How to open a small nail salon: 3 business tips for nail salons

In recent years, the nail industry has been considered one of the easiest businesses to start in Vietnam. According to practical surveys, many small nail salons can operate stably with an initial capital of just tens to over a hundred million VND, much lower than other business models. Therefore, many people are looking for ways to open a small nail salon to become their own bosses, have a steady income, and leverage their existing skills.

If you're wondering where to start – what licenses you need, what equipment to prepare, or how to make your salon run effectively from day one – this article will help you quickly grasp the most important steps, avoid costly mistakes, and clearly define a practical and suitable path for a new small nail salon business.

Experience 1: How to start a nail salon from scratch

Step 1: Gain practical experience before opening a nail salon

Work at a nail salon to gain experience

• If you've only ever visited a nail salon as a customer, put your plan to open a salon on hold and go work at an established nail salon.

• Directly working as a nail technician helps you understand the necessary skills, work intensity, peak hour pressure, and how to serve real customers.

• This is an important foundation for opening a sustainable small nail salon, as you understand the craft before becoming an owner.

Starting part-time is still very valuable

• Just by working part-time, you can still learn how the salon operates daily without having to quit your current job.

• This time is suitable for:

  • Observing customer traffic and popular service demands

  • Accumulating capital, tools, and professional connections

  • Verifying if you are truly suited for the nail salon business

Carefully observe management and operations

• While working, don't just focus on nail techniques; pay attention to the management aspect behind the scenes:

  • How the salon schedules customers, rotates shifts

  • Managing supplies, cosmetics, and daily expenses

  • How the owner handles busy periods or negative feedback

• This is the role you will take on when applying how to open a small nail salon for beginners and want the salon to operate smoothly.

Professional experience is a great advantage when becoming an owner

• Once you understand both the skills and the operations, you will:

  • Make more accurate decisions when opening a salon

  • Avoid many costly mistakes

  • Build credibility with staff and customers from the start

• In reality, those who have worked as nail technicians tend to operate nail salons more effectively and stably than those who only invest capital.

Step 2: Define the nail salon model you want to open

Clearly visualize the nail salon style from the start

• Before you start, you need to determine who your nail salon will serve and in what style.

• For example:

  • A relaxing, quiet nail salon, where customers come to unwind and receive meticulous care

  • A fast-paced nail salon, serving busy office workers, quick service – high customer turnover

• Defining this early helps you stay on track with how to open a small nail salon and avoid scattered investments.

Business goals directly impact the salon opening plan

• Once your goals are clear, you can easily decide:

  • Salon location: busy main street or quiet residential area

  • Nail salon size: compact or spacious for a relaxing experience

  • Services offered: basic manicures only or adding hand/foot spa, skincare

• This is a crucial step in how to open a small nail salon for beginners, as each choice affects costs and profitability.

Defining the model helps reduce risks when starting

• Many people fail because they open a salon without knowing what value they are selling to customers.

• When you clearly understand the nail salon model you want to build, the process of:

  • Financial planning

  • Purchasing equipment

  • Hiring suitable staff
    becomes simpler and more practical.

Step 3: Complete necessary licenses to open a nail salon

Identify mandatory license types

• When applying the small nail salon opening method, legal aspects are an unmissable step.

• At a minimum, you need:

  • Valid nail / cosmetology certificates

  • Business license for the salon to operate legally

• In some areas, salon owners may also need a license to sell specialized products such as nail polish and hand/foot care cosmetics.

Complete professional certification if you don't have it yet

• If you don't have a professional certification, research nail or cosmetology training programs in your area.

• Common study duration:

  • From 1 to 2 years, depending on the program and study format

• After completing the course, you will be issued a certificate qualifying you to open a nail salon, which is an important foundation for long-term business.

Submit business license application to the correct authority

• Business licenses and related documents are usually submitted to:

  • Local business registration authority

  • Department of commerce or corporate administration

• When preparing your application, you should:

  • Carefully check legal requirements in the intended salon location

  • Clearly inquire about any additional licenses if selling products alongside services

Proactively research local laws to avoid risks

• Each locality has different regulations regarding:

  • Conditions for opening a nail salon

  • Operating and business licenses

• Researching early helps you:

  • Avoid fines or forced shutdowns

  • Confidently implement legal ways to open a small nail salon

Step 4: Prepare capital effectively for opening a nail salon

Start accumulating capital as early as possible

• When planning how to open a small nail salon, capital is the deciding factor for the speed and scale of implementation.

