Starting a Nail Salon: An Essentials List

So, you are opening a nail salon? You’ve got this! Starting a nail business can be terrifying, but do not let your fear overshadow the excitement this career leap entails. You are about to take charge of your own future, and you are completely capable. What's next after getting all the paperwork done? One of the biggest questions we get is, “What do I need to start a nail business?” and at The GelBottle, we completely get it! Until you have owned a salon, it can be hard to envision all the things you might need, so we made a nail salon essentials list.

Starting a Nail Business

Before jumping into equipment, we recommend looking into the following before opening a nail salon.

1. Insurance: We hope we are stating the obvious when we say you need insurance as it helps cover you, your business, potential employees, and clients.
2. An offer: Starting with lower pricing than you want or special deals may be a great way to build up clients. Our founder, Daisy Kalnina, offered a Groupon deal when she opened her salon; although she didn’t make money while running this promotion, it grew her client base, and each Groupon client returned — paying full price due to great service — meaning she was busy in no time!
3. Education: If you are opening a salon, you want to ensure you cater to your market, offer the best service, and give tips to your employees accordingly. To attract crowds, you need to understand how to create and set trends, and by continuing your education, you can have the confidence you are qualified to do so. We offer a wide variety of courses at our Academy.
4. Booking system: Whether it is a super organized planner or an online system, you MUST have your appointments in order. Your clients are your priority, and their entire time spent in your salon should be smooth sailing and stress-free.

What Equipment Do I Need To Start a Nail Business?

There are so many nail salon ideas, but what is at the top of the priority list?

1. Payment device: The option to pay by card makes it much more likely for your clients to upgrade services and revisit before payday, but make sure to offer cash options as well.
2. A comfy chair and desk: Although it is tempting to opt for a cheaper choice, you do not want to scrimp when it comes to your setup. Bad chairs can cause nail techs to have killer back pain, and the last thing you want is your body stopping you from looking forward to work in the morning.
3. Lamp: If you invest in your lamp, it should last you for years. Always make sure your lamp is designed for the brand of gel you are using to ensure it delivers the best results and leaves your clients in the safest hands (pardon the pun). Our TGB Light the Way Nail Lamp is a high-quality essential and cures TGB gel in 60 seconds.
4. Towels: Whatever you do, make sure they are fluffy. You could consider matching them to your branding. TGB towels are 100% cotton and are the perfect size for manicures.
5. E-file: Provided you are trained, invest in a good e-file. It will speed up your removals, giving you more time for more clients, and more importantly, a lunch break. Our TGB Portable E-File has very high torque for a light touch, low vibration, tension-free, and smooth removal.
6. Bases and tops: Always keep two of these in reserve stock; the last thing you want is to run out of base coat after a busy period and have to cancel clients until a new bottle arrives. TGB Rubber Base and Extreme Shine Top are great to keep in stock, but we have other options too.
7. A wide range of colors: You never know who is going to walk through your door, so even if you cannot afford a large collection yet, ensure you have a variety. You should always have one to three nude shades (including a sheer nude), one classic red, one dark red, one white, one black, one to three pink shades, a few bold colors, glitters, pastels, and neons. This should provide a great starting point for any customer of any demographic. Check out TGB bottles for inspiration!
8. BIAB™: For clients with flaky nails or active hands or those who want some extra strength support, our Builder in a Bottle does it all. You can add it as a supplementary treatment at an extra cost. TGB BIAB is used to help add thickness and strength to either nail tips to create extensions or directly on the natural nail.  
9. A range of tools: You should have a good range of buffers, files, cuticle pushers, acetone, and hygiene products to provide the best possible prep and ensure long-lasting results, and don't forget to stock our cuticle oil to top off with a nourishing finish.We offer all the essentials a nail technician would need. 
10. Candles or reed diffusers: Remember, you want people to visit your salon for the experience. Subtle yet relaxing smells and sounds can all contribute to the downtime your client craves. Just make sure you keep any fragrances or candles far from chemicals and nail products.
11. Good lighting and backdrop: Social media is your best friend for drawing attention to your new salon. You need your pictures to look as eye-catching and professional as possible. A clean, crisp backdrop and strong, natural-looking lighting not only make it easier for you to work precisely, but they can also enhance the finish of your social media images. Remember, Instagram can be your portfolio, so you want to be in the best position to easily create great content.

And if you are looking for some inspiration on showcasing designs, we got you covered! From Kim K-inspired nails to the best colors that suit each season, the list does not end there. We hope your new business venture is a success, and remember — you got this!

Disclaimer: These are just some of the things we recommend when starting a nail salon. This piece is one opinion only; everyone is different and should conduct their research before agreeing to any purchases or making business decisions.