How to Open a Cosmetology School

Opening any type of school is challenging because of securing an operational permit. The school should conform to state laws before granted permit. Other considerations are writing a comprehensive business plan and drafting a school constitution.

Others are recruitment of qualified teachers, rent, securing a business name. More are opening a business account, tax, furniture and infrastructure.

The owner needs to apply for insurance, purchase training tools, equipment and create awareness. It is capital and labor intensive. Here are some steps to establishing a cosmetology school.

Things to Consider before Starting a Cosmetology School

•         Securing an operational permit

•         Writing a comprehensive business plan

•         Drafting a school constitution

•         Draft a curriculum

•         Recruitment of qualified teachers

•         Rent or purchase property

•         Securing a business name

•         Incorporate

•         Opening a business account

•         Tax identification number

•         Insurance

•         Purchase furniture

•         Add infrastructure

•         Purchase training tools

•         Equipment

•         Create awareness

Cosmetology School Business name and incorporate

The school should be a legal entity so you need to incorporate. Make sure you check the availability of the school name. Incorporate the school as a limited liability company and get all forms of insurance.

The school needs state or federal certification and a license to operate. To acquire the license it should conform to school establishment laws and guidelines. Apply and obtain a tax identification number and draft an employee handbook.

•         Check the availability of the school name

•         Limited Liability Company

•         Get liability insurance

•         Apply for a license or permit

•         Obtain a tax identification number

•         Draft an employee handbook.

Open a Corporate Account

The schools account should be separate from your individual account. Open a corporate account with any reputable commercial bank in your country.

Write a Business Plan

It is important to write a cosmetology school business plan. The carry out a feasibility study and survey. The plan should cover every aspect of the business from funding, staff, infrastructure and curriculum.

Location

Make sure you find a good location and plan the layout. The school can occupy its own plots or rent a commercial premises. The location should be accessible and conducive for learning. Basic utilities are required such as electricity and water.

Tutorial Services

The school should offer a broad based program to meet regulatory accreditation standards. Courses include basic, intermediate and advanced cosmetology. The school can offer accredited certificate or diploma courses.

Different Sources of Income

The main source of income is from tutorial, admissions and course fees. Other sources are retail of books and materials. Others are seminars, foundation classes, sales of beauty products.

•         Tutorial

•         Admissions fees

•         Course fees

•         Retail of books and materials

•         Seminars

•         Foundation classes

•         Sales of beauty products

Pricing Strategy

The pricing strategy is based on prevailing prices in the industry. Study the competitions prices, business structure, courses. Make sure the prices are affordable and accommodate your target students. The choice of location, teacher’s wages, equipment, insurance, loans also affects the fees.

How to Start a Business Plan Service 
How to write truck stop business-plan
How to write a Tea Room Business Plan  
How to Write a Bakery Business Plan

Read More

How to Open a Nail Salon

This business offers nail care services and products. The salon operator should have the technical knowledge and certification.

The business is practicable low, medium or large scale. You can start from home or open a nail salon. Things you need are funding, good location, legal fees and employees.

Write a Business Plan

The first step is to write a nail salon business plan. Then carry out a feasibility study and survey. The plan should focus on best location, customer base, type of services, pricing. The investor can study the competitions business structure and services.

Related industry

There are many beauty related industries like barbing beauty consultant nail technician. Others are mobile beautician, pedicurists, stylists, massage therapist.

Nail Salon Ideas

Niche ideas in the nail industry are mobile nail salon, wedding and bridal services. You can operate an eco-friendly salon or location based business.

Challenges

The challenges are finding a good location and funding. Others are hiring experienced workers, pricing, staying competitive. More are legal, equipment, utilities.

Ways to Start a Nail Salon

There are three ways to start a nail salon. You can buy into a franchise, start from scratch or buy an existing business. A franchise arrangement is expensive however operators get adequate support.

Register the Business

You need to register the business as a limited liability company, partnership or sole proprietor. The LLC with insurance will protect against liability however a sole proprietor is liable to the extent of property.

You need tax identification number, business name and conform to safety/hygiene standards. Other considerations are zoning, sales tax, and operational permit.

•         Limited liability company

•         Partnership

•         Sole proprietor

•         Insurance

•         Tax identification number

•         Business name

•         Conform to safety/hygiene standards

•         Zoning

•         Sales tax

•         Operational permit

Certification

The nail salon operator needs certification or technical knowledge. There are many trade institution, schools of cosmetic and beauty to consider.

The beautician can attend seminars, trade workshops and gain practical knowledge. The education you need are nail technician certification.

