, which made my regular clients frown!  We use our own water and power, trash, pay property taxes, etc. as any spa so why should we offer cheaper prices?  Wish someone would have told me that when I first started!  I do think you should offer discounts to those who will be returning regularly.  People who have gone through so much stress in your area will need kind, loving care and soothing treatments to help them regain their mental health.  I would use that as a message to those in need. I often allow clients to make payments on products and treatments, to those I trust and have known for years. I always gain so much from offering that kind of trust!

Thank you so much Sayra for your suggestion regarding the pricing I happen to agree with you.  Many think that if your working from home prices should be lower than a spa, however, you do get better treatment, more time and a very relaxing atmosphere.   Discounts for regulars are a definite. 

wow thank you so much for that advice, Sayra!

I wanted to ask you, do you do services at *their* homes? would you do both? This question could be answered by the other estys, I just want to know what you all do in regards to mobile services as well...

No, I do not go to homes, as for me this would be too much to pack up so by the time I arrived I would be too tired to unpack and give my best.  My clients are all local so the most they spend driving here is about 20 min.  My place has much old fashioned charm from the street view and white picket fence.  I did not think clients would enjoy coming here but they feel more special even getting inside.  My floors are old pine, windows, doors and home from the era of the 20's so I have used decor to match including old hats on the wall etc.  Guests feel like they are stepping back in time escaping from the hurry scurey of today's world.  

so awesome! I can't wait to start my own homebased biz. you really inspire me!

It is not necessary to spend large amounts of money to do this.  Just make sure you offer something that the spas in your area are not offering.  Give facials and treatments away as gifts at community events to get people to come to you.  I started out giving of myself (free) to the local teen shelters helping the kids with their skin.  The managers set paying appointments with me.  Just use your imagination, and set out to sell your services.  They will come, as that is what someone told me!  You can do it!

thanks Sayra! I asked my midwife if she knew of good women shelters, and I got a few leads. I am ready to gift them something special for the holidays!! :)

For those of you with a homebased spa, have you offered groupons (or living social and the like)? if so, how do they react when they find out it's a home they are visiting?

It is my understanding that Groupon, Living Social, etc., will not allow home based businesses to run ads. They only permit businesses at a business location.

Does anyone have experience using ingred. formulas for their own skin care products?  I am looking for ratios for hyaluronic acid in my own products.  Have not tried it yet in my serum but want to give it a try.  I would be happy to share recipes for masks that truly are all natural with great results!

Hello everyone so glad I found this site.. I am very new to this home based business and would appreciate any input I have lots of items to get started was really interested in who to call to inspect and when.. I live in Florida.

Hi Sayra your idea to put your name only, seems practical for customers to locate the house. However, there are two places that oversee commercial work in our house. One its the City hall with state regulations and fees and the second the State Board (at least here in NJ) which requires, bathroom, sink inside the treatment room, one obligatory footage per square feet for two facial beds, emergency exit and handicapped ramp ... all it actually creates a series of problems if you are not the owner of the house. The idea Lugenia's Skincare Studio .. to begin the discussion on how to create a Home Based Skincare Association (April 23) we were only 3 or 4 estys debating the subject and today we have 280 or more skincare exchanging ideas and solutions because it is a topic that concerns us all as a means for conciliate our work without getting rid of the family. We must unite seriously this idea deeper and deeper our discussions and research in every state of this country a easy way to open a room treatment business at home. As an association our idea will materialize.

Hi Sueli, thanks so much for taking the time to share your point of view. You understand my reasoning for wanting to start an association for Home-Based Estheticians…YES! I realize that each state has its own set of rules and regulations, but I believe and agree that an association would help us all in this business. Now we just need to decide how to begin…

Hi everyone...just getting started with my at home business....just graduated back in December and finished taking the boards....I am trying to find info on what is most comfortable for clients...or what they would actually prefer when coming to my home spa....a Facial Chair or bed....opinions please? I practiced on horrible cheap beds that were terrible...ha

Condragulations Christina on completion of your program. I prefer my hydraulic table, that way I can do facials & full body waxing. It has also saved my back too. When I started out, I had a portable massage table, then upgraded to the table I have now. It was the greatest investment I could have made.  

Thank you Willie for your reply....now you have a hydraulic table or a chair that goes into a bed? I am so confused!!! I figured you can make a bed so much comfortable with added padded and such...whereas...the chair....hmmm..

