Are you looking forward to starting a beauty salon business but still can’t get your head straight on what you need to open such a business? If so, this post will answer most of the questions you have about this venture by taking you through how to start and run a professional beauty salon business in Kenya. All you need to do is stick to the end as we dive in.
Let’s get started!
What is a beauty Salon?
A beauty salon is simply a shop where hairdressers and beauticians work. In such places, clients get their hair done, alongside other popular services such as makeup, manicure, pedicure, etc. Beauty salons could also be referred to as beauty parlours, depending on your preference.
What do you need to start a beauty salon business?
To start a beauty salon/parlour business in Kenya, you will need:
1. Register a legal business
All businesses in Kenya are required by law to be registered under the Registrar of Companies. You will need to register a sole proprietorship which will cost you Ksh.950 for a name search and approval.
Further, you will need to obtain a single business permit from the county government offices. The cost of the permit will depend on the size of your business and analysis from your area ward rep. A small salon will cost Ksh5,000 – Ksh15,000 per year to license.
Depending on the county you choose to establish your business, you may also be required to acquire a health permit and a music license (MCSK) if you will play music in your parlour.
2. Get a Business Plan
You may be wondering, “Do I need a business plan to start a beauty parlour in Kenya?”
Well, YES and NO.
How come?
You see, getting a business plan has been shown to improve the chances of success for your business. However, let’s face it! You probably won’t lock yourself in your bedroom for one month working on a business plan.
Business plans help a great deal especially if you are seeking to start an extra-large enterprise that will need funding from traditional banks or government agencies. If this is what you looking forward to, then a business plan is a must-have.
Here is how you will benefit from a business plan:
- Setting Clear Objectives – A business plan helps you define your goals and objectives for the laundromat. It allows you to outline what you want to achieve, whether it’s financial targets, customer satisfaction goals, market share objectives, or expansion plans.
- Understanding the Market – A comprehensive business plan involves market research, enabling you to gain insights into the local demand for laundry services, identify your target customer base, and assess the competition.
- Financial Planning – A business plan requires you to estimate the costs involved. This includes expenses for equipment, lease or purchase of premises, utility bills, staff wages, maintenance, marketing, and more.
- Marketing and Promotion Strategies
- Securing Funding or Partnerships
However, if your goal is to set up a small to moderate-scale beauty parlour, then there are many alternatives to business plans that will yield the same results.
One such example is mapping out a feasibility-viability-desirability map that will help you identify if people will want your product or service, and if would you make any money out of it.
3. Look for Capital
Starting a beauty salon will need a minimum capital investment of Ksh.100,000. The larger the capital, the larger your venture will be.
Note, however, that the amount of capital you invest in your startup is not directly proportional to the level of success you will achieve.
Success in any business has its own set of rules as discussed in this post.
– How profitable is a salon business?
According to Kuza-One, salons have a net profit of 16% per month. Going by this rule, a small salon will yield Ksh16,000 per month and even more as it grows and expands.
On a global scale as depicted by sharpsheets.io, the profit margin of a beauty salon is around 8.2%. However, depending on the management, the profit margin can vary between 2% and 17%.
4. Get a good Location
A good physical location for your salon is critical to the success of your venture. When deciding to choose a particular place over another, there are a few things that you’ll need to keep in mind:
- Choose a space that will suit your needs: For instance, ask yourself whether you will have employees or you’ll run the business alone. If your answer is the latter, then a smaller space may be ideal for you.
- Prime area = Prime Cost: This means that if you choose to rent out a stall in the middle of town, you will likely encounter high rental fees, electricity and water bills. Note, however, that you don’t need an expensive room to succeed. You can acquire a space anywhere else as long as it is accessible.
- Make sure your location equally accommodates people travelling from different distances to your parlour.
- Accessible Parking: Make sure that your clients have adequate parking space. This will act as a bonus in attracting new clientele.
- Work on Plumbing: Salons and beauty parlours depend on water and with this, you will need to install sinks and proper drainage systems. If you are low on your budget, you can choose to rent out a place that was previously a salon as it may still have its plumbing in place.
#5. Furniture and Décor
Whether you like it or not, a beauty salon must exude beauty as clients walk in and with this, you must work on your furniture and décor.
Successful beauty salons often choose a colour scheme for their parlours that may also prove beneficial in branding and marketing. As you work on this, just remember not to overspend here.
This should be the least of your worries as you set up your new salon.
Nevertheless, as you work on furniture and décor, focus on purchasing durable furniture and proper lighting for your space.
