How to Start a Hair Braiding Business at Home: Practical Tips

If you have the right skills, starting a hair braiding business from home can be lucrative. But as with all businesses, you’ll need to do some research and lay the groundwork before opening your doors to the public. If you want to learn how to start a hair braiding business at home, you are in the right place.

Key Points:

• When you start braiding hair from home, you can keep your startup costs to a minimum. 
• If you start accepting new clients, you’ll need to be comfortable allowing strangers into your home salon. 
• You can use your home salon as a starting point as you build up your client list. 

Step One: Investigate the Legality of a Home Hair Braiding Business

Start by researching the legal side of a home hair braiding business. Before you start bringing in clients, you need to know if you have that legal right.

• Permitting: In some cities and states, you’ll need a permit to operate a home salon. 
• Zoning: Some areas of your city might place zoning restrictions on home businesses. 
• Homeowners association rules: Many HOAs have rules that restrict you from starting a home business of any kind.

If you aren’t sure about the legality of your new business, consider paying a local attorney for a consultation. 

Step Two: Make Sure You Have the Required Credentials

In some states, you’ll need to take a course to become a licensed braider. Many potential clients will want to see these credentials before trusting you with their hair.

• Why do you need these credentials? In some states, you need these credentials to operate legally as a hair braider. 
• What to expect: Within these licensing courses, you will likely learn about proper sanitation, sterilization, scalp disorders, and more. 

Step Three: Calculate the Cost of Starting Your Home-Based Braiding Business

While you are working from home, you’ll still have business costs of your salon. Make sure to add these up before jumping in.

• Dedicated space: Although you likely won’t pay yourself rent for a space in your home, you should set up a dedicated space. Comfortable furniture can make a difference for your clients. 
• Tools: You’ll need to purchase the tools and equipment required for braiding hair. 
• Software: Even if you are starting from your home, paying for a premium software can help you manage your fledgling business more effectively. 

Step Four: Create a Business Plan for Your Home-Based Hair Braiding Venture

A business plan acts like a roadmap to success. Don’t forget to carve out time to create one for your business.

• Why it matters: Everyone has their own vision of success for their business. You can highlight your version in a business plan. 
• Work through problems: Every business owner faces challenges. Writing down a business plan gives you an opportunity to find solutions upfront. 
• Need help? Learn more about writing a business plan with FinImpact. If you need some inspiration, check out a free template

"Chase the vision, not the money, the money will end up following you." — Tony Hsieh

Step Five: Create an Appropriate Workspace

You are bringing clients into your home. But you should do more than plop them down at your kitchen table.

• Comfort: Make a comfortable space for your clients to enjoy during the process. If possible, set aside a space in your home with minimal distractions. 
• Regulations: If your state has rules about braiding hair, confirm the space meets those regulations. Even without regulations in place, choose to create a sanitary space for your clients. 

"It's not about ideas. It's about making ideas happen." — Scott Belsky

Step Six: Obtain the Necessary Permits, Licenses, and Insurance

Every business owner faces paperwork. When starting a hair braiding business at home, you’ll need to get everything in order.

• Licenses and permits: In some locations, you’ll need to get licenses and permits to legally operate your business.
• Insurance: If operating a business from your home, you should consider upgrading your home insurance policy. Make sure you are covered in the event that someone gets hurt on your property. 
• Loans: If you need a loan to get up and running, consider these beauty salon loan options. 

Step Seven: Acquire the Equipment, Tools, and Supplies You Need

The right equipment and tools can make all the difference in your clients’ experience. Here’s a look at some of the things you might need to acquire:

• Hair wash station
• Chair
• Sanitizers
• Hair capes
• Towels
• Cleaning supplies
• Washer
• Scissors
• Blow dryer
• Brushes
• Razors
• Combs

If some of the equipment is out of your price range, consider salon equipment financing. 

Step Eight: Select the Braiding Services You’ll Offer and Prepare a Price List

In the world of hair braiding, you can offer a wide range of services. Decide what kind of braiding services you will offer clients.

• Set the list: Write down what types of braids are available, and make them visible to your clients. 
• Set the prices: It’s critical to set your prices before opening the business. Set a realistic price that works for you. If possible, stick to this price list for all clients. 
• Adjust as needed: As you get rolling, you’ll notice trends and client preferences. Don’t be afraid to make adjustments to your prices and braids offered along the way. 

Step Nine: Open Your Home-Based Braiding Salon for Business

With all of your ducks in a row, it’s time to open your doors.

