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Business is booming in the Australian beauty industry. After a dip in 2020 due to the pandemic, the market turned around and has been growing steadily each year. In 2024, the total revenue from beauty and personal care products and services in Australia is on track to exceed $11 billion. If you’ve been thinking about starting your own beauty business, this could be the perfect time.
As well as spending more on beauty products and services, Australians have also been following trends and seeking out innovative products and services, from sustainable skincare to cutting-edge cosmetic procedures.
A few big things to keep your eye on this year:
- New technology reaching the beauty space in AI-driven apps and virtual try-ons, and AI-driven personalised makeup and skincare recommendations – in fact, the emergence of AI-led beauty innovations is such a revolution, it’s predicted to reach a global market value of US$8.3 billion as soon as next year with a staggering annual growth rate of 21.8%.
- The ever-growing interest in men’s grooming.
- And the continued popularity of eco-friendly and cruelty-free products – in Australia, a quarter of consumers say it’s very important to them that they have a choice of sustainable products.
If you’re still wondering which beauty business would be best for you, here are our top 11 ideas (in no particular order) with tips on how to make each a success.
1. Hair salon or barber shop
A hair salon or barber shop can be a reliable business model with a steady flow of customers. As long as they’re happy, they’ll keep coming back. And because people want their hair cut or styled all year round, you won’t be faced with peaks and dips in revenue that can challenge some other businesses. What’s more, you have the creative freedom to specialise in unique services and styles or to cater to particular clients.
Key considerations:
- Location – you’ll ideally want a spot with regular foot traffic, like a street with other shops, an arcade or a shopping centre. Avoid anywhere that’s out of the way or hard to find.
- Branding and interior design – these will play an important role in attracting new clients. Consider how they will reflect your services and appeal to your target clientele.
- Equipment – good-quality salon chairs and hairdressing tools will allow you to offer customers a comfortable and professional experience.
- Staff – hiring barbers or stylists with the experience to match your services is essential. To retain talented staff, you may want to offer above-average rates and benefits in addition to a positive working environment.
- An efficient, flexible online booking system and POS – Square Appointments makes it so easy to take bookings and payments, with sleek hardware you’ll be proud to show off.
One key to success is a strong marketing strategy specific to the beauty and personal care space, making the most of social media and a professional website to find customers. Great service is also important if you want to turn new clients into regulars, and don’t forget to keep up to date with current hair trends.
Drunken Barber in Fitzroy, Melbourne, has made a name for itself by offering barber-style cuts for a fixed price regardless of gender, with a walk-in service as well as online bookings. Customers can also enjoy a locally brewed Bodriggy beer while they get their chop.
2. Home salon
If you’d love to own a salon but don’t have much capital, prefer to start small, or want to enjoy the benefits of being near your children or pets, a home salon could be a great option. With lower startup costs and no need to rent a commercial space or hire staff, it’s an appealing entry point that comes with the added benefits of setting your own hours and working from home.
Key considerations:
- Licences and permits – check with your local council to make sure a home salon is permitted by their zoning laws.
- Website and online bookings – you won’t get any walk-ins, so you’re going to need a professional and functional website with an online booking function.
- Social media and marketing – it’s important to show off your work to attract new clients. Social media platforms such as Instagram, TikTok and YouTube are perfect for gaining followers, and you can turn them into customers by offering online promotions.
You’ll need a dedicated room or area in your home for a working space, and putting some thought into the design and decor will make it welcoming and comfortable for clients. If you don’t have a lot of money to start out, look into getting quality second-hand salon equipment, and focus on building good relationships with your clients to encourage word-of-mouth referrals and repeat business.
If you’re running your home salon as a sole trader, you especially won’t want to interrupt your client consultations to answer the phone. Square Appointments makes it easy to take online bookings so you can focus on your work.
3. Nail salon
Nail salons are enduringly popular and, like hair salons, can attract regular and repeat customers throughout the year. From basic manicures to unique nail art, there is a range of services you can offer to attract clients and expand your customer base.
Key considerations:
- Location – as with other salons, a good location in a shopping strip or shopping centre will help you to get walk-ins and regular customers.
- Products and equipment – offer a wide range of high-quality nail polishes and treatments to achieve the best results for your clients. You’ll also need professional manicure stations and pedicure chairs to provide great customer experiences.
- Staff and training – hiring skilled nail technicians and offering additional training when needed will allow your staff to provide tailored experiences to each of your clients.
- Strict hygiene protocols – learning and following best practices are essential to ensuring client safety and satisfaction, and for maintaining a professional working environment.
Offering promotions and creating a rewards program like Square Loyalty can be great ways to attract new customers and keep them coming back. You can even integrate a loyalty program into your Square Appointments to keep track of customer engagement and spending habits.