6. Purchase Inventory
Here is an exhaustive list of what you will need to purchase as you set up your salon business:
a) Hair Care Products
| Item | Quantity Needed | Average Price (KES) |
| Hairdryer | 2 | 3,000 – 8,000 |
| Flat Iron | 2 | 2,500 – 6,000 |
| Curling Iron | 2 | 2,500 – 6,000 |
| Hair Cutting Scissors | 4 | 1,500 – 4,000 |
| Hairbrushes and Combs | Assorted | 200 – 800 |
| Hair Rollers and Curlers | Assorted | 500 – 1,500 |
| Hair Clips and Pins | Assorted | 100 – 500 |
| Hair Color and Dye | Assorted | 500 – 1,500 |
| Hair Treatments | Assorted | 500 – 2,000 |
| Shampoos and Conditioners | Assorted | 500 – 2,000 |
| Hair Extensions and Weaves | Varies | Varies |
b) Nail Care:
| Item | Quantity Needed | Average Price (KES) |
| Nail Clippers | 4 | 200 – 500 |
| Nail Files and Buffers | Assorted | 50 – 200 |
| Cuticle Pushers and Nippers | 4 | 300 – 800 |
| Nail Polish and Lacquers | Assorted | 200 – 800 |
| Base Coats and Top Coats | Assorted | 200 – 500 |
| Nail Polish Removers | 2 | 100 – 300 |
| Nail Art Tools | Assorted | 100 – 500 |
| Nail Tips and Forms | Assorted | 200 – 800 |
| UV or LED Nail Lamps | 2 | 2,000 – 5,000 |
| Manicure and Pedicure Kits | Assorted | 1,000 – 3,000 |
| Hand and Foot Creams | Assorted | – 1,500 |
c) Skin Care:
| Item | Quantity Needed | Average Price (KES) |
| Facial Cleansers | Assorted | 500 – 2,000 |
| Moisturizers | Assorted | 500 – 2,000 |
| Facial Masks and Peels | Assorted | 500 – 2,000 |
| Toner and Astringents | Assorted | 300 – 1,500 |
| Serums and Oils | Assorted | 500 – 2,000 |
| Sunscreen and Sunblock | Assorted | 500 – 1,500 |
| Exfoliators and Scrubs | Assorted | 300 – 1,500 |
| Facial Steamers | 1 | 3,000 – 8,000 |
| Facial Massage Tools | Assorted | 100 – 500 |
| Waxing Products | Assorted | 200 – 1,000 |
| Depilatory Creams | Assorted | 200 – 800 |
| Tweezers | 2 | – 500 |
d) Makeup:
| Item | Quantity Needed | Average Price (KES) |
| Foundations | Assorted | 500 – 2,000 |
| Concealers | Assorted | 300 – 1,500 |
| Powders | Assorted | 300 – 1,500 |
| Blushes | Assorted | 300 – 1,500 |
| Eyeshadows | Assorted | 200 – 1,000 |
| Eyeliners | Assorted | 200 – 800 |
| Mascara | Assorted | 200 – 800 |
| Lipsticks and Lip Glosses | Assorted | 200 – 1,000 |
| Makeup Brushes and Sponges | Assorted | 100 – 500 |
| Makeup Removers | 2 | 100 – 300 |
| False Eyelashes and Adhesive | Assorted | 200 – 500 |
| Setting Sprays | 2 | 300 – 800 |
| Makeup Palettes | Assorted | – 3,000 |
e) Salon Furniture and Equipment:
| Item | Quantity Needed | Average Price (KES) |
| Styling Chairs | Assorted | 5,000 – 15,000 |
| Salon Stations or Workstations | Assorted | 10,000 – 30,000 |
| Shampoo Chairs and Sinks | Assorted | 5,000 – 15,000 |
| Mirrors | Assorted | 2,000 – 5,000 |
| Hairdressing Trolleys and Carts | Assorted | 2,000 – 5,000 |
| Nail Stations and Manicure Tables | Assorted | 5,000 – 15,000 |
| Pedicure Chairs and Foot Baths | Assorted | 10,000 – 30,000 |
| Waxing Beds or Tables | Assorted | 3,000 – 8,000 |
| Facial Steamers and Machines | 1 | 5,000 – 15,000 |
| Massage Tables or Chairs | Assorted | 5,000 – 15,000 |
| UV or LED Lamps for Nails | 2 | 2,000 – 5,000 |
| Sterilization Equipment | Assorted | 5,000 – 20,000 |
f) Salon Supplies and Accessories:
| Item | Quantity Needed | Average Price (KES) |
| Towels and Washcloths | Assorted | 100 – 500 |
| Disposable Gloves and Aprons | Assorted | 100 – 500 |
| Disposable Spa Slippers | Assorted | 50 – 200 |
| Hairdressing Capes and Aprons | Assorted | 200 – 800 |
| Hair Rollers and Perm Rods | Assorted | 200 – 800 |
| Cotton Pads and Swabs | Assorted | 50 – 200 |
| Sanitizers and Disinfectants | Assorted | 200 – 1,000 |
| Disposable Applicators | Assorted | 50 – 200 |
| Disposable Pedicure Liners | Assorted | 100 – 300 |
| Retail Products | Assorted | Varies |
Remember, these quantities and prices are approximate and may vary based on your specific needs and preferences. It’s always a good idea to research local suppliers and compare prices to find the best deals for your beauty salon in Kenya.
Conclusion
This article has delved into all you need for you to start and run a successful salon business in Kenya. By following the guidelines stipulated in this post, you will be on the right track as you set up your business.
