In Germany you don't need any specific training to open a nail salon. However, since the market is highly competitive and you work directly with people, it is important that you rely on high quality and can comply with hygiene regulations. It pays to have relevant experience in nail design - ideally you have worked as an employee in a studio for a while and have been able to gain an insight into the processes. Training to become a state-recognized beautician forms a sound basis on which you can build. The Chamber of Crafts also offers further training to become a “certified nail designer” – these can, for example, be an opportunity for trained hairdressers to professionally expand their range of services. Corresponding training certificates give you and your nail salon a professional appearance.

Opening a nail salon: Expert Stefanie reveals the basic requirements

Who finds it easy to open a studio and which character traits can be helpful to successfully run a nail salon? Nail designer Stefanie explains it to you in our interview:

ND24: Which 3 character traits are particularly in demand when opening a nail salon?
Nail designer Stefanie: I think a friendly and open manner is particularly important when dealing with customers. I also think flexibility and adaptability are helpful qualities - opening hours should not be rigid and of course you should always respond to customer requests. Last but not least, running a successful nail salon requires a fair amount of discipline.
ND24: The right way of working – what is important?
Nail designer Stefanie: The customer is the focus, which is why I attach particular importance to a customer-oriented way of working. An atmosphere in which everyone feels comfortable and an open ear for concerns and needs are important cornerstones of my work. If you want to open a nail salon, you have to really enjoy working with people. A reliable and conscientious way of working is essential.
ND24: How important is experience when opening a nail salon?
Nail designer Stefanie: A nail designer should know her craft, have a lot of experience and have a certain routine - a weekend seminar is usually not enough for a successful nail salon. There are too many potential difficulties that need to be solved and that can trip up the inexperienced.

The right location for your nail salon

An important factor for the successful start of your nail salon is the location. Choose a place where a lot of people pass by: in a shopping arcade, near a supermarket or in the pedestrian zone - this is where you will find more walk-in customers. Smaller places can be a suitable location even without walk-in customers - here you can build a good reputation and rely on recommendations and the loyalty of your customers. It is also important that the density of nail salons in this area is not too high so as not to increase the competitive pressure unnecessarily. Good accessibility is also important for your customers: public transport should be nearby and parking options should also be available so that your customers can find their way to you easily and conveniently.
• Rely on walk-in customers
• No other nail salons in the immediate area
• Accessibility for customers

Set up a nail salon – nail designer Stefanie shares her experience with you

Let your soul unwind and do something good for yourself - in addition to the service of getting your nails done, a nail salon also offers a little time out to relax. “The first impression counts!” - the furnishings should be chosen accordingly and ensure a calm, feel-good atmosphere, explains nail designer Stefanie. Attractive lighting and natural light through larger window fronts contribute to a pleasant feeling of space. Your nail salon should be practical and comfortable for you and your customers and match your offerings, recommends Stefanie. If you want to offer other treatments, such as massages, in addition to the classic nail service, you should definitely have a separate room available for this - for a quiet atmosphere and to keep dust away from the nails, the expert recommends.

Business premises: requirements for a nail salon

In order to draw customers' attention to you, it is essential that you clearly identify the premises of your nail salon with lettering and signs, recommends nail designer Stefanie. You should also consider whether you should opt for barrier-free business premises - this will enable every group of people to reach you, adds the expert. Anyone who runs a nail salon commercially must have a customer toilet where customers can wash their hands. It is also necessary to have an area for cleaning and disinfecting tools that is appropriately equipped. The trade inspection office can inspect your nail salon's business premises at any time without prior notice. You can find out which requirements you have to meet from the responsible office in your federal state. If you operate in a room in your rented apartment, you need your landlord's permission to operate your business there.

Furnishing nail salon: What shouldn't be missing?

For comfortable work, safety and the satisfaction of your customers, you should use high-quality equipment in your nail salon business premises. The right tools and the right disinfection options make your work easier. The good equipment includes, among other things, back-friendly ergonomic seating for you and comfortable chairs for your customer. For professional work, a high-quality work table with extraction is recommended. Many nail salons also offer a comfortable sofa where customers can wait for their appointment. Do you have any documents or certificates? Then hang them attractively framed in a place where your customers can see them. Your price overview should also be easy to read.

5 expert tips for your product range: Minimalism ensures quality

“Only offer what you can” is nail designer Stefanie’s motto. If you only offer services in which you feel confident and have experience, you can convince your customers with expertise and quality - this is ultimately the basis for long-term customer loyalty. The product range should be put together to match the services offered. Here too, expert Stefanie advises minimalism: choose one or two companies that you enjoy working with and use the products in a line that complement each other. These products are usually easier to work with and are generally more durable than a hodgepodge where the ingredients don't complement each other optimally.

