Want to open a nail salon in South Africa? You've come to the right place! There is all the Intel you need to know how to open a nail salon in South Africa.
Considering everything you need in a nail salon, you may find it too much even to try. However, opening a nail salon with intentional planning and realistic goals is an achievable business venture.
How much does it cost to start a nail salon in South Africa?
A comparison of various nail salons conducted by News24 shows that franchise nail salons cost R600 000 to R2 million. However, you don't have to start your business through a franchise that costs millions of dollars.
Before jumping into the cost of launching a nail salon, you need to consider everything you need in a nail salon. You can then determine what the rough cost will be.
What do you need to start a nail salon?
Here are some of the necessary elements before starting your nail salon business.
Location: Where do you rent space for your business?
Water and electricity consumption: We conduct research on the average amount of water and electricity consumed each month.
Equipment and Furniture: Think about the equipment you need, such as nail polish tables, lights, pedicure chairs, receptionist furniture, nail drills, clippers, and more.
Staff: Find out if it costs you to hire a nail technician, receptionist, or cleaner. You may also need to include the cost of training new employees. Consider other costs, such as automation software for business accounting.
Decoration: It's easy to overlook the cost of decorating your space. Aesthetically pleasing businesses may attract more customers. Therefore, consider the cost of your plan.
Branding: Branding allows people to identify your business. There are various steps to go to branding your store. This includes signs, banners, logos, and in-salon branding.
Marketing: Consider the costs required to run ads and create content to promote your nail salon.
Business License: Fortunately, you don't need a business license to start a hair salon. However, we recommend that you consider joining associations such as the South African Health Association (SAAHSP) to increase legitimacy.
How to open a nail salon?
Once you know everything you need to set up a nail salon, you can start the process. Here we have provided a step-by-step guide on how to open a salon.
Create a business plan for your nail salon. Select the name of your business and register. Set up your bank and account. Find the location and decide. Set up your salon in your place with brands, decorations and all the furniture you need. Join regulatory bodies such as the South African Health Association and Skin Care Professionals (SAAHSP). We will recruit and train staff. Spread the word. Find the right way to sell your business effectively.
How do I open a nail salon on my budget?
You can open nail salons with very limited budgets. Here are three ideas to help you do exactly that:
1. Do it at your home:
If you don't have the budget to rent space for a salon, you can set up a store in the comfort of your own home.
Whether you choose to do it in your garage, have one of your home rooms, or a Wendy home that you can't wait for you to transform, you'll save thousands of rands compared to the amount you spend on rent.
2. I have a mobile nail salon:
People love to be in the comfort of their home, so if you have a mobile nail salon that comes to them, it can work a lot for your profits.
With a mobile salon, you don't have to worry about paying rent. All you need is mobile furniture, nail equipment and a skill set to get the job done.
3. Take the Nail Technician course:
If you're just starting out, you may not have the funds to hire someone to become your nail technician. Take our free online nail technician course and start learning how to do your nails professionally. In this way, you can become talented and run your own business at the same time.
Now that you have the above tips, you can start working on opening your own nail salon. That's not the end. Many resources are available at your own freedom to help ensure the best chance of your business being successful. Check out our article on how to expand your business in 2025.
