What are the steps to starting a waxing business?

Preparation

Be patient as you prepare. Expect the preparation time to take anywhere from couple of months up to a couple of years. This depends on how many daily hours you put in to the research component of starting a business.

Education and training

Training or certification is not mandatory to offer waxing services in Alberta. However, taking a technical course is highly recommended in order to understand the science behind a waxing service. This includes contraindications and infection control- 2 very important topics when working on clients.

Research Tips

You will need to conduct research in many areas:

• Gather research on pricing in your area. The larger your sample size, the more reliable your data will be.
• Look into the distributors in your area and the supplies and brands they carry.
• Compare your options for payment acceptance. Most people pay with some type of card, so offering this method of payment is a must. Check out what different companies have to offer.
• If you are able to have a website from the start, review different online booking companies. Online booking is extremely helpful because it reduces the amount of missed calls. There are free options for online booking and websites.
• If you are renting a commercial space, scope it out for a week. Pay special attention to the cleanliness on a Sunday morning
• Start looking for used equipment. A big purchase for a new waxing business owner is a spa bed. You can save money by purchasing a used bed.

Marketing

Think ahead! Create a one-year marketing plan and stick to the schedule. Your plan should de detailed with topics of discussion, images, videos, places you will advertise, time frames, etc. Find places where you can advertise your business for free, for example, social media sites.

Licensing and Registration

You will have to register your business. You have options when registering your business with Canada Revenue Agency. For example, when you register your business as a sole proprietorship, you and your business are seen as one. On the other hand, when you register your business as a corporation, you and your business are separate entities. Once you have registered your business, you will need to open a GST account.

Where business registration is a federal government concern, business licenses are overseen by the municipal government. In your application you will be asked to list all different services your business will offer. Licenses are renewed annually. This is the time to report any new business activities, for example, teaching beauty industry courses such as waxing. NOTE: Should you go the teaching route in the future, depending on your beauty course details, you may need a training license. This particular license is issued provincially.

Commercial vs Home Business Location

Different types of licenses are issued to home businesses and store fronts.

Start small. Whether you are opening a commercial store front or a home business, start small. Initially you will wear all sorts of hats: service provider, spa assistant, spa receptionist, bookkeeper, marketing specialist, janitor, etc.

Best of luck!

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EXECUTIVE SPA GROUP
Alberta Beauty Industry Resources
(780)604-2772
info@executivespagroup.com

Is waxing a profitable business?

Waxing can be a profitable business as long as most conditions required for success are met. These conditions include but are not limited to a high level of technical skill, an in-depth knowledge of health and safety factors, and a steady discipline and time commitment to growing your business.

Speed x Material

For waxing to be a lucrative specialty for a beauty professional, one must train in speed when delivering the service. Waxing is one of the few if not the only esthetics service where the client wants the appointment completed in a timely fashion. It goes without saying, the faster the service, the more clients you can see in one day.

Another way to measure efficiency is by not overusing material. Overuse is a common mistake made by new waxers. For example, spreading too much soft wax on an area may create challenges when pulling the resin strip off your client. So, not only is wax being wasted, the service does not flow as smoothly.

Which is the most lucrative waxing specialty?

Bikini waxing is probably the most lucrative specialty. This is because this relatively small area is valued at a higher price due to the intimate nature. In 2023, the average price of a female Brazilian wax in Edmonton, Alberta was $77. Bikini waxing specialists can deliver this service in a cool 15 minutes. Add a 15% tip to this total and you just made $89 in 15 minutes!

The trick is to fill your schedule with clients all day.

How do waxers get clients?

This is where that steady discipline and time commitment to growing your business comes in. Word-of-mouth is the best form of advertising because it always comes from a trusted source, plus, it’s free! However, new waxing businesses cannot rely solely on word-of-mouth advertising. Luckily, there are many free methods of advertising.

The most common free method these days is social media. All waxing businesses should be on as many platforms as possible to reach as many potential clients as possible. Remember, consistency is key in growing a following. In addition, creativity is important when developing ads to reach potential customers. Waxing specialists may face long term challenges when creating social media posts. After all, how much can you say about waxing after five to ten years?!

Do you need a license to wax in Alberta?

While you do not need a license to deliver waxing services in Alberta, industry training is recommended to ensure that you are meeting the Personal Services Regulations and Standards set forth by Alberta Health Services.

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EXECUTIVE SPA GROUP
Alberta Beauty Industry Resources
(780)604-2772
info@executivespagroup.com