When it comes to a variety of colors, nail designer Stefanie also relies on a tried-and-tested, high-quality and clear range that doesn't make the decision too difficult for customers. Over time, you'll find out what your customers like to wear and adapt your offerings accordingly. Less is more, you can upgrade and expand your range at any time.
1. Only offer what you can
2. Impress with expertise & quality
3. Test companies and product lines
4. Decide on one or two manufacturers
5. Color palette: Create a high-quality and clear offering

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Register & plan: Open a nail salon

Opening a nail salon requires thoughtful planning and financing. There are various loan options available from banks or private individuals, but government funding can also be used. You should honestly list costs for rent, materials, employees, advertising and your own living expenses in order to get an overview. It is important to think about the right insurance: you can accidentally injure someone while doing your work or damage property - this is where business liability insurance can help you. Contents insurance is suitable for insuring your inventory. For optimal protection in a legal dispute, you can also take out commercial legal protection insurance.

Hire employees, work alone or open a mobile nail salon?

Nail designer Stefanie tells you the advantages and disadvantages if you want to open a studio on your own, hire employees or run a mobile nail salon.

ND24: Running a nail salon alone – is that possible?
Nail designer Stefanie: Of course you can run a nail salon on your own. You then have maximum flexibility and don't have to conform to anyone. You set your own processes and are your own boss. However, if you are absent due to illness or vacation, you have no one to replace you. During the treatment you also have to answer phone calls, issue vouchers and much more - so it can be stressful.
ND24: Hiring employees in a nail salon – always a good idea?
Nail designer Stefanie: Before you hire employees in your nail salon, you should honestly put your finances from the last few months on the table and calculate whether you really have enough income. An employee not only costs their wages - you also have to pay health insurance contributions, insurance and much more. You will then have someone to represent you when you are not working yourself.
ND24: What are the advantages and disadvantages of a mobile nail salon?
Nail designer Stefanie: The advantages are obvious, because you don't need any inventory, you don't have to pay rent and you can respond flexibly to all your customers. However, you don't have any walk-in customers, so you rely on recommendations and advertising. You also don't necessarily have a comfortable workplace everywhere and it is difficult to comply with hygiene regulations. You will also need a driving license and a car to transport your work materials - you will incur costs here.

Nail salon: register your business correctly

In order to open a nail salon or work as a mobile nail designer, you need to register a business and register the chosen legal form with the relevant trade office. What the exact registration process looks like and what costs you will incur varies from state to state. If your registration is successful, the trade office will contact the tax office. You will then receive your tax number from this. You will receive an entry in the commercial register via the local court. You will also be registered with the professional association - depending on the range of services and regulations of the respective federal state, it may be mandatory to join the local chamber of crafts. To register your business, you must describe your activity in detail and present your identity card. Then you will receive a business license - this letter constitutes your authorization to practice your profession independently. If you are self-employed, you must take out private or statutory health insurance!

Follow hygiene rules in your own nail salon

“Hygiene is the be-all and end-all” - for the health of your customers and yourself, it is important that you deal with the topic of hygiene in the nail salon, recommends nail designer Stefanie. Find out about your state's hygiene regulations, which list the measures to prevent communicable diseases. Observing hygiene rules and preventative measures, such as wearing gloves, should be a given when working in the studio - every day. A hygiene plan can help you develop routines from the start to meet hygiene standards. The health department can carry out unannounced checks in your nail salon at any time to check whether you are adhering to the hygiene regulations. Reusing disposable products, not cleaning the workplace or not disinfecting instruments are, for example, no-gos that require a follow-up inspection and, in the worst case, can lead to the closure of a studio.
• Observe hygiene regulations
• Take preventative measures
• Create and adhere to a hygiene plan

Mistakes and hidden costs when opening a nail salon

When opening a nail salon, there are a number of pitfalls that entrepreneurs face. In an interview, nail designer Stefanie reveals some of the difficulties that you can expect:

ND24: What do most new nail salon founders underestimate?
Nail designer Stefanie: Many nail designers are not previously aware of how extensive the financial planning and accounting are. The cash register system must also be properly structured and all accounting aspects maintained.
ND24: Which topic causes dissatisfaction among customers?
Nail designer Stefanie: Reliability is an important aspect - the opening times should always be up to date on the website, on Facebook or on the studio notice board. Anyone who is going on vacation should inform their customers in good time and, for example, put up a notice. The answering machine should also always be up-to-date and have all important information available for customers. Anyone who makes appointments should definitely keep them.
ND24: How do I deal with problems making appointments?
Nail designer Stefanie: Even with the best planning, short-term cancellations can lead to gaps in the schedule. Unfortunately, these cannot always be avoided - if customers cancel, this treatment is initially canceled. I have a waiting list of customers who would like an appointment and then call them to offer them the vacant space. Of course, short-term cancellations make this particularly difficult - this can lead to annoying cancellations.
ND24: Where are planning errors lurking when opening a nail salon?
Nail designer Stefanie: Wrongly estimating the number of customers can have many consequences - either you are working understaffed when demand is too high or there are too many employees and not enough customers. Both can have a negative impact on the financial situation.
ND24: What hidden costs await nail designers?
Nail designer Stefanie: Nail designer Stefanie: Equipment, products, furnishings and subscriptions are usually paid off monthly - this can add up to high costs that are difficult to pay off. The wrong or too much material that ultimately is not used can also become a hidden cost factor - less is more, especially at the beginning.

