In this article, we will discuss the need-to-knows of starting your eyelash extension business and how to do it.

I want to cover the basics for you that include what you need to be able to operate, as well as legalities and licensing.

My name is Erica and I started my eyelash extension business in 2014. I want to share with you what I did and what you need to do to get your business started!

These are some of the things we will be covering in this article:

1. Licensing

2. Business Plan

3. LLC vs IC

4. Taxes

5. Bank accounts

6. Insurance

7. Place of work, Supplies, and Savings

8. Online Presence

As you may notice, nothing from the list above was likely covered in your beauty school. So let’s get right into first.

First, who can perform eyelash extensions? Every state and country is different. In Canada, no license is needed, whereas in the USA, most states require a beauty license to perform eyelash extensions. I am located in Arizona, and in this state, you are required to have an Esthetician or Cosmetology License to perform eyelash extensions. However, lashes aren’t taught in most schools, so this is a skill you would need to learn after you have been licensed by taking a class.

Licensing for Eyelash Extensions

Step one (in Arizona): Obtain your Esthetician or Cosmetology License through your State Board of Cosmetology. If you are unsure of what your state requires, call the State Board of Cosmetology nearest to you and ask, or perform a simple online search.

The rest of the steps fall in no particular order, each one is important.

Writing up Your Lash Business Plan

The next thing I recommend is writing up a Business Plan. You can get a book on this, or do an online search for templates and simply fill this out for your business. Many people do not do this, as it isn’t required, but I would highly recommend it.

The reason I recommend a business plan is because many templates include things that you may not have thought of, such as how will you obtain clients, what will your monthly budget be, how to scale and grow, what is the purpose of this business, what sets you apart from competitors, what is your profit margin, what are your financial and quarterly goals, etc.

A solid business plan will take some time and serious thought to write out, as it should. This is not a step to skip. A goal is achieved twice: once in the mind, and once in the physical reality.

It is essential that you have a well thought out vision of your business before jumping in. You can absolutely be successful without first having a vision, but people who have clear visions have a road map to follow and a reminder of why they began when they begin to fall off course.

If you aren’t sure what your vision for your eyelash business is yet, that’s ok! Begin writing your business plan, and let the vision come to you, and build on it. Your business plan is a living document, which means it can grow, change, and evolve with time, just like you!

Trademark Your Beauty Business Name

The reason trademarks are important is because you need to build your brand and your business with your business name. If there are 10 Simply Lashes in Arizona, how would anyone be able to keep track of who is who?

First you want to go to your state’s Secretary of State (for Arizona) or look up who handles Business Trademark Names in your state and do a search to see if your name has already been taken.

If the name has not been taken, you can apply for your trademark which is usually less than $30 and lasts around 5 years, at which time you can let it go or renew it.

Once you have secured your business name, this means that no one else can use your business name.

Should I be an LLC or IC?

This question is common, and I recommend getting your LLC.

An LLC is a Limited Liability Company. The benefit to this is that it protects your personal legal liability if a client or someone else was to sue you.

As an Independent Contractor, you are essentially doing contract work and are not protected from personal liability.

To get your LLC, you DO NOT need to hire a law firm or legal company to get yours! You can do this YOURSELF, VERY inexpensively online. In Arizona, you need to head over to the Arizona Corporate Commission to get yours. The website for Arizona is ecorp.azcc.gov

I also recommend using your Accountant to help answer questions regarding your LLC.

If you hire someone to do this, they typically charge between $150 and $400 to file for you. The cost to do this yourself is only $50. You got this! If you are coming from another state and already have an LLC, the cost is $150.

You can also head over to howtostartanllc.com for more advice on this specific topic!

Taxes

Ahhh… How we beauty professionals just love taxes. Not. Okay, for this portion I First recommend getting a business bank account for your eyelash extension business. Everything business related should happen in this account (deposits, payments from clients, expenses, products, supplies, licensing, insurance, rent, etc).

The next step I recommend is to hire an accountant. This person will help you a TON in saving money and getting the best return possible for your taxes. Do not attempt to do your small business taxes on your own. I want to repeat this: HIRE AN ACCOUNTANT. A great accountant is worth cent as far as taxes are concerned.

They can also assist you in compensation for things like gas mileage, your car repairs if you use that for traveling for work, any business trips, meals with clients, any area in your home that is designated for business, etc. Please don’t do this on your own. They are the experts, let them help you!

If you are in Arizona, I highly recommend using www.shieldfinancialaz.com

Her name is also Erica, and she has helped me tremendously with my business finances.

Do I Need Beauty Insurance?

The short answer is yes. If you injure a client, you will want to be protected. I am sure many of you heard about the recent event where a lash artist’s dog jumped onto the table and bit off the client’s eyelid? Well… this is a case where you would hope the lash artist has insurance.

If a product you use causes a reaction on a client, you will want insurance. If a client slips and falls and breaks her ankle because she tripped on a cord in your lash room…. You will want insurance.

The likelihood of having something happen is low, but with all insurance, you are always grateful for it when you need it!

I recommend ASCP (Associated Skin Care Professionals). They also offer additional property insurance to protect your space in case of theft or fire.

Where will I work? What do I need? What do I need to have saved up?

Obviously when you begin your business, you need a place to work. I wrote a whole blog on this that you can find in my other ones under “What does it cost to start my eyelash extension business?”

CLIENTS! TRAFFIC! AUDIENCE!

You lucky lash artist, you! You are in an age of the digital marketer! This means that you can reach tens to hundreds to thousands of people online in a single post!

Where do you start? Start with where you are. Ensure you have an online presence and that it is clear what you do and what your business is. Show your work, your face, and your space often online. Begin genuine conversations with people. Talk to your potential clients. Get to know your neighboring businesses and people! This is how you build that business!

Until next time!

XO,

Erica

PS- hey! Want to get faster at lashing, today?! CLICK HERE for my top tips and tricks to getting faster at lashing immediately!