Here at Skinoza Academy, we offer comprehensive training on how to start, nurture, and build your aesthetics business in line with demand – considering the importance of trends, treatment updates, ever-changing regulations, and more. But before you get to that stage, you need to get your business off the ground.
Whether you have a fully fledged plan just waiting to get started or are in the early stages of planning your aesthetic business,
this blog outlines the key steps to starting a business as an aesthetic practitioner.
1. Get the right advice
It’s not uncommon to seek advice prior to starting a business, but make sure that you are getting the right advice and guidance from experts who know the industry. Ideally you want to get insight and advice from a business owner or business manager who has worked in the aesthetics industry before – not only because they understand the challenges and opportunities, but because they can help you to ensure you have all the correct insurance and liabilities in place to protect your business.
They can also help with budgeting which often becomes a major pitfall for new business owners – outlining the investments you should absolutely make, and those which can wait until your business is established and running.
It’s worth noting that many clinics now prefer practitioners that have completed both the Dermal filler certification and Anti-wrinkle certification courses as patients are now demanding a wider variety of treatments.
2. Location
We often forget the importance of physical marketing, what with the immense power of social media and the time spent online. However, as a service provider, your local community are part and parcel of your core client base, and so you need to channel investment and focus into marketing effectively to those in your local area.
That starts with ensuring you are setting up your business in the right location – with high enough demand and a high level of visibility to potential customers. In addition to this, location also means assessing the viability and potential of the physical space you are working in. Ask yourself if it is fit for purpose, if it will support business expansion, and if it is safe and secure for both you and your clients.
3. Bring in the right staff
Additional practitioners may not be something you are focused on straight away, while you build up a client base. However, if there’s one person you do need to hire it’s a receptionist; someone who can answer the phone, respond to inquiries, address concerns, and manage bookings and treatments for the benefit of you and your clients on arrival.
4. Client experience
Client experience starts when they first encounter your business or brand and continues long after they have booked their treatment. You need to be creating a consistent experience for them through the customer journey, considering what they will see online, the kind of response they will receive on the phone or by email, the space they will be welcomed into, and the way you will communicate with them before, during, and after treatment.
The better the experience, the more likely they are to recommend you to others, and the higher the chance of them becoming a repeat customer.
5. Marketing – DIY or outsourced?
Deciding how you are going to market your business, and who is going to do it, is a key part of business growth.
You might decide to bring your marketing inhouse and do it yourself – hiring a marketing manager once your business has begun to grow and your time is increasingly booked up with treatments.
Alternatively, you could hire a marketing firm who will be able to inject their own experience and expertise into your marketing outlets and client touchpoints. While this may seem like a large expense and an investment of time as you communicate your brand values to the marketing firm, the value you get from their expertise can make it a worthy outgoing. It all depends on your goals and your personal choice.
TOP TIP: As your aesthetic clinic grows and you meet more clients, remember to use any positive reviews and testimonials as part of your marketing strategy. Word of mouth is, without a doubt, the best form of marketing for businesses like yours.
6. Never be afraid to ask for help
From advice to ongoing training and constant skills development, our aim is to ensure that business owners like you always have access to the information and advice they need in setting up and building an aesthetics business. For more information on our training programs visit our website – or head to our blog site for insights into all manner of industry news and updates, including new hair loss treatments and ever-changing regulations.