Hi Christina congratulations on completing school. I think Willie is referring to a bed, not the chair. I also use a table instead of the chairs that were used in school. Now my table (bed) isn’t as fancy as his is, but I hope to purchase one in the future. I also have additional cushion/padding and my clients tell me that it’s very comfortable.

Hello Group - any one in the North New Jersey or Pocono area?

I am starting a mobile Spa RV and need some help. Interested?

We use LED,Cavtation and Thai Hot Stem treatments.will teach the right person. see what it is about http://thebeautygroup.org

Hello ladies...it has been a long haul over here...so much going on...getting very discouraged about my start up...things happened and i had to put my business on the back burner...getting nervous about losing touch with what is going on in the Esthetician business....I am so torn and helping you can help and give guidance...I am stressing about finding the RIGHT microdermabrasion machine...I have come acrossed DermaSweep...has anyone heard of this/own this machine?  

For a home business you need to check with your board to see the legal home setup for your space, and with your town and state for the business license (separately from the board one). This will set your legal activity as business (taxes,...). The board sets the rules for how your business is supposed to be regarding sanitation, space requirements, products...)

Hello all you home based Girls - I have my clinic also attached to the House where I live. But please heed the advice of making your business legal otherwise you just rely on word of mouth and you cannot advertise not good :) - I also have a website with great equipment for the home based spa - check it out - several used things are available let me know what you need and I will see that I get it for a great price - how is that?

We need to stick together right? Also the state Boards are getting geared to curtail many of the equipment usage - we need to fight that - so tell me if you are interested in a little activist activity.

The Chinese & American cosmetic association is free at this point and they make it their agenda to fight the cosmetic boards to stop curtailing our business. So email me if you are interested and let me know your thoughts. Gisela http://thebeautygroup.org

Hi Everyone! I'm Heidi, and I just joined your group, I'm here in Colorado, trying to get together a home-based esthetic room (legally) and I'm having a rough time. I have a few questions… Do you all have a sink in the room? Is this a req.'d thing for you? And, has anyone tried using a portable sink? And what about MSDS sheets? Do you all have them handy? (more questions coming….)

Does everyone have insurance? Are you all sole proprietors or LLC's? What about products? I am investigating Botanical Science (thanks for all the info!), and Image, and Dermalogica (which seems pretty costly, and I don't think they'll go for the home-based thing), but do you all have any others that you love??

Has anyone ever been visited by the state board, and checked out?

(any state) I'm sure we can learn from each other! Thank you!!

Hi Izzi.....I am on the Southside of Chicago.   New esty (licensed for almost 4 months) and working from home right now.

Hi Izzi and Ann.  I'm in Chicago Northside.

Hi Jolene!

Hi Ladies, I'm just out of Chicago, Brookfield.

Which products are you using? Are you going to the Body show this weekend at McCormick?

I have been using skin script Love it. And love that they have the online interactive learning.  I know me too!

I too am using Skin Scripts!!  I am still trying to build up my back bar inventory.....problem is that I want it all and I want it now!  :-)   

I have been taking part in most of their webinars....great education....great customer service.  Very happy with my decision to go with them. 

They will be at the show this weekend!

For all you home based girls any one looking for some slightly used equipment? Several things available from LED to ultrasonic spatular, skin scope and several other pieces let me know what you need I might have it. Doing some serious house cleaning :)

Hi Pamela...... welcome.   I was looking at Image too, but, had a couple of concerns.  1.)   they are all over Amazon (like many other products).  I know this is something they are trying to control, but, regardless, my clients can find the products they need online.   2,)  I do a lot of basic facials and they don't offer an exfoliant.  I know their cleansers have exfoliating properties, but, I feel like I am "missing" something in the facial process....using them, I cleanse, mask, moisturize.   I just feel that I want that extra exfoliation step, and unless you are doing a peel, they don't have anything.    

Let me know what you think after you meet with your rep.  

I have a Scrubber hand held (new ,have big one ) - $75 - Heated Booties $20 - Hand Held LED with pin point Laser and mushroom Head $450 - Lymph drainage for legs cuffs - $75 - Skin Scope new $125(to be used with Laptop and has video)

I am in Milford,Pa will ship.

Karen....so, do you use the Total Resurfacing Masque as your exfoliant and then follow with another masque to complete your facial?   Or, is this a 2 in 1 exfoliant/mask combined?

Hello!  Is there a FB page for this group???

Hello Group, I am new to your forum. I am looking to connect with skincare professionals to gain information about this business. Additionally, I may be able to provide product information with regard to natural skin care products. Thanks!