Opening in Oxley in 2013, Gold Class Nails has since expanded to 10 locations across Brisbane. With a focus on premium-quality products, exceptional customer service and industry-leading hygiene standards, this nail salon chain has attracted and maintained a dedicated following.
4. Online beauty store
An online beauty store gives you access to a global customer base while offering lower overhead costs than a brick-and-mortar store. It can also allow you to start small and scale up as you grow. Plus, as we all know, online shopping provides the ultimate convenience for customers – a store that’s open 24/7 and doesn’t require you to leave your couch.
Key considerations:
- Website – developing an attractive website with a user-friendly eCommerce platform is absolutely essential. As many people shop on mobile devices, make sure it will look good and work well on all screen sizes. You’ll also want to include high-quality photos and detailed information for all your products. Square Online is free to get started and offers a range of website themes that will suit your business concept.
- Digital marketing – as you’re operating solely in the online world, you’ll need a clear marketing strategy to drive traffic to your site. Social media, SEO and influencer partnerships can all be used to bring in customers.
- Logistics – an efficient system for managing stock will ensure you keep on top of what’s moving well and never run out of your best-sellers.
Given how many online stores are competing for customers, you’ll want to find a niche or a unique selling proposition. Whether it’s a highly curated range of products, below-market prices, or new digital technology like virtual try-ons, your store needs something to stand out. Offering a range of payment choices will encourage customers to shop with you, and providing excellent customer service, including quick shipping and hassle-free returns, will help you to find repeat shoppers.
5. Cosmetic beauty clinic
Australians are increasingly searching for more ways to look their best. As a result, cosmetic treatments provided by beauty clinics have become more popular in recent years. There is a wide range of services available, which can allow you to establish a broad customer base and a loyal following.
Key considerations:
- Regulations and licences – in order to operate legally in Australia, you’ll need to adhere to the regulations of your state or territory and ensure you’ve obtained the licences required to perform cosmetic beauty treatments.
- Training – you and your staff will need the appropriate qualifications for the procedures your clinic offers.
- Equipment – you’ll likely need to make a significant investment to get the professional equipment and products required for your services.
Building trust with clients is essential to running a successful cosmetic beauty clinic. Focus on listening to your customers’ goals and offering tailored advice and services to meet their needs. And don’t overestimate the power of warm and friendly customer service to put people at ease. Employing expertly trained staff and keeping up to date with the latest advancements in the industry will also help to ensure client satisfaction. A professional online booking system such as Square Appointments is a must.
Based in Burleigh Heads on the Gold Coast, Orèa Aesthetics offers a wide range of skin treatments and therapies performed by a team of registered nurses and skincare experts. Every appointment begins with an extended consultation, with the goal of providing the highest quality rejuvenating and restorative treatments to each client.
6. Bridal beauty services
There will always be a demand for beauty services tailored to brides wanting to look their best on their special day. These businesses can often charge premium prices for a full package of beauty services, including hair, makeup and nails. They also provide an opportunity for owners and staff to explore their creativity in devising an overall aesthetic or theme in consultation with the bride.
Key considerations:
- Portfolio – to attract and earn the trust of clients, you’ll need to develop a portfolio of work to show what you’re capable of achieving.
- Networking – building relationships with wedding planners, photographers and other professionals can help you to get referrals and find more clients.
- Appointment management and planning – given the competing conflicts and strict time frames associated with weddings, you’ll need to ensure that appointments are carefully planned and managed to meet your customers’ needs. Flexibility and reliability are essential.
To succeed as a bridal beauty business, you’ll have to tailor your services to meet the needs of each bride. Setting up a professional and relaxing workspace can help you to gain the confidence of your clients, as will showing attention to detail in the planning and preparation for the event. Lastly, keep up to date with bridal trends to ensure you can always meet customer expectations.
7. Men’s grooming and skincare
Men’s grooming is a rapidly growing industry, with a predicted global market value of $115 billion USD in 2028, up from $80 billion USD in 2022. In Australia, the market is currently worth around $750 million and is expected to grow to $1.2 billion by 2032. Men have become more invested in personal care products in recent years thanks to men’s grooming content on platforms such as TikTok and Instagram, and more brands and businesses are developing products specifically for men. Likewise, men’s grooming salons and services have also seen a spike in popularity.
Key considerations:
- Services – focus on men’s grooming services including haircuts, shaves and skincare treatments, but consider a wide range of others like waxing, tanning, massage and advanced beauty treatments.
- Research – keep up to date with current trends in order to meet your clients’ needs. In a fast-growing industry, customers will often be looking for the newest products and services.