How to Run a Successful Nail Salon

To run a successful nail salon you need a few things. You need adequate preparation, clean environment determination. The beautician should have knowledge and certification in nail application. It is important to relate well with customers and hire experienced staff.

Create Awareness

To attract customers the new business needs to create awareness. You can advertise in local newspaper, beauty magazines.

Other marketing strategy is digital signboard, a website, social media presence. Others are print of flyers, posters, banners, complementary cards, billboard. The studio should be in a heavily trafficked area and close to customer base.

•         Advertise in local newspaper

•         Beauty magazines

•         Digital signboard

•         A website

•         Social media presence

•         Use print

•         Good location

Increase Customer Retention

To increase customer retention offer special discounts and competitive prices. You need good customer relations, offer more services and make it a one stop location. Organize community events, regularly update customer data base and provide quality work.

•         Offer special discounts

•         Competitive prices

•         Good customer relations

•         Offer more services

•         One stop location

•         Organize community events

•         Regularly update customer data

•         Provide quality work

How to Beat Competition

Beat the competition be creative, offer free manicure and pedicure. Use online resources like social adverts, website or blogging. Create an effective marketing strategy, retaining old customers.

•         Be creative

•         Offer free manicure

•         Pedicure

•         Use online resources

•         Social adverts

•         Website or blogging

•         Create a marketing strategy

•         Retaining old customers

Pricing

The price depends on the demography, type of service and product. Other things that affect price is rent, utilities, overheads, labor and clientele. Manicure. Pedicure treatment starts from $10 - $100.

Marketing

To grow your customer base you need a good marketing strategy. Use newspaper publications, magazine ads. Network with industrial players, offer quality services and products.

Use flyers, posters, banners, signboards and billboards. Print business cards, leaflets, gift cards. Use referrals, word of mouth, a website and social media. You can organize community based activities, offer discounts and promotions.

•         Use newspaper publications

•         Magazine ads

•         Networking

•         Offer quality services and products

•         Use flyers

•         Posters

•         Banners

•         Signboards

•         Billboards

•         Print business cards

•         Leaflets

•         Gift cards

•         Use referrals

•         Word of mouth

•         Build a website

•         Use social media

•         Organize community based activities

•         Offer discounts

•         Promotions

Location

Choose a commercially viable location in a busy area. Make sure the area has your target audience. Good locations are popular shopping malls, supermarkets, middle/upper class areas.

•         Near Colleges

•         Shopping malls

•         Supermarkets

•         Middle/upper class areas

Funding

The amount of investment depends on rent, location, equipment, staff and utilities. . Startup can cost from $1,500 to $150,000 depending on the size and scope.

The funds are provided by the owner of the business. Raise funds through target savings or borrow from friends and family. Others are angel investors, venture capitalists, partnership.

•         Target savings

•         Borrow from friends and family

•         Small loan

•         Angel investors

•         Venture capitalists

•         Partnership

Read More

How to Start a Makeup Artist Business in Nigeria

The makeup industry is a billion dollar industry. The business is very lucrative and competitive. There are thousands of cosmetic products, brand names and cosmetic companies.

Before starting the business you need training or mentorship. Study at an institute of cosmetology or become an apprentice. Increase your knowledge through books, symposium and training workshops. You also have to get acquainted with FDA regulations and join an association.

Starting a Makeup Business

Licensing

Get a business name and incorporate as a sole proprietor or LLC. Join a local association and get certified. There are also food and drug regulations guiding the enterprise.

Organize your Finances

To succeed you need to organize your finances. Make sure you create an account separate from your personal account. The business should be able to accept credit card payments, cash or direct transfers.

Keep track of your receipts, invoices, tax and inventory. You can start a small makeup business with N200, 000. This sum includes N120, 000 lease for one year and makeup paraphernalia.

Create a Price List

You need to decide on how much to charge your customers. Things that affect pricing are location, rent, utility bills and transportation.

Your charges could be based on per hour bases or full day work. Other charges must reflect outcalls and special requests. The prices should reflect your professional brand image and services.

Makeup Kit

Even if you have a makeup studio you still need a handy makeup kit. The kit is perfect for outcalls and home visits.

Things you need in the kit are 7 layers makeup set that has powder, lipstick, blushes and eye shadow. It should come in a shoulder bag with adjustable dividers. Other tools are disposable eyelash brushes, foundation, concealer and a brush set.