• Word of mouth: Spread the word to your network about your new business. 
• Use social media: With the right following, you let people in your area know about this new business. 
• Make a website: A simple website with services offered, a price list, and a booking feature can go a long way. 

Step Ten: Build a Portfolio (And Your Reputation)

As you start to see clients, ask to take pictures of their finalized braids. You can use these pictures to grow your portfolio.

• Share your portfolio online: When people love your work, they’ll find a way to your home business. 
• Reputation matters: Customers want the best braiding experience in town. If your portfolio shows high-end results, the customers will likely follow. 

Pros and Cons of Starting a Hair Braiding Business at Home

Every prospective business owner should weigh the advantages and disadvantages. Here’s what to consider about a hair braiding business at home.

"The most successful entrepreneurs I know are optimistic. It's part of the job description." — Caterina Fake

Pros of Starting a Hair Braiding Business at Home

• Low Start-Up Costs
• Convenience
• Personalized Experience
• Work-Life Balance

Cons of Starting a Hair Braiding Business at Home

• Legal Regulations
• Space Limitations
• Distractions
• Limited Growth Potential

Additional Tips for Starting a Successful Hair Braiding Business at Home

The right strategy can make all the difference in your hair braiding success. Here are some tips to consider. 

Go to Hair Braiding School 

• Build skills: You can walk away from hair braiding school with the skills you need to make wonderful braids. 
• Build trust: The right credentials allows potential clients to trust you upfront. 

Plan Your Business in Advance

• Make a business plan: A business plan serves as a document to follow for success. Use it to think through problems on paper. 
• Consider the future: Determine the end goal for your business. Do you want to stay at your house forever or open a permanent salon? There is no right answer. But it’s important to understand your goals. 

Create a Strong Brand

• Make an impression: You want clients to immediately think of you when they need braids. 
• Use branding to stand out: Set yourself apart from the crowd with branding that stands out. 

Make Use of Social Media Marketing

• Social media matters: Build a social media presence that highlights your braiding skills. 
• Consider ads: You can run paid ads on social media to get the word out about your services. 

Offer Competitive Pricing

• Consider the competition: Clients might not be willing to give you a try if your services are double the cost of your competitors. 
• Set realistic prices: You want to set prices that adequately compensate you for your services. But don’t give your potential clients sticker shock. Research the competition to see where prices fall in your town. 

Stay Updated on Industry Trends

• Offer on-trend solutions: With the changing nature of the hair industry, you can stay on top of trends to outpace your competition. 
• Stand out: Not every salon in town will be up to date with braiding trends. If you are on the forefront of the trends, some clients will seek out your services. 

Provide Excellent Customer Service

• The customer experience matters: Make your customers feel special throughout the entire process. 
• Be personable: Your clients may spend many hours in your home salon. Ensure they have a good time.

Pricing Strategies for Your Home Hair Braiding Services

The right price can get customers through the door.

• Offer new customer discounts: If someone is willing to give you a try, offer them a discount. When you provide an excellent experience, they’ll likely come back. 
• Sell merchandise: You can sell hair products that will help your clients enjoy their braids for longer. 

How to Build a Strong Client Base for Your Home-Based Hair Braiding Business

As with every business, your client base matters for a home-based braiding business.

• Provide an enjoyable experience: Make your home salon an enjoyable place for your client to spend time in during the hair braiding process. 
• Be flexible: Consider offering your service at a wide range of times. For example, you might accommodate more customers if you are willing to work on the weekends or evenings. 
• Build loyalty: Treat your customers right with perks for loyalty. For example, you might provide a free product after a set number of braiding sessions. 

Scaling Your Home Hair Braiding Business: Challenges and Opportunities

Scaling your home braiding business is an exciting possibility. But there are some challenges and opportunities to consider along the way. Focus on these elements as you move forward:

• Managing your resources effectively: You might not be a one-person business forever. As you grow, consider hiring additional staff, finding new suppliers, or outsourcing some tasks to free up your time for more important activities.
• Maintaining Quality: The quality of your hair braiding must remain top-notch for your customers to keep coming back. 
• Expanding Your Services: Consider offering additional beauty treatments to your clients along the way. Investing in your skills or hiring skilled employees can help you grow. 
• Staying competitive: Stay on top of what the competition is doing. As you grow, you might need to offer more services to stay competitive. 
• Tracking and evaluating your progress: Building a business is a long-term goal. Along the way, track your progress to celebrate milestones and motivate you for future success.