MOBILE THERAPY
Making it mobile
Setting up as a mobile beauty therapist can be a daunting process, from sorting out the correct insurance to building a client base. Ellen Cummings asks three successful mobile beauty therapists for their top tips
Once the idea to set up a mobile beauty business strikes you, it might be tempting to dive straight in. However, there is a lot that needs to be considered first. “The main thing is to first have a business plan, where short-term goals will intertwine with the long-term goals,” says Bella Kowalska, owner of the Nail Bus, based in Lancashire. “It’s very easy to lose track of where you envisioned your business going as you get inundated in the daily grind of running it.”
Hayley Snishko, owner of Surrey-based Home Sanctuary and finalist in the Mobile/Home-based Beauty Business category at the 2023 Professional Beauty Awards, highlights that there is a bit of admin involved before you can start treating clients.
She explains,“You’ll need to decide whether to be self-employed or set up as a limited company. There are pros and cons to both options so be sure to seek proper advice from an accountant or business financial adviser before registering with HMRC. Some local authorities may require that you register your business with them. Check to see if you need to register your business before starting out.”
Which treatments to offer
The core part of your mobile beauty business is the services you offer to clients. But how do you decide what these should be? Snishko says, “This will depend on your qualifications, the potential client demand and what investment you have available. Have a look at the other mobile therapists in your target area and review which treatments are currently being offered. You can then decide to either compete with them or offer alternative treatments to attract different clients. You can always add new treatments as you develop your business, so don’t worry about trying to offer everything straight away.”