List of Items in Makeup Kit

There are some basic essentials to have in your mobile kit. Make sure the kit has tools such as sponges, tester, and glue. Include eyelashes, curler, tester wands and spatula.

The kit should have false lashes, skin care lotion, eyeliner and lipsticks. Others are setting powder, blush and lip gloss.

• Primer
• False Lashes
• Eyeliner
• Mascara
• Blush
• Setting Powder
• Liquid Foundations
• Full Brush Set and Brush Cleaner
• Lipstick
• Skin Care 
• Start a Cosmetic Business

Makeup Artist Portfolio

As a makeup artist you need to create a portfolio. The portfolio highlights your work in a visual way. It expresses your talent and credentials similar to a resume.

To develop a portfolio engage a dozen models and a professional fashion photographer. This is because it takes time to apply makeup and you want to round up the session in a single day.

This would invariable reduce cost of hiring models, studio time and photographer. It is mandatory you use professional models and photographers to get the best results.

Get Social

You need to have a social media presence. This is because many makeup artists get jobs through this channel.

Join Facebook and create a business page. Add your website URL and use Facebook advertisement to drive traffic to your website.

Build a Portfolio Website

A makeup artist without a website is like a sailor without a ship. Make sure you choose a good domain name and host provider.

Your website should have a premium template and easy navigation. Add your model pictures, description, blog posts and location.

Include your telephone number, email address and services. Drive traffic to your website through social media channels and online advertisement. Use classified websites, yellow pages and directory submissions.

How to Open a Cosmetology Business

Marketing

The makeup business is tough and challenging. You face serious competition from established brands and freelancers. You need to develop a marketing strategy and work within a budget.

Use flyers, posters, banners and billboards to create a buzz around your services. Use television advertisement and Adwords. To increase patronage offer regular clients discounts and promotional products.

Network

It is essential you network with industrial players. Focus on spas, beauty salons, fashion outlets and supermarkets.

Contact hair salons, event organizers and photographers for referrals. Use word of mouth and distribute your business cards. Contact wedding planners and build trust.

How to Become a Bridal Makeup Artist

How to Open a Skin Care Clinic

Read More

6 Types of Vocational Training Schools

There are many vocational training programs and course for self development. Such institutions focus on skill acquisition, work place experience and practical knowledge. They offer a wide range of courses based on the industry. Here are some vocational training schools and the courses they offer.

6 Types of Vocational Schools

Internship

Internship provides hands on experience for graduate students. The placement provides on the job experience and training. This program is usually a stepping stone to full employment. It helps the individual acquire a place in the industry of choice.

Adult Education

Adult education is the most common known vocational schools. They are basically continuity education for adults. Many of the participants are employed but need better education for promotion or career development.

The education could focus on obtain high education and degrees for participants. Participants in such programs are usually sponsored by their employers or government.

Aesthetic Schools

Aesthetic schools offer students creative vocations and skill.  They have programs in hair styling, cosmetology, interior decoration and designing. The course length depends on the institution and curriculum.

Trade School

The trade schools focus on skill acquisition and trade education. The student learns a trade through practical lessons and class work.

Common skilled trades are carpentry, automobile mechanic, welding and plumbing. Others include electrical fittings, plumbing, construction and aluminum fabrication. The trade schools could offer sewing courses, tyre vulcanizing and generator repairing.

Craft School

Craft schools provide training in different arts and craft disciplines. The curriculum could include bead making, jewelry making, basket weaving. Other crafts are bag making, shoe making and tailoring.

Administrative Schools

Administrative programs are ideal for people looking for office employment. Such programs teach administrative skill to students.

The skills include clerical knowledge, secretarial studies, filing, basic accounting and administrative assistant. Other skills are legal assistant, typing and front desk skills.

List of Vocational Training Schools

• Trade School
• Adult Education
• Internship
• Administrative Schools
•  Craft School
• Aesthetic Schools
• Leather Furniture Refurbishing Business
• 15 Profitable Woodwork Businesses

Read More

How to Register your Business with Corporate Affairs Commission Nigeria

The Corporate Affairs Commission is the regulatory body authorized to incorporate businesses in Nigeria. Directors of a company are at liberty to register a limited liability company.

They don’t need the services of a chattered accountant, chattered secretary or legal practitioner. You can register online with the CAC and even request status report on registered company.

Corporate Affairs Commission Nigeria Websites

To register online you need to visit their website. The commission has provided alternate websites for registration and information. The websites are www.cac.gov.ng, www.cacnigeria.net, www.cacnigeria.com and www.cacnigeria.org

Corporate Affairs Commission Services

There are many services offered by the CAC. The procedure includes registration of private or public company.

