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Comment by Tiffany Jent on March 17, 2011 at 3:39pm

Go to the SBA sponsored S.C.O.R.E website.  On this site you will find templates for a business plan, financial planning, and anything that has to do with business.  There are also webinars that you can take for a small amount.  Writing and reviewing a business plan can really help you organize your thoughts.  My first impression is to think about medical esthetics or a health and wellness angle.  If you are really cautious... booth rental to start then expand to your own space.  small towns are very tricky.  It is either who you know OR how unique you are.  I opened a manual hair removal business with $2000 and credit cards.  I do waxing (film, hard, and strip wax) threading, and sugaring.  No one else has a specialty shop like this here..... YET!!  Does anyone do mobile services?  In my state, as long as 60% of your business is in a shop you can go mobile.  Open a mobile spray tan and waxing business... Do subdivision "Girls Night Out Party"  Do waxing, mini facials, and foot massage or whatever... A person hosts it in their home.  I require 10 or more confirmed people and they have to pay in CASH.  Get creative.  It is not so much your years of experience but charisma and a real fire in your soul!!!!  Think outside the box.... You never know... You may be our next big thing!!!!  Best of luck to you!!  Head down and plow through girl!!!!

Comment by Tania Woistman on March 15, 2011 at 3:49pm

Thanks Kim, I really appreciate everything you have to say!!  It means so much for all the input you have given me a lot to think about.

Comment by Kim Laudati on March 15, 2011 at 8:49am

Hi Tania,

My question to you to ponder is - How good are you at managing your finances? If your good at it, and have the drive and want to have to spend most if not all of your free time creating, maintaining and driving your business with good business sense, then your ready. You need to be able to make a plan that lays out how much money you have to spend, what you'll have in reserve, how many months can you live without tapping into any of the business money or reserve money, etc. You need to figure out how much you have to spend on equipment, supplies, rent, insurance, etc. You need to decide what type of skin care business you want, and all of your ideas of how to promote that. A small community is great in the sense that you won't have to worry about trying to have the money for a huge media blitz or hiring a PR agent. There are a lot of things you can do "on foot" and also barter for. (Radio spots, local TV, printing, etc) Do you need to approach a Dermatologist or a salon or some such to present them with an integrative practice offer with? (That depends on what direction your own skin care is taking of course.) Also please don't sell yourself short! I've only been in the business for 3 years myself and I can tell you that I've successfully worked on/work on celebrities and influential clients and I also now own my own practice in NYC and my home town of Floral Park, NY. Will I still be surviving 5 years from now? I definitely think so because I approach my work with passion and true care, but I approach all aspects of running my business with a brutal clarity and immense drive. I created my business model on what I want as a client, what the economy is demanding from us as service providers, and where my passion/specialty niche lies. Then I took my financial situation in hand, wrote it all down on paper, started networking, struck gold by being blessed to be introduced to an amazing business woman with a fab location that did not have skin care and here I am. Every day is filled with marketing and publicity work, online and off. Every day I monitor my finances too. I feel blessed and couldn't be happier with the speed that my business is taking off, and I believe that if you believe in yourself, you will too! Almost everyone is going to tell you your not going to make it, especially in this economy. Instead of being dragged down by their negativity, take a long hard look at your life/finances/goals/dreams and your town. What is it that they really NEED, not just want? What is it about your brand of skin care treatment that fits into that need? People will find a way to save money to spend on what they NEED. Once you figure out what that is, you'll be great!!!!!

Bonne chance!

Kim