Small neighborhood beauty salon

Neighborhood clients booking regular appointments, plus occasional event clients such as weddings and proms.

Service fees from your own clients, plus a share of fees or chair rent from staff who work for you, and retail product sales.

• Licensed skill in your service
• Managing staff and schedules
• Budgeting, pricing and local marketing

• Your state board usually licenses individuals and may license the salon itself, so check both
• Check zoning, a local business license and any building inspection with your city or county
• General liability and property insurance, plus workers' compensation once you hire
• Decide early whether staff are employees or independent renters, and check IRS and state rules on classification
• A long lease and fit-out costs are a real commitment, so read terms with care
• Salon chemicals need good ventilation and safe storage

Startup costs are typically around $15,000 to $75,000, depending on your lease, the fit-out, the number of stations and your equipment. These are estimates. A long lease and fit-out costs are a real commitment, so read the terms with care.

Monthly revenue is typically around $5,000 to $25,000, depending on the number of stylists or technicians, your prices and how busy your appointment book is. These are estimates, and you still need to cover rent, supplies and wages.

Your state board usually licenses individuals and may license the salon itself, so check both. Also check zoning, a local business license and any building inspection with your city or county, plus insurance and how staff are classified under IRS and state rules.