Whilst many businesses moved online during the pandemic and have opted to continue with this status quo, there are those like the hairdressing industry for whom this wasn’t an option. That isn’t to say, however, that the hairdressing industry hasn’t also undergone its own transformation post-pandemic.

As a result of lifestyle changes, more people than ever are choosing to adapt how they do things, opting for essential services and goods to come to them rather than leave the house.

Is It Worth Starting A Mobile Hairdressing Business?

If you are looking at starting a mobile hairdressing business, there is certainly a market for this service, no matter where you are based in the country. Build up a regular client list, and you will not only be your own boss but also have a steady business income without the overheads associated with a hair salon.

Our guide will take you through the steps you will need to make the move when starting a mobile hairdressing business as a qualified hairdresser.

Create a business plan

Your first step should be to create a business plan. This step is essential when starting any business , so you should take your time and ensure that you get your business strategy right. These are the factors you should think about including in your business plan.

• Business name – Many people prefer to use their own name for their mobile hairdressing business, but if you are feeling creative, then consider something that will make you stand out. Remember to check if another business has already taken the name. Once you have settled on a name, you can then contact the team at Your Company Formations who specialise in helping people set up the correct legal documentation for their business.
• Set your goals – This will give you a clear vision and keep you motivated. It can be a good idea to set both short (6-12 months) and long-term goals (5 years). Remember to celebrate your goals once you reach them – and set new ones.
• Do your research – You should spend time looking into how much competition there is in your area, both in terms of salons and other mobile hairdressers. If there is too much competition, you may struggle because people tend to be loyal to their hairdresser. As part of your research, look at what is on offer and the prices.
• Who is your target audience? – As part of your business plan, you will need to define the target audience for your mobile hairdressing business. Do you want to travel to elderly care facilities, visit working mums at home, or opt for the younger market?
• Consider your budget – whilst you may not need to pay out for premises, there are still costs to consider. What sort of salary will you be taking from the business? What will your costs for petrol and products be? Some of these costs are fixed, whilst others will vary so take that into account.
• Services & prices – qualifications and experience will play a significant role in the services that you provide. The more you are able to offer, the greater your chance of building up your client list. Remember to take into account all your costs when setting out your pricing structure.
• Location – travelling is part and parcel of being a mobile hairdresser. Decide how far you are willing to travel to see clients to ensure financial viability.
• Hours of work – being mobile can offer great flexibility, but within that flexibility, you should allow for some structure. Prime time for appointments is usually Friday, Saturday and most evenings.
• Advertising – make mention of advertising in your business plan, but we will go into that in detail later in this guide.

Register as self-employed

You will need to register as self-employed as soon as you can to keep track of your finances. The process is, in fact, incredibly simple. All you need to do is log onto the government portal and input your basic details (personal information, date you started your mobile hairdressing business, address and National Insurance Number).

Once this is done, you will be sent a Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR), which is 10 digits long. This will allow you to access your account online, where you will file your tax returns each year.

Purchase any necessary equipment

If you have already been working in a salon, then you may have some of the necessary equipment, but if you don’t, then you need to get kitted out before you can start. Look for specialist salon suppliers where you may be able to access trade discounts. This will help to keep those start-up costs low.

If you don’t already own a car, then this is something else you will need to buy and maintain regularly so that it doesn’t let you down.

Insurance

Whether it’s hair dye spills on a client’s floor or a customer tripping over a hairdryer lead accidents can happen, so it is important to invest in a comprehensive insurance policy to protect yourself.

You should consider both business equipment coverage and public liability insurance to ensure you are fully covered. There are also specialist policies for mobile hairdressers, so do some research and make sure you get the right policy for you. You will also need to make sure your car insurance policy covers business usage.

Marketing

One final thing to do to help get your mobile hairdressing business up and running is to set up a website. Include a brief bio of your qualifications and experience, the services you offer together with prices, and the areas where you will travel to. Don’t forget to add your contact information.

Photos of some of your work, mentions of the products you use and testimonials from satisfied clients will also help to boost potential client confidence. You can add photos and testimonials as you build up your client base.

You also want to make sure you have a presence on Social Media and that you link these to your website to help boost your visibility.

One final thing to think about is engaging with your audience of current and future customers. This means regularly posting on your social media platforms and perhaps adding a blog to your website. A good blog offers value to your audience and even invites responses.

Hopefully, you’re now confident in the steps you need to take when starting a mobile hairdressing business. Here at Your Company Formations, we would happily advise you on getting ready to take this exciting first step, and we can help ensure you’re starting off on a solid legal footing. Why not get in touch to find out more?