They offer limited by guarantee, business name. Others include incorporated trustee, conversion and re-registration of private company as public. More are re-registration of unlimited company as a limited by shares and change of name.

They register mortgages, debentures and charges including increase in share capital. You get added services such as CTC of certificate, company search, certified true copies and other statutory services.

Procedure of Registration

• registration of private or public company
• limited by guarantee
• business name
• incorporated trustee
• conversion and re-registration of private company as public
• re-registration of unlimited company as a limited by shares
• post-incorporation service
• check for name availability
• reserve business name
• change of name
• get E-stamp duty
• mortgages
• debentures
• charges
• increase in share capital
• certificate of true copies
• company search
• other statutory services

How to Register on CAC

To register on CAC you need to go to their company registration portal. The portal has a free user guide to download. The website also has a name availability search tool. You need to create an account to login.

The first step to registration is public search for a business name. The second step is reserve a name and submission of your preferred business name.

The third step is pre-incorporation. The pre-incorporation is to register a company with your name. Finally there is the post-incorporation stage to file changes to your existing business. The registration portal also has accredited agents, create account and contact info.

Related Post: How to Form a Limited Liability Company

Read More

How to Start an Online Fashion Store

Starting an online store is slightly challenging but lucrative. Top stores make huge sales daily amounting to thousands of dollars. The downside to fashion business is the serious competition and huge variety of choices. 

To succeed you need to develop a brand, focus on a niche and sell at competitive prices. There are a few things to consider such as product sourcing, marketing, startup capital and ecommerce platform.

The ecommerce store should have a good domain name and host plan. Others are SEO, traffic generation and conversions. Thinking of launching an online store there are a few things you need to put in place.

How to Start an Online Store

Write a Business Plan

The first step is to write a comprehensive business plan. The plan should factor manufacturing or wholesale process.  Include marketing, web hosting and storage. Conduct a market analysis to recognize the competition, prices and services they offer.

image source./pixabay.com/

Online fashion Store Business Plan

• Map out mission and vision statement
• Sourcing the product
• Business structure
• Funding
• Domain name and host planning
• Pricing
• Warehousing/storage
• Marketing and budgeting

Product Sourcing

As an online fashion store there are many ways to source your products. You could purchase wholesale from manufacturers home or abroad.

Other alternatives are designing and sewing the fabrics yourself or outsourcing the production. Another way is buying the stock from fashion stores in your locality and selling to your online patrons.

• purchase wholesale
• designing and sew
• outsource the production
• buy retail from stores

Stocking Challenges

Every strategy has its own drawbacks such as import duties, insurance for imported cloths. Others are marginal price differentiation for cloths sourced from local fashion stores.

It is very important investigating the source and manufacturing process of outsourced companies. Make sure the cloths are of the highest standard and quality.

If you decide to manufacture the cloths yourself you need a credible source of material. Other things include appropriate machinery, tailors and designs.

Legalities

There are a few legalities based on the country you operate. Your products maybe subjected to value added tax and you need an EIN. Others are business liability insurance and registering a business name.

Importers face additional challenges such as custom duties, origin of cloths and packaging. More include fluctuating exchange rates, taxes and time management.

Funding

The amount of startup funding you have will dictate the amount of inventory you stock. Growth is also tied to amount of inventory, marketing and quality service.

Many small fashion outfits remain the same size after several years because of lack of funding. Relying on turnover to re-coup stock would sustain the business but cannot induce significant growth.

To raise funds you could try target savings or borrow from family and friends.

Build the Online Store

To build the e-Store you need to buy a good domain name and host plan. There are many host companies like Godaddy, Bluehost, HostGator and iPage.

Make sure the site has high definition images of your products. Include description, prices, about us page, terms and conditions and a shopping cart.

To build your store you could hire a web designer or build it yourself. There are many premium templates to use with Wordpress.org software.

Store Traffic

The more targeted traffic the likelihood of success of the enterprise. To generate traffic you could include a blog to your commerce site.

The best traffic is organic or direct traffic that converts. Generate traffic through Adwords, Facebook ads and other online advertisement networks.

Make sure you work within a budget to manage expenses. Don’t forget to include a phone number and put in place proper customer service.

How eCommerce Stores Make Money

ECommerce stores make money through margins. Generally distributors pay 25% per 1000 units and wholesale the stock at 50%.

The stockiest then sells retail at RRP to end buyer. The markup is usually twice wholesale costs to arrive at a fair price. 