• Proactively save money early to:

  • Cover rental costs

  • Purchase tools, chairs, nail equipment

  • Set aside operating expenses for the first few months

Be flexible with funding sources when needed

• If your savings are insufficient, you might consider:

  • Taking out a small business loan from a bank or financial institution

  • Receiving financial support from family and friends

• The important thing is to only borrow what you can afford to repay to avoid financial pressure when the salon is new.

Separate salon opening funds for easy management

• It's advisable to open a separate savings account for your nail salon opening capital.

• This approach helps you:

  • Clearly control cash flow

  • Avoid mistakenly spending on personal matters

  • Easily track capital preparation progress

Tighten spending during the preparation phase

• While planning to open your salon, be sure to:

  • Limit unnecessary expenses

  • Prioritize saving for business goals

• Every penny saved helps you:

  • Reduce stress during the grand opening

  • Increase your chances of success when applying how to open a small nail salon for beginners

Step 5: Estimate initial nail salon opening costs

List all necessary expenses

• When applying how to open a small nail salon, you need to clearly define what the money will be used for from the start.

• Common costs include:

  • Rent and deposit

  • Business license, practice certificate

  • Facility inspection fees, taxes and administrative expenses

  • Purchase of nail tools, chairs, tables, machinery and consumables

• Detailed listing helps you avoid capital shortages before the salon stabilizes.

Include operating costs after opening

• In addition to opening costs, you need to prepare a budget for the operating phase:

  • Nail technician and staff salaries

  • Electricity, water, internet

  • Daily raw materials

• This is a part that many new nail salon owners often overlook, leading to early financial pressure.

Consult experienced people before deciding

• To estimate more accurately, you should:

  • Consult with business advisors

  • Ask successful nail salon owners directly

• Practical experience from industry insiders helps you understand the capital required to open a small nail salon in your intended business area.

Nail salons are a moderate cost model

• Compared to many other business types, nail salons have the advantage of:

  • No complex technology required

  • Relatively simple and easily replaceable equipment

• Thanks to this, opening a small nail salon for beginners is often more feasible if costs are calculated reasonably.

Step 6: Complete the legal requirements for opening a nail salon

Register the nail salon as a legal entity

• Once the plan and capital are ready, the next step in how to open a small nail salon is to complete the legal paperwork.

• You need to submit business registration documents to the competent state management agency in the locality.

• After being recognized as a legal business entity, your nail salon can operate long-term and legally.

Register tax ID for the business

• Every nail salon needs a separate tax ID to:

  • Declare taxes

  • Manage finances

  • Determine the owner's tax obligations

• This is mandatory information if you want to conduct business transparently and avoid legal troubles later.

Choose the right business model

• Depending on the number of people involved in opening the salon, you can choose:

  • Individual business: suitable if you open a small nail salon by yourself

  • Joint capital contribution: if there are others investing and operating with you

• The joint capital contribution model helps share costs and work, but profits will also be shared according to the agreement.

Consider carefully before joint ventures

• When opening a nail salon with others, you should:

  • Clearly agree on rights and responsibilities

  • Have a written agreement from the start

• This helps avoid conflicts and ensures the salon operates stably long-term.

Experience 2: Prepare tools and capital to open a nail salon

Step 1: Choose a suitable location to open a nail salon

Prioritize a visible yet convenient location

• When applying how to open a small nail salon, location is a direct factor affecting customer traffic.

• An ideal location needs to be:

  • Easily visible from the street, capable of attracting walk-in customers

  • Still ensures privacy and comfort for customers using services

• A good location helps you retain regular customers and increases the chance of attracting new ones.

Near target customer groups

• You should prioritize renting premises near:

  • Fashion stores

  • Restaurants, cafes

  • Shopping areas or densely populated residential areas

• These locations often concentrate the right customer group for nail services, helping the salon naturally attract customers without much advertising cost.

Shopping centers or private premises are both fine

• In reality, it has been shown that:

  • Many nail salons operate well in shopping malls and commercial centers

  • Some salons are still very stable when located in townhouses or private premises

• The suitable choice should be based on:

  • Your current budget

  • The size of the salon

  • The business style you determined from the start

Closer to the center, higher customer traffic

• Opening a nail salon near the city center or a busy area will:

  • Increase walk-in customers

  • Reduce the waiting time for the salon to achieve stable revenue

• However, you need to balance the rent to avoid financial pressure in the initial phase.