New nail salon opening: attract and keep customers

You have completed all the planning and formalities, now it's time for you to acquire customers: turning first-time customers into satisfied regular customers and drawing the attention of new customers to you - these are your goals after opening your nail design studio. A friendly and personable demeanor, politeness and reliability are important foundations for satisfied customers. High-quality advertising can also bring customers to your nail salon. Word of mouth, i.e. recommendations from customers, is an advertising factor that should not be underestimated - this is another reason why you should definitely pay attention to impeccable customer service. To stand out from the crowd, you should offer something special - special trends or techniques are just as much a unique selling point as additional services.

Good customer service in the nail salon: nail designer Stefanie in an interview

A beautiful ambience in which you feel comfortable is the basis for satisfied customers in the nail salon, explains nail design expert Stefanie. Customers come to the studio to relax and leave everyday life behind them - they expect professional advice and impeccable customer service. Nail designer Stefanie answers questions about customer service:

ND24: What opening times are optimal for good customer service?
Nail designer Stefanie: If you work different shifts or have a family to look after and still want to have beautiful nails, you need a nail salon with flexible opening hours. That's why I think it's important that you base your opening hours on the needs of your customers and offer very early or late appointments at least on a few days a week.
ND24: How do I properly welcome customers in the nail salon?
Nail designer Stefanie: For me, the greeting in the nail salon is actually an important factor - those who score points here can usually be happy about satisfied customers. Of course, I always put on a genuine smile and try to greet every customer by name. No matter how stressful everything is and whether the phone rings or not - I always try to give my customers the feeling that I take time for them. People want to be seen.
ND24: Scheduling appointments in the nail salon – what to do if there are waiting times?
Nail designer Stefanie: In order to work economically, appointments in nail salons are often scheduled closely. Nevertheless, you should make a realistic assessment of your own possibilities - when working with people, it can always take a little longer than planned. If there are waiting times despite good planning, it can be helpful to give the customers the color palette and offer them a drink so that they can get an overview.

Top 10 tips for good customer service

A professional appearance, high-quality equipment and good quality of work and products used are the basis for long-term customer loyalty. An attractive ambience, with furniture that is both functional and offers customers convenience, is an important aspect when opening a nail salon. A hygienically perfect facility for clean work and elegant nail design as well as a well-groomed appearance of the studio and nail designer are a given. Take time for your customer, work in a structured manner and be well organized when making appointments - long waiting times or other organizational chaos otherwise make a bad impression on customers. Free magazines, drinks or snacks crown good customer service. And beware of gossip: Never talk badly to a customer about other customers or have private conversations that are too intimate, but rather address harmless current events.
1. Professional, well-groomed appearance
2. Use the right equipment
3. Use high quality products
4. Deliver good quality nail design
5. Convenience for the customer
6. Observe hygiene rules
7. Organize appointments well
8. Keep waiting times short
9. Free magazines, drinks or snacks
10. Don't get too personal

Nail salon: 3 insider tips from expert Stefanie for satisfied customers

To make your customers happy, you can think about what you would want for yourself. I have found that most customers are very happy when new magazines and periodicals are regularly offered that can be read while waiting on a comfortable sofa - magazine subscriptions are particularly suitable here because they simply come into the house on a regular basis and you doesn't have to worry about it yourself. My customers also love it when small treats and drinks are offered for free. It's best to pay a little attention to the season: cool drinks in summer, hot chocolate or Christmas cookies in winter.
• Current, changing journals and magazines
• Treats and small gifts (seasonal)
• Cold and warm drinks

5 advertising ideas for your nail salon

Flyer, ad in the newspaper, Facebook, website or Instagram? You have the choice and can spread your advertising via traditional channels, such as an ad in the newspaper, as well as on social networks. Get inspired by existing accounts with attractive nail art and share your art with your customers. For recognition value, it is helpful to decide on a corporate design - i.e. to decide on a certain style and/or certain colors that can be found in the furnishings, but also on your website, the logo or flyers. Of course, you can get inspiration at trade fairs, for example, but in order to find a unique selling point, you should decide on your individual style, advises nail designer Stefanie. To generate new customers and retain existing customers, you can offer vouchers or give discounts - for example discounts for refills or the initial creation of a nail model.
1. Use classic media (newspaper, magazines & flyers)
2. Post pictures on social networks
3. Choose corporate design
4. Focus on recognition value
5. Offer vouchers & discounts

This text is for your initial information only and does not replace expert start-up advice or legal advice!