A trip to the nail salon is one of the more popular activities among Americans today. Whether it’s during a lunch break, before a special event like a wedding or a baby shower, or just part of a fun day out, many people find any excuse to go for a little low­key pampering. If you’re thinking of opening a nail salon, you’re certainly about to tap a popular market. However, you’ve got to be sure your business plan stands up to the fierce competition. Here are a few tips for making your nail salon business plan stand out to investors.

 

Offer all the latest treatments. Read up on what’s “in,” both in your region and in fashion-forward parts of the world. Check out what treatments are being discussed in hip magazines like Vogue or Harper’s Bazaar. See what trends celebrities are adopting. You’ll need to be up on the times and prepared to offer all the most fashionable treatments at an effective price if you want your salon to stay afloat.

 

Have a gimmick. What makes your salon stand out from the rest? Are your treatments more convenient, affordable, or of higher quality than those of your regional competitors? Do you offer something other salons do not, such as gels or piercings? Will you be sourcing your products from demonstrably humane, local or organic sources? Find your hook and run with it.

 

Back your salon with impressive credentials . Who are your chief employees? Having an executive team with years of training in beauty and nail art will validate your business plan. Be sure to highlight each team member’s special skills and credentials in a concise, direct manner.

 

Really know your competition. In your “Competition” section, be sure to describe in detail A: what makes your fellow salons strong competitions for your own and B: the ways in which you trump them. The better you convey an understanding your competitors’ strengths AND weaknesses, the stronger your business plan will seem.