Step 2: Equip the nail salon space fully and comfortably

Prepare mandatory interior items

• When implementing how to open a small nail salon, you need to prioritize items that directly serve the services.

• Essential items include:

  • Nail tables or stations for technicians

  • Manicure tables

  • Reclining chairs with footrests for pedicure services

  • Trolleys for tools and supplies

  • Waiting chairs for customers

• These factors directly affect customer experience and technician work efficiency.

Decorate to create a relaxing atmosphere

• Once you have enough basic furniture, you can start tending to the space:

  • Hang paintings, light decor items

  • Place green plants or small potted plants in the salon

• No need for overly elaborate investment, but a tidy and comfortable space will make customers want to return, especially for a small nail salon serving long-term clients.

Check and complete technical systems

• If the premises are not ready, you may need to hire workers to install additional:

  • Restrooms

  • Sinks for hands and tools

  • Ventilation and odor extraction systems

• This is a part that many new nail salon owners often overlook, but it is crucial for:

  • Meeting hygiene requirements

  • Ensuring a safe working environment for technicians and customers

Prioritize comfort over appearance

• In how to open a small nail salon for beginners, remember:

  • Customers stay in the salon for quite a long time

  • Comfort determines the service perception more than expensive decor

• Doing the groundwork well will help you save costs while still creating a professional nail salon.

Step 3: Prepare all necessary supplies for the nail salon

List daily supplies

• When implementing how to open a small nail salon, you need to list in detail all the items used in a working day.

• Basic supplies include:

  • Nail clippers, scissors, files, buffers

  • Lotions, wipes

  • Toe and finger separators

• These are consumables that are used continuously, so you need to have enough from the start.

Proactively plan for regular inventory replenishment

• Nail supplies usually need to be reordered every 1–2 weeks, depending on the number of customers.

• Proactive planning helps to:

  • Avoid running out of tools when busy with customers

  • Effectively control operating costs

• In how to open a small nail salon for beginners, good inventory management significantly saves long-term costs.

Don't overlook auxiliary supplies

• In addition to nail tools, you need to prepare:

  • Paper towels, wipes

  • Hand soap

  • Acetone and cleaning solution

  • Books, magazines, or reading material in the waiting area

• These small details contribute to a professional and comfortable experience for customers.

Buy supplies in bulk to optimize costs

• It is advisable to work with wholesale suppliers to purchase supplies in large quantities.

• Benefits of buying in bulk:

  • Lower price compared to retail

  • Stable supply source

  • Easy quality control of materials

• This is a practical tip to help open a small nail salon with a low budget while ensuring smooth operations.

Step 4: Sell products alongside services to increase nail salon revenue

Don't just make money from nail services

• In reality, very few nail salons can maximize profits if they rely solely on nail service income.

• In how to open a small nail salon, selling beauty care products is a secondary but sustainable source of income.

• Customers often tend to buy products they have experienced directly at the salon.

Choose easy-to-sell and suitable products

• Priority items include:

  • Nail polish, toe polish

  • Hand and foot creams

  • Exfoliation tools, at-home nail care products

• When customers take products home to use, they will remember the salon and return more often.

Work with reputable suppliers

• You should proactively contact:

  • Cosmetics companies

  • Health and beauty brands

• The goal is to:

  • Buy goods at wholesale prices

  • Seek long-term partnership opportunities

• This is how a small nail salon can increase profits without needing more staff.

Arrange a separate display area in the salon

• You should dedicate a small corner, separate from the service area, to:

  • Display products neatly

  • Make it easy for customers to browse and choose

• This space can function as a mini boutique counter, helping to increase the average value per customer.

Experience 3: Secrets to successful nail salon business

Step 1: Market your nail salon to attract customers

Promote your nail salon in the right places, to the right audience

• In how to open a small nail salon, initial marketing determines whether the salon will get customers early.

• You should design simple but memorable flyers and place them at:

  • Cosmetic stores, spas

  • Cafes, beauty areas

  • Residential areas or offices near the salon

• Advertising content needs to include full details:

  • Nail salon name

  • Address, phone number

  • Main services

  • Opening hours

Leverage existing professional connections

• If you have worked at another nail salon, you should:

  • Ask former owners or colleagues to refer customers

  • Gently inform old regular customers about your new salon

• This is a practical and effective way for a newly opened nail salon to attract customers from the start without high costs.

