Starting your own beauty salon

All new entrepreneurs have to come up with a name, choose a legal form, take out insurance, and register their business with KVK. This article looks at other topics specifically for beauticians.

Training

You do not need a diploma to start a beauty salon. But it is wise to complete an accredited Beauty Care training course. This can be a vocational education (MBO) course or an industry-recognised course at a private training institute. Then you can be sure that you perform your work in a professional manner. And your clients will know you have the right expertise. With a recognised diploma, you can also join the sector organisation ANBOS or De Huidprofessional.

Training as a beautician usually takes 1 or 2 years. In addition, there are various courses and training programmes you can take after obtaining your diploma. For example, a course in bridal make-up or brow lamination. If you want to specialise, you can obtain recognised specialisation diplomas in areas such as acne treatment, electric hair removal, permanent make-up, and camouflage 

Business Plan

Will your salon generate enough income? Writing a business plan, helps you find whether your plans are realistic. A marketing plan is part of your business plan. It sets out how you will advertise your business and find clients. Use the KVK Business Counter to find out more about the competition near you.

Rates

Setting the right rates for your treatments can be tricky. It depends partly on what others charge. Do you want to charge the same, more or less? If you list all your costs, you can calculate the minimum you should charge. List the purchases for your salon, your monthly fixed costs, and fluctuating expenses. Then see what you need to earn to have enough money left over to live on. In an ideal situation, you will have money left over to build up a financial reserve. 

Part-time entrepreneurship 

You can also start a part-time business as a beautician alongside a permanent job. This gives you a regular income and you are also insured against disability. It is important to check your employment contract to see whether you are allowed to run a side business and to discuss this with your employer.   

Location 

Many newcomers in the beauty industry start working from home, but you can also choose to offer at-home treatments, rent a chair in a salon, or set up shop in a rental property or your very own building. 

A beauty salon at home 

Why not start a home business in an empty room that can easily be repurposed? Or - if you want to go bigger - convert your garage into a professional beauty salon? If you will be renovating your space, look into doing so sustainably. There are a number of tax deduction schemes you can use if you do this, such as the KIA and the EIA

Additional benefits of starting a business from home include no travel time, travel expenses, or rental costs. However, there is also a big downside. If you work from home, it can be difficult to escape your job and truly enjoy your free time. 

Be sure to check municipal rules on home businesses and to check your mortgage agreement or lease to see if you are allowed to start a business from or near your home. 

At-home treatments 

You can also choose to offer at-home or on-site beauty treatments. This makes it easier to get started as you do not need a workplace. You can also offer treatments to clients who are unable to travel to you. Include your travel expenses into your (hourly) rate. 

Renting or buying a property

If you are looking to rent or buy commercial space for your own beauty salon, check whether it meets all your needs and wishes first. How much space do you need, what equipment will you need, what kind of treatment do you want to offer, and where can you put the waiting room? When looking for a property, take note of the energy label. A low energy label such as A or B means an economical building. Your energy costs will be a lot lower in a well-insulated building. 

Chair rental

Chair rental is a collaboration between two or more independent entrepreneurs sharing the same commercial space. This approach is a great way to reduce your costs, such as rent and purchasing and marketing costs. If you share a space with other entrepreneurs in the beauty sector such as hairdressers and nail stylists you can offer clients extra services.

Rules and regulations 

As a beautician, you will need to keep in mind the following rules and regulations: 

Quality registers 

The HUIDPRO register and the SKIN register (both in Dutch) are quality registers for beauticians. If you have the right diplomas and do regular refresher courses, you can become officially registered for certain treatments. Examples of these treatments are: IPL and laser treatments. 

Quality, Complaints, and Disputes Act 

Check if you need to meet the requirements set out in the Care Quality, Complaints, and Disputes Act (WKKGZ). This law protects clients if you make a mistake when doing, for instance, laser treatments or permanent make-up.  

Permanent make-up

If you have a specialised qualification in permanent make-up, you are allowed to provide these services provided you have a permit from the Municipal Health Service (GGD in Dutch). 

Health insurers

Health insurers may reimburse clients for some treatments. For example, camouflage therapy, electric hair removal, or acne treatments. However, you must have a diploma to perform the treatment and be registered with one of the quality registers.

Music in your salon 

If you play background music or other music in your salon, you have to take music rights into consideration. Ask Buma/Stemra about the costs involved. 

Opening hours 

The Trading Hours Act states that your salon is allowed to be open Monday through Saturday between 6:00 and 22:00. If you want to stay open outside these hours, you have to request a permit from your municipality. 

Separating waste

You should always separate the waste from your business. Think of paper and cardboard from boxes and packaging. But also foils, needles, glass packaging, and textiles should be collected separately. Check the Company waste separation tool to find out which waste you should separate and how.

Ban on microplastics

Besides rules for you and your salon, there are rules for the products you use. Since 17 October 2023, for example, you are no longer allowed to sell exfoliating creams containing plastic microbeads. In the coming years, the ban on microplastics will apply to more and more beauty products, such as shampoo and make-up.

Sector organisations

Beauty specialists can join sector organisations ANBOS or De Huidprofessional (both in Dutch). Here you can network with peers and attend courses, among other things. You need a diploma recognised by the sector organisations to join. 

Covering risks 

As an entrepreneur you run more risks than someone in permanent employment. For example, if something goes wrong when you are applying permanent make-up, you are liable for the consequences.  Discover what risks you are exposed to and how to limit these. With general terms and conditions, for example, the agreements that apply to your treatments are clear to every customer. Use the terms and conditions provided by one of the sector organisations or draw up your own general terms and conditions. 

You can also take out insurance, such as professional indemnity insurance, business liability insurance, and inventory insurance. You can also take out disability insurance.

General information for new entrepreneurs 

Apart from all the above, new entrepreneurs will also have to: 

• choose a legal form
• pay taxes
• deal with administration and bookkeeping
• register with KVK
• choose a name for your business