How to start a salon or beauty business
Hair, nails, lashes, brows and skin care are businesses built on skill and loyal clients. You can start from home or a rented chair and grow into your own salon. Here is what to sort out along the way.
Start small: home, mobile or a rented chair
Most beauty businesses start with the owner's skill and a small client list. Working from home, going mobile or renting a chair in an existing salon lets you build clients before you take on rent, staff and fit-out costs.
Check your municipality's rules
Municipalities can require a business licence or health inspection for personal-care services, and rules differ by municipality and by treatment: nails, massage, tattoos and piercing are often treated differently from hair. Running a salon from home can also need the right zoning or consent from the municipality. Check before you open.
Know which treatments are medical
Injectables such as Botox and dermal fillers are medicines, and may only be prescribed and administered within the rules for registered health professionals. If you are not one, do not offer them. Peels, lasers and needling also carry real risk, so get proper training, insurance and consent forms before offering them.
Hygiene, staff and products
- Sterilise tools between every client and use single-use items where you should. Your reputation depends on it.
- In some regions a hairdressing and beauty bargaining council sets minimum wages and conditions, so check what applies.
- Use registered, properly labelled products and keep records of what you used on each client.
Build a loyal client base
Beauty runs on rebooking. Use WhatsApp Business for bookings and reminders, post your work on Instagram and TikTok, ask happy clients for reviews, and reward referrals. A free verified BizBoost listing helps new clients nearby find you. See free ways to market your business.
Common questions
Do I need a licence to open a hair salon in South Africa?
Requirements are set mostly by municipalities and differ by area and service. Many require a business licence or health inspection for personal-care services, and home-based salons may need zoning consent. Check with your municipality.
Can a beauty therapist do Botox or fillers?
Injectables are medicines and may only be prescribed and administered within the rules for registered health professionals. A beauty therapist who is not a registered health professional should not offer them.
How do I get clients for my salon?
Rebookings and referrals: use WhatsApp Business for bookings and reminders, post your work on social media, ask for reviews, reward referrals and list your business free on BizBoost and Google.