Start a small facial studio

Local clients wanting regular facials, people booking for events or gifts, and customers buying skincare to use at home.

Treatment fees, memberships or course packages, gift vouchers and retail skincare. Renting out a spare room to another therapist can add income.

• Recognised facial or beauty therapy qualification
• Customer service and consultation skills
• Managing bookings, stock and budgets
• Marketing through social media and local partnerships

• Check the lease terms, business rates and whether the unit has the right planning use, with your council
• Many councils require registration or a licence for some beauty treatments, check with your local council
• Public liability, treatment and product insurance, plus employer's liability if you hire staff
• Fixed costs like rent are due even in quiet months, so keep some cash back
• Check rules on cosmetic products, patch testing and storing client data

Startup costs are typically around £5,000 to £25,000, depending on the unit, how many treatment rooms you fit out and the equipment and skincare stock you buy. Treat these as estimates and price your own plan.

Monthly revenue is typically around £2,500 to £10,000, depending on how many treatments you book, your prices and any products you sell. Fixed costs like rent are due even in quiet months, so keep some cash back.

Check your lease terms, business rates and whether the unit has the right planning use. Many councils require registration or a licence for some beauty treatments, so ask yours. Also check insurance, product rules, patch testing and client data.