Word-of-mouth is the strongest advertisement

• For a nail salon model, service quality is the best marketing.

• When you do well:

  • Satisfied customers will refer friends

  • Old customers will return many times

• This is a long-term foundation in how to open a sustainable small nail salon, as it doesn't require much advertising spending but still attracts a steady stream of customers.

Focus on experience rather than flashy advertising

• New nail salon owners do not need extensive promotion.

• Prioritize:

  • Providing meticulous service

  • Friendly communication

  • Maintaining credibility with each customer

• When trust is built, marketing will spread most naturally.

Step 2: Build a social media presence for your nail salon

Utilize social media for effective promotion

• In how to open a small nail salon, social media is a low-cost but highly effective marketing channel.

• Facebook and Instagram are particularly suitable for:

  • Posting pictures of completed nail designs

  • Sharing genuine feedback and reviews from customers

• This helps new customers trust the salon even before visiting.

Set up a neat, easy-to-find page

• Each social media account for the salon should:

  • Use a clear, consistent nail salon name

  • Have complete information: address, phone number, opening hours

• A simple presentation helps customers easily find – easily remember – easily contact, which is very important for a newly opened nail salon.

Update content regularly

• To keep the page "alive", you should post regularly:

  • Introduce available services

  • Promotional programs for new customers

  • Before-and-after nail photos

• Content doesn't need to be elaborate, but it must be genuine and consistent with the services the salon provides.

Learn from well-performing nail salons

• If you don't have experience managing a fan page, you should:

  • Follow popular nail salons

  • Observe how they arrange their pages, write content, and post pictures

• This is a quick and practical way to learn in how to open a small nail salon for beginners.

Encourage customer interaction

• You can invite customers to:

  • Send photos of their nails after the service

  • Tag the salon's fan page when posting personally

• User-generated content helps to:

  • Increase credibility

  • Promote the nail salon naturally

Step 3: Focus on a few strong nail services

Choose fewer services but do them exceptionally well

• In how to open a small nail salon, quality matters more than quantity.

• Instead of offering too many mediocre services, you should:

  • Choose 2–3 nail services that you or your technicians do best

  • Invest deeply in craftsmanship, processes, and customer experience

• When customers visit your salon, they will know your strengths and trust you more easily.

Maintain a clear positioning for easy customer recall

• A salon that advertises nail art, skincare, chemical peels, hot stone massages, etc., often makes customers:

  • Confused about what the salon specializes in

  • Doubt the quality due to over-diversification

• For a small nail salon, clear positioning helps to:

  • Create a unique identity

  • Differentiate from nearby salons

  • Attract the right target customers

Reduce operational pressure for owners and technicians

• When limiting the number of services:

  • Technicians are not overloaded with skills

  • Easier to train and control quality

  • Work processes are streamlined, with fewer errors

• This is a very practical factor in how to open a small nail salon for beginners, helping the salon operate stably from the start.

Expand services when a solid foundation is established

• When the salon has a stable customer base and increasing demand:

  • You can definitely add new services

  • Expand gradually according to actual capabilities

• This approach helps reduce risks and avoids premature investment.

Step 4: Price nail services competitively and reasonably

Determine prices for each specific service

• In how to open a small nail salon, pricing correctly from the start helps the salon attract customers while ensuring profitability.

• You should price each service separately, for example:

  • Basic nail set

  • Acrylics, gels

  • Manicure – pedicure combo

• Each price needs to accurately reflect:

  • Execution time

  • Technician's skill level

  • Cost of materials used

Price based on actual costs

• When pricing, include all expenses:

  • Rent

  • Technician and staff salaries

  • Consumables

  • Electricity, water, other operating costs

• This approach helps you avoid situations where:

  • Many customers but no profit

  • More work leads to more financial pressure

Put yourself in the customer's shoes

• If you're unsure about pricing, ask yourself:

  • For this quality of service, how much would you be willing to pay maximum?

• Then, compare that price to:

  • The actual operating costs of the salon

  • The general price level in the area

• This is a simple but very effective method in how to open a small nail salon for beginners.

