Beauty business ideas you can start for up to $20,000
36 ideas
A budget of up to $20,000 is enough to start many beauty businesses without taking on a large lease or a full salon build-out. These 36 ideas range from low-overhead mobile work, such as a mobile foot soak service or mobile facials, waxing and spray tans, to a solo studio such as a loctician salon suite or a rented-suite facial practice.
Solo brow studio in a rented salon suite
Rent a small private suite and book clients for brow shaping, threading, waxing and tinting.
- $2k-8k
- Part-time
- Own premises
Solo stylist in a rented salon suite
Rent your own private suite and run your own hair business, setting your own prices, hours and client list.
- $2k-8k
- Part-time
- Own premises
Lash extension studio in a rented suite
Rent a small suite or salon space and book clients for lash extensions, fills and lash lifts.
- $3k-12k
- Part-time
- Own premises
Mobile lash artist
Travel to clients' homes, offices and event venues to apply lash extensions with a portable kit.
- $1.5k-6k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Independent hairstylist in a rented chair or suite
Rent a chair or private suite and run your own client book, prices and schedule.
- $1.5k-7k
- Part-time
- Own premises
Home hair studio
Turn a spare room or garage into a private hair studio with low overhead and regular clients.
- $2k-8k
- Side hustle
- From home
Rent a chair or suite and run your own beauty business
Rent a chair or private suite in a salon building and serve your own hair, nail or skin clients.
- $1.5k-6k
- Part-time
- Own premises
Loctician salon suite
Rent a private salon suite and run a full-time loc studio with a steady client base.
- $3k-12k
- Part-time
- Own premises
Makeup artistry classes and short courses
Teach makeup skills in small group classes and short courses using rented studio or salon space.
- $1.5k-7k
- Side hustle
- Own premises
Home-based hair extension studio
Fit and maintain hair extensions for clients by appointment in a private room at home.
- $1.5k-6k
- Side hustle
- From home
Hair extension specialist in a rented suite
Rent a salon suite or chair and build a client base as a dedicated extension specialist.
- $3k-12k
- Part-time
- Own premises
Esthetician facial studio in a rented room
Rent a treatment room in a salon suite and offer facials and skin treatments by appointment.
- $3k-15k
- Part-time
- Own premises
Mobile facial and skin care service
Bring a portable facial setup to clients' homes, offices and events.
- $1.5k-6k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Permanent makeup artist in a rented salon suite
Offer eyebrow, lip and eyeliner cosmetic tattooing from a rented suite or room in an existing salon.
- $4k-15k
- Part-time
- Own premises
Hot stone massage studio
Rent a treatment room or small suite and offer hot stone massage by appointment.
- $4k-20k
- Part-time
- Own premises
Mobile foot massage service
Bring foot and lower-leg massage to offices, events and homes with a portable chair and kit.
- $1.5k-6k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Esthetics studio in a rented salon suite
Rent a private suite and offer facials, waxing and skin treatments to regular clients.
- $5k-20k
- Part-time
- Own premises
Mobile facials, waxing and spray tans
Bring facials, waxing and spray tanning to clients' homes, parties and weddings.
- $2k-8k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Home esthetics room for facials and waxing
Turn a spare room into a small treatment space for facials and waxing by appointment.
- $1.5k-7k
- Side hustle
- From home
Teeth whitening studio in a rented suite
Run a small whitening studio from a rented salon suite or spa room, by appointment.
- $4k-18k
- Part-time
- Own premises
Solo facial studio in a rented suite
Rent a small private suite and offer facials by appointment to build a loyal client base.
- $3k-12k
- Part-time
- Own premises
Home facial studio
Turn a spare room into a quiet treatment space and offer facials to local clients.
- $2k-7k
- Side hustle
- From home
Aromatherapy treatment room or home studio
See clients in a rented treatment room or a home studio for calming aromatherapy massage sessions.
- $2k-8k
- Part-time
- Own premises
Home beauty studio: facials, waxing and nails
Treat regular clients in a spare room set up as a calm, private treatment space.
- $1.5k-6k
- Side hustle
- From home
About these ideas
They suit people who already have some training or are willing to get it, and who like working one-on-one with clients. Before you pick one, check which license your state requires for the service you want to offer, whether your chosen space or home can be used for client work, and what insurance you will need. Then compare how much you would spend on equipment, supplies and rent against how many clients you could realistically book each week.
More ideas
- Mobile beauty therapist for homes and events
- Beauty treatments from a rented salon suite
- Spray tan studio in a rented suite
- Home waxing and threading studio
- Mobile foot soak service
- Piercer renting a room in a tattoo shop or salon
- Private hair replacement studio
- Mobile hair system fitting and care
- Waxing studio in a rented suite
- Ear piercing studio in a rented room or booth
- Home-based electrolysis studio
- Electrolysis in a rented suite or room
Questions
Do I need a license to start a beauty business in the US?
Often yes, but it depends on your state and the service. Hair, skin, nails, waxing and electrolysis can each have different rules. Check with your state cosmetology or licensing board before buying equipment or taking clients.
Is a rented salon suite or a mobile service cheaper to start?
Mobile services usually need less upfront money because you skip rent, but you may pay for a vehicle, travel time and portable gear. A suite adds a regular rental cost. Compare your likely monthly costs with your expected bookings.
Can I run a beauty business from home?
Sometimes, but it depends on local zoning, your state's licensing rules and any lease or HOA restrictions. Some places require a separate inspection or a dedicated treatment space. Check with your city or county and your licensing board first.