Have you ever dreamt of starting your own holistic or beauty business but are really not sure of what steps you need to take?  

First of all, there is no right age or situation to start your own holistic or beauty business. I have taught students who are young and didn't fit in or enjoy the catty college environment, and more mature students who are really unhappy in their job or have been made redundant and want a career change.  I have also taught retired students who want to do something constructive to do with their spare time while earning extra income.

In terms of the steps you would need to take, first of all

1. Write a list of what you are bringing to the table, as you are your greatest business asset.  Think about all the skills and knowledge you have gained from everyday life, education or employment, and your personal attributes.  No one is a blank canvas, and we all have skills, knowledge and personal strengths that we can lean upon when setting up and running our own business.

2. Next, set some time aside to create your business vision - where would you like to work? Which treatments would you like to offer? What does your workspace look like in terms of aesthetics and decor? Who are your dream clients? At this stage, just jot down loose ideas so that you can make choices that will lead you in the right direction.

3. Research your training options - what is your budget? Do you want to do a longer course at a slower pace or a fast-track course? Do you want to have the community spirit of spending time with other students or do you prefer to do independent home study?  Of the training providers you have researched, are the courses accredited? Will they enable you to obtain public liability insurance?

 Also, you will need to research the course content as holistic and beauty courses should include much more than just learning how to do the treatment.

As a bare minimum, your holistic or beauty training course should include: Therapist code of conduct, Consultations, Health and Safety, Hygiene, Infection Prevention and Control Procedures; anatomy and physiology and common health conditions relating to the treatment you are learning, the treatment procedure and how to provide aftercare advice.  It may also include important information relating to business law such as data protection and retail law.  If you are based in the UK, you can search the National Occupational Standards database and see the minimum occupational requirements for your chosen subject, e.g. massage or facials.

 

4. Once you have completed your training course, you may want to buy the bare minimums (e.g. therapy couch, couch roll and products) and spend time practising with family and friends to build up your confidence.  That way you can practice all the hygiene, health and safety procedures, consultations, doing the treatments and providing after-care.  You can charge a "cheapie" rate to cover the cost of your time and your products.  If you do freebies, you will reach that awkward point where you have to charge!

 

5. During the time that you are building up your confidence, you will also want to create your Business Plan. 

 

You will also need to

a) Set and finance your start-up budget and buy your insurance, any products, licences, equipment or services that you need to get your business up and running

b) Create a marketing plan and buy any items such as business cards, leaflets, etc.

c Set up systems for your appointment bookings, client consultations, payments

d) Register your business and yourself either as a sole trader, partnership or limited company

e) Set up financial systems and procedures

f) Decide on your business name and decide where you are going to work from.

 

As you can see, there is a lot more to setting up your own holistic or beauty business than would first meet the eye! However, don't let that put you off.  In 1996, I started with my Reiki 1 certificate, a therapy couch, couch roll, blankets and my insurance from a spare room at home.

 

If you are interested in learning more about how I can help you through any of these steps, please browse:

• Accredited Holistic and Beauty Courses suitable for absolute beginners
• Business Start-Up Consultations
• Business Vision and Business Plan Module
• Holistic and Beauty Business Start-Up Course which will be going live in Spring 2022

 

Ok, take care and good luck!

 

Zoe

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Next week on the 21st December, is the  Winter Solstice in the Northern Hemisphere.  It is the shortest day of the year and from thereon, the nights gradually start to get longer, a promise of the return of the sunlight!

For people who celebrate Christmas, the Winter Solstice can often be overlooked as they are busy focusing on last minute shopping or preparation for the festive period.  However for those who find Christmas all just a bit too much in terms of materialism, pressure and stress, Winter Solstice can be the ideal time to detach from all of that. 

At this time of year, Nature is all about stillness, there is not much outward activity in terms of life and growth, but surely lots of inward activity in preparation for the first blooms of new life in Spring.  For this reason, I associate Winter Solstice with simple, peaceful, reflective rituals.

Here are 3 simple self-care rituals to celebrate Winter Solstice

1) Go for a gentle stroll in Nature, try to be really present and aware of everything with your all your senses.  Make the intention to shake any of the festive stress you may be holding on to.  If you are a crafty type, you could collect some evergreen foliage and make it into a festive wreath. You would need to buy an "Oasis foam wreath ring" in advance though.  To make your wreath, you simply soak the wreath ring in water first then add your foliage.  You could even buy a bunch of flowers and place a few of them in your wreath as well.

2) Do some gentle restorative Yoga - I follow a lovely lady Nourished Natasha on Youtube who often celebrates nature's cycles with a special yoga class. Her classes are very inclusive, and I am sure beginners would find her classes accessible, so be sure to check her out. After your yoga class, you could have a soothing cleansing aromatherapy bath with sea salt and essential oils. Some relaxing and uplifting essential oils include sweet orange, lavender, and bergamot. Mix 1 tbs of sunflower oil with 6 drops of essential oils, add it to about 200g of bath salts, stir well and then add to your bathwater. 

3) If the weather isn't great or you don't feel like being active, you could do a simple journal ritual.  Play some relaxing music, light a candle, take your journal and write about all the good that has come into your life this year.  If it has been a challenging year, then take the message of the Winter solstice to be one of hope for you.  Just as the sunlight starts to gradually return into all the countries in the Northern hemisphere from this day, the sunlight can also start to come back into your life as well. Make that intention for yourself.

If you are interested in learning more about living in tune with the seasons, aromatherapy and self-care, feel free to check out these resources which maybe of interest to you:

Winter Self-Care Guide Ebook  

Aromatherapy for Beginners Ebook

Until next time

Zoe

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