How to Start a Salon Business in Kenya

5 min readNov 17, 2021

Self-employment is a sure way to financial independence. Starting a salon business in Kenya will help you become your own boss and generate an income for you. If you have hairdressing skills, a salon is a great business idea to start. You need to know the different hairstyles, posses hairdressing skills and have startup capital to start one. In this article, we will show you how to start a salon business in Kenya.

Acquire Hair Dressing Skills

You might argue that an inborn talent at hairdressing is enough to start a salon, but it’s not the case. You will need to undergo training to acquire the necessary hairdressing skills. Customers will come back if you offer them excellent services.

Hair and beauty care training costs between Ksh 10,000 to Ksh 15,000 per term. If can’t afford the cost of training, you can opt to hire trained employees.

Write a Hairdressing Salon Business Plan

Like every other business, it is best to develop a business plan when starting a hair salon business. The business plan will help you achieve your objectives, satisfy your customers, and make profits. That is not all. A business plan will also help you set priorities, develop accountability, and manage change.

A good hair salon business plan should have the prices of the necessary equipment. Salon equipment costs should be covered in the business plan. If you want to run a successful salon, you need to purchase high-quality equipment. However, the costs depend on your budget.

1. Adjustable Salon Styling Chairs

You need to ensure your customers are comfortable while you are making their hair. Adjustable salon styling chairs cost around Ksh 2000. If you have a tight budget, you can start with Kenpoly chairs that go for as little as Ksh 650 each. You can start with what you have and expand with time.

2. Hairdryer and Blow dryer

Almost every successful salon has a hairdryer for drying hair. A new hairdryer cost between Ksh 12,000 and Ksh 30,000. You can opt to buy a second-hand dryer for Ksh 7,000. Some customers prefer the blow dryer whose price ranges between Ksh 2000 to Ksh 15,000. Therefore, make sure you have both.

3. Hair Styling Station

A hair styling station is a metallic or wooden structure with a mirror, compartments, and salon station drawers. It is best to have a styling station with mirror so that your customers can see how you are making their hair. The average cost of a hair styling station is Ksh 20,000. Apart from that, make sure you know different Kenyan hair and have salon station ideas.

4. Miscellaneous Items

For the salon’s efficient running, you will need items like cosmetics, conditioners and shampoos, combs and brushes, towels, hair chemicals, and aprons. The costs depend on the quality of the items.

Hairdressing equipment suppliers in Nairobi are mostly high established businesses such as Salon Quip, House of Braids, Salon warehouse, and Prestige Global Link Ltd. It is essential to include the services you will offer in your business plan.

Nails: pedicures, manicures, and polish
Skincare: facials, massage, and body waxing.
Hair services: conditioning, relaxers, cuts, weaving, curling, and shampooing

Other Requirements for a Hair Styling Station

Apart from the above mentioned items, you also need to have the following items in your hair salon business.

Hairdressing towels
Salon station mirrors
Hairdressing hair dryers

How Much Does it Cost to Open a Salon in Kenya?

The cost of starting a salon business in Kenya depends on the size and location of the business. You will need to invest around Ksh 100,000 for a medium hair salon business in a town. The following is startup capital breakdown.

Hairstyling chairs — Ksh 25,000
Hairstyling tools — Ksh 30,000
Water heaters — Ksh 5,000
Towels and aprons — Ksh 3,000
Shampoo bowls — Ksh 10,000
Miscellaneous — Ksh 5,000
Permits and licenses — Ksh 10,000

Choose a strategic location for the Salon Business

Choosing a strategic location plays a critical role in the success of your business. Your budget also dictates business location. When selecting a business location for your hair salon business, choose one with high traffic. You can decide to set your business in a building, mall, or close to higher learning institutions.

Obtain a Hair Salon Business License

Kenyan business legal laws require that all businesses secure licenses before commencing operations. You need the following licenses for a salon business:

Single Business Permit. You can obtain a single business permit from the county government. The prices for single business permits vary from one county to the other. The size of the business also determines the cost of a single business permit. Its cost ranges between Ksh 3000 and Ksh 10,00 for a hairdressing business.
Fire Safety Certificate. Salons require heating and an accident can happen and cause a fire outbreak. You need to have equipment like fire extinguishers in your salon. It is best to acquire a fire safety certificate from your local county government offices.
Health Certificate. Clients like getting services in a clean environment. Therefore, make sure that your salon complies with health requirements to get a health certificate. You can get one from private and government hospitals for between Ksh 400 and Ksh 1000.

Conclusion

Running a successful hair salon business requires passion, commitment, and the ability to plan well. Hair dressing businesses are among the most competitive businesses in Kenya. To make more profits, you need to go the extra mile and stand out in the competition.

You can decide to offer hairdressing services from your clients’ homes or open a shop. Make sure to keep up with current trends in the industry. Also, build a good reputation and you are sure to run a successful business.

Originally published at https://www.nexinstartups.com on November 17, 2021.