8 Tips to Run Your Business as a New Lash Tech
Do you intend to start your own lash business? Turn your dreams into reality and start your own eyelash extension business! No need to worry. Don’t stress out. Here are 8 tips to help you get started and have your own successful lash business.
As a new lash tech, outline your budget and goals
The first step is to set your goals and determine your budget. Your goals will make it easier for you to make decisions regarding your lash business. It will help you define where your business will go and tell you when you will get there. Setting your goals from the start will motivate you to push forward and boost your effectiveness.
Your goals will affect your budget and vice versa. You have to be mindful of how you spend your budget. Remember to consider your goals. In the long run, you will see the fruit of all your labor and intense budgeting.
Every lash tech needs an online booking system
As a budding entrepreneur, you have to be mindful of how you spend your money. This is another reason why it is very important to set and outline your budget. Hiring a secretary or assistant might not be within your budget. You will have to pay for their monthly salary, which can be expensive depending on your allocated budget.
Lash businesses thrive when clients schedule appointments, have lash extensions applied and purchase the products you offer. It is important to have someone available to accept calls from clients and keep up with the schedules. This is hard if you are doing everything by yourself. In order to maximize your time and energy, consider signing up for an online booking system that clients can go on to book appointments and sign waiver forms in real time.
A booking system will allow you to stay on schedule, prevent double bookings and keep track of client information and past service histories. Many booking systems available have a ton of added features to help your business, these added features include (but not limited to) appointment reminder emails and waitlist availability.
Do yourself a favor and do your research on what type of booking systems are out on the market, many have the option for a free trial so you can test which system meets all of your business needs before purchasing.
Balance bookings and personal life as a new lash tech
I know how important it is to have many clients and scheduled bookings, but you have to think about your work life balance. This is sometimes overlooked and not considered until you experience burnout. Work life balance is very important, especially for business owners and entrepreneurs as their work hours are not always clear and defined. Your business is a reflection on how well you take care of your physical and mental health.
In order to prioritize your well being make it a point to not take too many clients. Set realistic expectations about how many clients you want to take per day and consider allocating set days off. Make sure you still have time left to spend with the people that matter: your family, friends, and yourself.
Lash techs need to finalize pricing for service and products
Before you set your prices for the products and services you offer, you will need to compare the pricing offered by your local competitors. Your pricing shouldn’t be too high or too low, you want to attract potential clients and still make money.
The price you charge will ultimately depend on where you live and what other lash artists are charging, your skillset and how much experience you have. When building your clientele, consider offering limited time promotions on new services.
When it comes to market research a great way to collect information and see all the services and products they offer is to pose as a potential client and visit your nearby competitors. You will be able to get a snapshot of services, products and pricing. Having said that, many businesses have a website or social media account with such information making your research much easier.
With retail products your supplier may have a suggested retail price or the MSRP (manufacturer’s suggested retail price), most vendors will stick to this suggestion to ensure the highest profit margins.
Set up space and décor as a lash tech welcoming new clients
Are you setting up your lash business at home or a separate establishment? If you are setting up your business at home, this will be easier, quicker, and more cost-effective. Meanwhile, if you are planning to use a separate establishment, you need thorough planning.
When setting up and decorating the space for your lash business, you need to think of your budget. If you have a small budget, think about upcycling some furniture, accessories, and décor from your home that you do not use. Look around your house and storage, there might be pieces in there that you can upcycle.
For example, you may find cabinetry in your attic. Clean it out and apply a layer of varnish or repaint it.
Have a social media presence if you are a new lash tech
In this day and age, almost everyone has their own social media accounts. It is one of the easiest, fastest, and affordable ways to gain clients and expand your reach.
Create a social media account solely for your lash business. Update it regularly. Make sure you post the certificates you’ve earned as well as any special achievements related to your lashing business. Post lash quotes and customer reviews! Pictures of your work are like your business cards, they speak volumes to potential and can motivate them to use your services in the future.
Promote safety as a lash tech
Safety should be your #1 priority. You have to show your clients that your lash salon and business is comfortable, safe, and will provide outstanding services and products.
Also, because of Covid-19, people have become more cautious and careful. Knowing safety is a priority helps build confidence in your brand. Clients want to be reminded and reassured about health and safety protocols, they also want to know that every client needs to follow the same rules and regulations you, as a business, have set in place. You want your clients to feel at ease and able to enjoy visiting your lash salon.
Buy quality and reputable lash supplies
To be able to provide the best services to your clients, you need to use good-quality and reputable lash supplies. Your budget might limit your purchases. But keep in mind, not all expensive products are good and not all cheap ones are bad. Check all the customer reviews for a specific product and brand in order to help you make the right decisions.
Look for products that are within your budget but still good quality. There are reputable brands that offer sustainable and affordable products like Borboleta, Eyelash Maker, Glamcor, Lash Artisan, Lash God, LBLA, Max2Originale, My Brand Lashes, Ruthie Belle, Sugarlash, and Untamed Artistry.