Beauty business ideas you can start for up to C$20,000
26 ideas
These 26 beauty ideas suit people with a trade skill, or the willingness to train, who want to work for themselves without taking on a full salon lease. Some keep costs low by working from a spare room, like a home-based electrolysis studio or a home hair studio.
Permanent make-up artist in a rented suite
Offer cosmetic tattooing such as brows and lips from a rented room or suite, keeping startup costs low.
- C$4k-15k
- Side hustle
- Own premises
Mobile barber who comes to you
Travel to homes, offices and care homes with a portable kit and cut hair where clients are.
- C$1.5k-6k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Rent a chair or suite as an independent stylist
Rent a chair or private suite in a shared salon and run your own client book.
- C$2k-8k
- Part-time
- Own premises
Freelance make-up artist for shoots and screen
Book day rates with photographers, brands and production crews for editorial, commercial and screen work.
- C$1.5k-6k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Eyebrow threading and shaping studio
Rent a small suite or chair and offer threading, waxing and tinting to walk-in and booked clients.
- C$3k-12k
- Part-time
- Own premises
Solo spa studio in a rented treatment room
Rent one treatment room in a wellness centre or salon and offer facials or massage as a mini day spa.
- C$5k-20k
- Part-time
- Own premises
Waxing and threading in a rented suite
Rent a small treatment room in a salon or studio and build a full waxing and threading clientele.
- C$2.5k-9k
- Part-time
- Own premises
Home facial studio
Offer facials by appointment from a dedicated treatment room at home.
- C$3k-12k
- Side hustle
- From home
Hot stone treatment room
Rent a small treatment room and offer hot stone massages by appointment in a calm, spa-style space.
- C$4k-15k
- Part-time
- Own premises
Home beauty studio
Offer nails, lashes, facials or hair by appointment from a dedicated room in your home.
- C$1.5k-7k
- Side hustle
- From home
Rent a chair or suite in a salon
Run your own client list from a rented chair or suite in an existing salon, without fitting out a shop.
- C$2k-8k
- Part-time
- Own premises
Home hair studio
Set up a private styling chair at home and see regular clients by appointment.
- C$1.5k-6k
- Side hustle
- From home
Home-based facial and skin treatment studio
Offer facials and skin treatments by appointment from a dedicated treatment room at home.
- C$3k-10k
- Side hustle
- From home
Home-based facials and waxing studio
Offer facials, waxing and skin treatments by appointment from a spare room at home.
- C$3k-12k
- Side hustle
- From home
Mobile beauty treatments at clients' homes
Travel to clients for waxing, facials and brow treatments, plus events and parties.
- C$2.5k-9k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Makeup and nail short-course workshops
Teach small groups weekend courses in makeup or nails in a rented studio, and keep costs low while you test demand.
- C$1.5k-6k
- Side hustle
- Own premises
Private hair replacement studio
Fit, cut and maintain custom hair systems for people with hair loss, in a quiet private room.
- C$5k-20k
- Part-time
- Own premises
Mobile hair replacement fitter
Visit clients at home to fit and maintain hair systems, ideal for people who want complete privacy.
- C$2k-8k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Ear piercing studio space
Rent a small room or chair in a salon or boutique and pierce ears with sterile single-use equipment.
- C$2k-8k
- Part-time
- Own premises
Mobile hair extension stylist
Travel to clients' homes and event venues to fit and maintain extensions.
- C$1.5k-6k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Barber skills short courses and workshops
Run weekend and evening classes in fades, beard work and shop skills for beginners and working barbers.
- C$3k-15k
- Side hustle
- Own premises
Loctician in a rented salon suite
Rent a suite or chair in a shared salon and build a full-time loc clientele.
- C$2k-8k
- Part-time
- Own premises
Waxing studio in a rented room
Rent a treatment room or suite and wax regular clients by appointment.
- C$3k-10k
- Part-time
- Own premises
Piercer in a rented room or chair
Rent a licensed room or booth in a tattoo shop or salon and run your own piercing business with lower costs.
- C$4k-15k
- Side hustle
- Own premises
About these ideas
Others go to the client, such as a mobile barber who comes to you. If you prefer to share premises, rent a chair or suite in a salon is another route. Before comparing ideas, check what licence or certification your province expects for the service you want to offer. Then think about insurance, hygiene standards, and whether your home or rented space is suitable. Finally, work out how many regular clients you need to cover your costs and pay yourself.
More ideas
Questions
Do I need a licence to start a beauty business in Canada?
It depends on the service and the province or territory. Hairstyling, esthetics and electrolysis may involve training, certification or registration. Check with your provincial regulator and your municipality before you buy equipment or take bookings.
Can I run a beauty business from home?
Often it's possible, but check your local zoning or home-business bylaws, your lease or condo rules, and your home insurance. Some services also have health and sanitation requirements for the treatment space, so confirm these before you set up.
Is renting a chair or room cheaper than opening my own salon?
Renting usually means lower upfront costs and no full lease, but you still pay regular rent and supply your own clients. Check what the rental agreement covers, whether you need your own insurance, and how your self-employed status is treated for tax.