- Branding and design – aim for a visual identity that leans into a masculine aesthetic and a space where men will feel comfortable and relaxed.
- Products – as with other salons, selling products targeted to your clients is a great way to generate extra revenue.
You’ll need to develop targeted marketing campaigns to find new clients and offer a wide range of services to build a broad customer base. By hiring staff with expertise in various aspects of men’s grooming, you can ensure your clients will turn into regular customers.
Mens Body Works in Melbourne has been in business for over 20 years and won’t be going out of style any time soon. It offers just about every beauty service you could ask for, from traditional barber cuts to LED light treatments. With a relaxed ambience and a team of experts in hairstyling, massage, and dermal and spa therapies, it’s no surprise it has a loyal following.
8. Waxing salon
Hair removal services have been popular for decades and there’s still consistent demand for waxing specialists. Like other salons, a popular waxing business will have a steady stream of revenue, as many clients want regular appointments. With more men now wanting hair removal, there’s also a broader customer base than ever.
Key considerations:
- Staff – hiring well-trained and customer-focused staff will allow you to provide the best possible experience for your clients.
- Hygiene – implement strict hygiene practices to promote the safety and comfort of your customers. You should also provide them with advice on what to do (and not to do) after their waxing service to help prevent infections.
- Products – use high-quality waxing products and equipment to ensure customer satisfaction.
Given waxing isn’t the most pleasant experience, you’ll want to prioritise the comfort and safety of your clients to earn their trust and repeat business. Creating a loyalty program is another great way to build a following of regular customers. Not only can you create promotions and reward frequent visits, you’ll also be able to track how each campaign performs.
9. Makeup artist
Starting a makeup artistry business is an opportunity to explore your creativity in the beauty industry while working in a diverse range of settings, from photo shoots to theatre productions. Many makeup artists start out as freelancers, which can offer a lot of flexibility in terms of where and when you work.
Key considerations:
- Portfolio – to attract clients, you’ll need to put together a strong portfolio of work. Social media platforms like Instagram can be a great place to show off your skills, and you’ll also want to create a website.
- Equipment – investing in good-quality makeup products and tools will help you achieve the best results for clients.
- Networking and relationships – establishing good working relationships with allied professionals like producers, photographers and art directors will help you get rehired by clients and referred to others.
To make a career out of makeup artistry, you’ll need to follow developments and trends in the industry and keep your skills up to date. Finding regular work in the creative industries can often be a challenge, so make sure you’re providing every client with your best service – be responsive to their needs and requests, deliver the results they want, and always respect appointments and agreed time frames.
10. Tanning salon
For many Australians, baking yourself in the sun or on a tanning bed has become less unappealing. Yet some people still want a bit of extra glow, and professionally applied spray tans are a popular way of achieving this. Tanning salons usually see regular business throughout the year, with many customers coming in to get a tan before special events and occasions.
Key considerations:
- Equipment and products – make sure you have the right spray tanning equipment and good-quality products to achieve professional results for your clients.
- Health and safety – although there’s no UV radiation involved in spray tanning, there are still safety risks associated with potential inhalation of the aerosols. Provide masks for your clients when requested and ensure your staff follow safety protocols for all tanning services.
- Location – to encourage walk-ins, and so your customers can easily find you, look for a street with other beauty businesses or a space in a shopping centre.
Creating a strong marketing plan can help your tanning salon stand above the crowd. Think about targeted social media posts and ads, and make sure you’ve got a professional website with a list of your services and prices, as well as an online booking function.
11. Mobile beauty services
Mobile beauty businesses offer clients salon-quality services in the comfort of their own home. Not only is this appealing to people with busy schedules and those who have difficulty travelling to a salon, it’s also an attractive business opportunity thanks to low setup and overhead costs.
Key considerations:
- Vehicle and equipment – a reliable vehicle is essential to running your business. Make sure you’ve got all the equipment you need to provide your services, and consider investing in some carry cases that are easy to move and allow you to set up and pack up without a lot of fuss.
- Scheduling – reliability will play a big part in keeping your clients happy, so plan your appointments carefully and allow enough time to travel between locations.
- Marketing – as you won’t have a shop front, you’ll need to find customers online or via referrals. A marketing plan will be a great asset here.
While a mobile beauty service is a convenient alternative to a traditional salon, it’s important to maintain a high level of professionalism in order to meet client expectations and needs. Make sure to refresh your skills regularly and keep up to date with current beauty trends. A great way to ensure a steady revenue stream is to build strong client relationships that will lead to regular appointments.
Whichever beauty idea is the right one for you, we’re here to help, and we’ve got a range of tools that will make setting up and running your business just that little bit easier.