Lower prices initially for easier competition

• When the salon first opens, you can:

  • Set prices slightly lower than larger salons

  • Offer promotions for new customers

• The goals for the initial phase are:

  • Attract customers

  • Encourage repeat visits

  • Build reputation

Increase prices gradually once established

• Once the salon has a stable customer base and good reviews:

  • You can gradually adjust prices

  • Increase in line with service quality and customer experience

• Done correctly, customers will still be willing to pay more.

Step 5: Recruit suitable nail technicians for stable salon operation

Determine when additional staff are needed

• In how to open a small nail salon, you can't do everything yourself forever.

• As customer numbers grow, you'll need technicians to help:

  • Provide services on time

  • Maintain consistent quality

  • Avoid overwork that leads to losing customers

• Besides nail services, technicians also handle daily tasks like scheduling appointments, selling products, and maintaining salon hygiene.

Interview in person to choose the right person

• You should interview each candidate individually to:

  • Assess practical skills

  • Observe attitude and communication with clients

• A good resume is an advantage, but personality and service mindset are the long-term deciding factors in a small nail salon.

Check references and work attitude

• Before hiring a technician, you should:

  • Call to verify references

  • Prioritize those who are passionate about their craft, responsible, and respectful of customers

• Technicians with a good service mindset will help the salon:

  • Retain customers

  • Build reputation

  • Reduce operational hassles

Choose a suitable payment method

• For a nail salon offering basic services:

  • Hourly wages help manage costs easily

• For salons that also sell products:

  • Combine salary + sales commission

  • Motivates technicians to proactively consult customers

• A reasonable payment method helps small nail salons control costs while retaining good staff.

Good staff are the foundation for retaining customers

• Machines can be bought, decor can be redone, but skilled and dedicated nail technicians are not easy to find.

• Hiring the right people from the start will help you:

  • Reduce turnover

  • Maintain stable service quality

  • Develop the salon sustainably

Important notes for sustainable nail salon operation

Viable nail salon income

• Based on average income, nail salon owners can earn approximately 40,000–80,000 USD per year, depending on size and operational strategy.

• This figure shows that opening a small nail salon has definite profit potential if managed correctly and costs are well controlled.

Reduce workload with a receptionist

• Once the salon stabilizes, hiring a full-time receptionist helps to:

  • Handle appointments, calls, payments

  • Reduce pressure on technicians and salon owners

• This allows you to focus on:

  • Service quality

  • Salon management and development

Choose a memorable and distinctive nail salon name

• The salon name should be:

  • Concise, easy to read, easy to remember

  • Matches the style and target customer group

• A good name helps a small nail salon make an impression and easily get referrals.

Choose the right advertising channels

• In addition to social media, you can consider:

  • Advertising in women's fashion magazines

  • Wedding and beauty magazines

• These channels reach the right group of customers who regularly need nail services.

Consider the franchise model

• If conditions permit, buying a franchise can help:

  • Reduce risks when starting out

  • Have established procedures, brand, and operational support

• This is a suitable option for those without much experience opening a nail salon.

Keep the salon clean at all times

• Poor hygiene is why customers don't return, even with good skills.

• Must ensure:

  • Tools are cleaned properly

  • Space is tidy and well-ventilated

• This is a mandatory factor in how to open a reputable small nail salon.

Proactively learn about legal regulations

• Nail salons often have stricter legal requirements due to:

  • Ventilation regulations

  • Premises conditions

  • Client safety responsibility

• Learning thoroughly helps you:

  • Avoid fines

  • Operate stably long-term

References

1. https://startupjungle.com/start-nail-salon-business/
2. https://www.nailsmag.com/392682/
   11-mistakes-to-avoid-when-starting-your-own-salon
3. https://beautyschools.com/faq/
   long-will-it-take-me-to-complete-cosmetology-school/
4. https://www.sba.gov/tools/local-assistance
5. https://www.entrepreneur.com/starting-a-business/
   14-ways-to-save-money-when-starting-or-growing-a-business/272999
6. https://howtostartanllc.com/business-ideas/nail-salon
7. https://www.inc.com/jeff-haden/how-to-start-a-small-business-in-a-few-hours.html
8. http://bls.dor.wa.gov/ownershipstructures.aspx
9. https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/
   apply-for-an-employer-identification-number-ein-online
10. https://www.entrepreneur.com/starting-a-business/
    choose-the-best-location-for-your-hair-salon-and-day-spa/236746
    

Translator: Sidney Bailey Hoang.