Based on your business structure you could consider the purchase price, shipping, manufacturing and labor. Fashion retailers make money from small margins on each item sold.

Related Resources

How to Start a Necktie Business

How to Design Customized T-Shirts

Read More

How to Start a Dating or Matchmaking Website

The job description of a dating service is to facilitate connections between people seeking love or relationship. The websites provide a place for self expression, contact, communication and connection.

The user finds people they are compatible with or future partners. Dating sites are generally for single people or those seeking new friendships.

The matchmaking industry records an estimated sale of over 1 billion worldwide. The industry is huge and highly competitive.

Most operations are run by independent small business owners. They offer tailored services to specific markets.

Despite the impersonal nature of online dating sites many people have found love, relationship and marriage. The matchmaker charges an annual fee for upgrades and special services.

They make money through registration, subscription and phone number disclosure. The type of services they offer depends on their focus and business template.

Why use a Matchmaking Service

Why do people use a matchmaking service? The service caters to different type of people and provides information on possible match.

Busy people have no time for relationships and prefer using an agency. Another major attraction is the worldwide appeal and widespread of members.

Functions of a Matchmaking Service

The matchmaker’s duty is to create a conductive environment for interaction between members. They bring people together by introduction questioners and surveys.

This allows like minded individuals find themselves. A member registers and answers questioners based on the person’s interests, profession and purpose.

How to Start a Dating or Matchmaking Business

There are different types of matchmaking business. You have the physical matchmaking service or online matchmakers.

Terrestrial Matchmakers

Physical matchmakers are terrestrial and location based. They conduct their business from an official location.

They accept members and connect them to other members or organize events. Most of them have websites to attract more members.

The business requires incorporation, licensing and a permit. They are also mandated to provide a safe environment for interaction of members.
How to Start a Speed Dating Business

Online Dating Services

Online matchmakers work exclusively online. They provide a platform for interaction of members.

People register on the site, provide personal information and meet potential partners. The service providers earn through membership subscriptions and upgrades. They include special services such as telephone number exchange, contact info, premium listing and photographs.

Mode of Interaction

The mode of interaction is determined by the facilitator. You may decide to hire a venue and invite members for speed dating, setup dates or organize outing.

Physical matchmakers meet the members and store personal information of such individuals.

Prepare a Contract

Prepare a contract that highlights your term of service. Specify your services, programs and other provisions. The contract should provide protection and confidentiality of member’s personal information.

How to Start a Dating or Matchmaking Website

Conduct Research

You need a matchmaking business plan and feasibility study. Make sure you include a comprehensive study of the industry.

Study what other dating services offer their members. Understand the pricing system, services and management.

 Find out why people use such dating sites and their purpose. Fashion your product or service in line with the niche market of choice.  Offer members a unique experience and innovative services.
How to Start a Matchmaking Business

Focus on Demography

Focus on a demography based on qualifications, ethnicity, work experience, age group and location. The dating website should offer experiences in specific areas such as friendship, love, marriage and casual relationship.

The site could cater to teenagers, spinsters, divorces or women above 50. Some dating sites target specific professions or ethnicity.

Profiling

• Qualifications
• Ethnicity
• work experience
• age group
• location

Matchmaking Questioner

As a matchmaking service you need a questioner. The questioner provides an insight to the person’s character interests and goals.

The questioner should cover interests, education, experience and preferences. Others are age of the person, ethnicity, location and purpose of joining the dating site.  

The matchmaking service uses the answers to profile the individual. The matchmakers use the information to find people who are compatible.

They then send the details to a member for introductions. The member choosing who to interact with and might decide to set a date. This service is sometimes facilitated by the matchmaker

How to Setup an Online Matchmaking Website

Choose a Domain Name

To setup your website you need to choose a domain name. There are many host providers and marketplaces to buy one.

Make sure the domain name has keyword that describes your services. Register the domain name and buy hosting plan.  There are many host providers like Godaddy, HostGator or NameCheap.

Build the Website

Make sure the website you build is highly responsive and search engine optimized. Purchase premium templates or hire a web developer to build the site.

The website should be easy to navigate, attractive and fun. Introduce added value features for a robust experience.

Before going live make sure every aspect of the website works perfectly. Test the feature, navigation and services.

Marketing

Use different marketing strategies to attract traffic to the website. Use advertisement networks, social media and classified websites.

You could add a blog to the site and write quality posts. Advertise in newspapers, magazines and radio. Physical matchmakers could use traditional methods such as flyers, billboards, posters and business cards.

.

Read More