Beauty business ideas with a startup budget over $20,000
21 ideas
These 21 beauty ideas suit people who have real capital to invest, or can borrow it, and want a business with a proper premises, equipment and a trained team. Higher budgets open up options such as your own small beauty salon, a small skin care clinic with treatment rooms, or a laser hair removal studio.
Laser hair removal from a rented treatment room
Offer laser hair removal from a room rented in an existing salon, spa or clinic, with lower fixed costs.
- C$15k-60k
- Part-time
- Own premises
Your own laser hair removal studio
Open a small studio of your own with one or two treatment rooms and build a client base on packages.
- C$25k-80k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Your own permanent make-up studio
Run a branded cosmetic tattoo studio from your own leased unit, with room to add artists later.
- C$12k-40k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Your own neighbourhood barber shop
Lease a small storefront, fit out two or three chairs and build a loyal local clientele.
- C$25k-100k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Own small hair salon
Lease a small unit, fit it out and run your own salon with a few stylists.
- C$25k-100k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Lash salon in a rented suite or studio
Run a lash studio from a rented salon suite or small unit, with room to add lash artists.
- C$5k-25k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Foot massage studio
Open a small, relaxing studio where walk-in and booked clients pay for foot and lower-leg massage.
- C$12k-45k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Skin treatment room in a shared studio
Rent a treatment room and offer facials, peels and skin treatments, with medical oversight for anything beyond the surface.
- C$5k-25k
- Part-time
- Own premises
Tanning studio with sunbeds and spray booth
Rent a small unit and offer booked sunbed and spray tan sessions to local clients.
- C$15k-60k
- Part-time
- Own premises
Neighbourhood day spa with a small team
Open a small spa offering massage, facials and body treatments, run by you and a few qualified therapists.
- C$40k-150k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Facial spa studio
Run a small storefront or suite with treatment rooms focused on facials.
- C$15k-60k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Small nail salon with a storefront
Open a small salon with a few stations and grow a team serving walk-ins and regulars.
- C$25k-100k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Your own small beauty salon
Lease a small unit and open a salon offering hair, nails and skin treatments with a few stylists.
- C$25k-100k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Small skin care clinic with treatment rooms
Open a small clinic with one or two treatment rooms and offer a full menu of facials and skin treatments.
- C$15k-60k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Small beauty studio or rented room
Open a small studio, or rent a treatment room in a salon, and offer a full menu of facials, waxing and nails.
- C$8k-40k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Small aesthetics studio in a rented room
Rent a treatment room or small unit and offer facials, waxing and tanning to walk-in and regular clients.
- C$10k-50k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Small hair, nail and makeup training academy
Open a small training school with its own classroom and salon floor, teaching full programs to groups of paying students.
- C$25k-100k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Small barber academy with a training floor
Teach students cutting, fading and shaving in a small rented space so they can work toward qualifying as barbers.
- C$40k-150k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Body piercing studio
Open a clean, licensed studio for ear and body piercing, with quality jewellery sold alongside.
- C$12k-45k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Tattoo removal from a rented salon room
Lower your costs by renting a treatment room or chair in a salon or tattoo studio and leasing the laser.
- C$5k-25k
- Side hustle
- Own premises
Foot spa studio
Run a small studio or rented treatment room offering relaxing foot soaks and foot care.
- C$8k-30k
- Part-time
- Own premises
About these ideas
Others, like a small barber academy, add teaching to the service side. Before you choose, think about where the money actually goes: lease and fit-out, equipment, insurance and stock. Check what training, licensing or certification your province and municipality may require for the services you plan to offer, since rules differ widely. Then work out how many clients you would need each week to cover your fixed costs.
Questions
Do I need a licence to open a beauty business in Canada?
It depends on your province, your city and the services you offer. Hair, esthetics, tattooing, piercing and laser treatments are often regulated differently. Check with your provincial regulator and local municipality before you sign a lease or buy equipment.
Why do some beauty businesses cost more than C$20,000 to start?
Costs often come from premises fit-out, specialist equipment, deposits, insurance and initial stock. Treatments involving lasers, sunbeds or treatment rooms usually need more equipment and space. Get written quotes for each item and add a buffer for delays before opening.
Should I rent a suite or lease a full premises?
Renting a suite or chair can lower fixed costs and risk while you build a client base. A full premises gives more control over branding and services. Compare lease terms, who is responsible for repairs, and what your insurer and local rules may require.