Piercer renting a room or chair in a studio

Walk-in and booked clients, often drawn by the host studio's existing customers, plus your own social media followers.

Piercing fees plus jewellery sales, minus your room rent or commission. Lower overheads mean you can start with fewer hours and build up.

• Safe, precise piercing technique
• Good hygiene routines
• Building a following on social media

• Registration or licensing of you and the premises with the local council, as rules vary by nation and area
• Your own public liability and treatment risk insurance, as the host's policy may not cover you
• Check the rental agreement for notice periods, hours and who handles clinical waste
• Age and consent rules for under-18s and intimate piercings, so check council guidance
• Your reputation depends on the host studio's hygiene standards, so inspect it carefully first

Estimated startup costs are typically around £2,500 to £7,000, depending on your equipment, jewellery stock, insurance, and any deposit or rent you pay up front. These are estimates, so check the real costs before you sign.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around £1,000 to £5,000, depending on how many clients you book, your prices, and whether you pay fixed rent or a share of takings. This is revenue before costs, not guaranteed.

Check council registration or licensing for you and the premises, and arrange your own insurance, as the host's policy may not cover you. Also check the rental agreement for notice, hours and clinical waste, age and consent rules, and the host's hygiene.