Are you looking to open a nail salon in South Africa? You’ve come to the right place! We have all the intel you need on how to open a nail salon in South Africa.
Considering all that’s required for a nail salon, you might feel like it might be too much to even attempt. But, with intentional planning and setting realistic goals, opening a nail salon is an achievable business venture.
How Much Does it Cost to Start a Nail Salon in South Africa?
According to a comparison of various nail salons conducted by News24, a franchise nail salon can cost anything from R 600 000 to R 2 million. However, you do not have to start your business through a franchise that costs millions.
Before we dive into the cost of starting your nail salon, you’ll need to consider all that you need for your nail salon, then you can determine what the rough cost will be.
What Do I Need to Start a Nail Salon?
Before you start your nail salon business, here are some of the essentials needed:
Location: Where will you rent out space for your business?
Water and Electricity Consumption: Do your research regarding the average amount of water and electricity you consume on a monthly basis.
Equipment and Furniture: Consider the equipment needed such as manicure tables, lights, pedicure chairs, receptionist furniture, nail drills, clippers, and everything else you’ll need.
Staff Members: Find out what it costs to hire a nail technician, receptionist, and cleaner. You might also need to include the costs of training new employees. Consider other costs such as automation software for your business accounting.
Decor: It’s easy to overlook the cost of decorating your space. Businesses that are aesthetically pleasing may attract more customers. So, consider that cost in your planning.
Branding: Branding allows people to identify your business. There are various steps that go into branding your store. This includes signage, banners, your logo, branding inside the salon, etc.
Marketing: Consider the cost required to run ads or to create content to promote your nail salon.
Business License: Fortunately, you don’t need a business license to start a hair salon. However, to increase your legitimacy, you might want to consider joining associations like the South African Association of Health and Skincare Professionals (SAAHSP).
How to Open a Nail Salon?
Once you are aware of all the things needed to set up your nail salon, you can get started on the process. Here, we’ve provided you with a step-by-step guide on how to open a salon:
- Create a business plan for your nail salon.
- Choose and register the name of your business.
- Set up banking and accounts.
- Research and decide on a location.
- Set up your salon in your location with branding, decor, and all the necessary furniture.
- Join a regulatory body, like the South African Association of Health and Skincare Professionals (SAAHSP).
- Recruit staff members and train them.
- Spread the word. Find the right ways to market your business effectively.
How to Open a Nail Salon on a Budget?
You can open a nail salon with a very limited budget. Here are three ideas to help you do just that:
1. Do It In Your Home:
If you do not have the budget to rent out space for your salon, you can set up shop in the comfort of your own home.
Whether you choose to do it in your garage, one of the rooms in your house, or you have a Wendy house you can’t wait to transform, you’ll be saving thousands of rands in comparison to the amount of money you’d be spending on rent.
2. Have a Mobile Nail Salon:
People love being in the comfort of their own home, so, if you have a mobile nail salon where you come to them, it can greatly work to your advantage.
With a mobile salon, you do not have to worry about paying rent. All you need is your mobile furniture, nail equipment, and your skill set to get the job done.
3. Take a Nail Technician Course:
If you are just starting out, you might not have the funds to hire someone to be your nail technician. You can take a free online nail technician course to start learning how to professionally do nails. This way, you can be the talent and run your own business simultaneously.
Now that you have the above-mentioned tips, you can start working towards opening your own nail salon. It doesn’t end there, there are plenty of resources available at your disposal to help ensure your business has the best chance at succeeding. See our article on how to scale your business in 2025.
