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Written by: Natalie Fell
Natalie is a business writer with experience in operations, HR, and training & development within the software, healthcare, and financial services sectors.
Edited by: David Lepeska
David has been writing and learning about business, finance and globalization for a quarter-century, starting with a small New York consulting firm in the 1990s.
Updated on May 16, 2023
Investment range
$3,145 - $8,450
Revenue potential
$62,000 - $125,000 p.a.
Time to build
0 - 3 months
Profit potential
$50,000 - $87,000 p.a.
Industry trend
Growing
Commitment
Flexible
Gorgeous, salon-perfect nails have long been seen as a style symbol. With endless color, shape, and design options, today’s nail artists continue to break the mold. But the pandemic forced nail salon enthusiasts to look for an alternative to their weekly manicures, and press-on nails rose to the challenge.
Today, press-on nails are more popular than ever, offering the look of a flawless manicure at a fraction of the cost. The global artificial nail industry is forecast for strong growth through 2030, making this the perfect time to start a press-on nail business.
But before you join the party, it’s important to learn what it takes to start a business. Lucky for you, this step-by-step guide contains all the entrepreneurial insight you’ll need to make your press-on nail shop a smashing success.
Looking to register your business? A limited liability company (LLC) is the best legal structure for new businesses because it is fast and simple.
Form your business immediately using ZenBusiness LLC formation service or hire one of the Best LLC Services.
Before starting a press-on nails business, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons.
Trends within the press on nail industry include:
Challenges within the press on nail industry include:
Startup costs for a press on nail range from $3,100 to $8,400. Costs include inventory and supplies, packaging materials, and a website.
You’ll need a handful of items to successfully launch your press on nails business, including:
| Start-up Costs | Ballpark Range | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Licenses and permits | $100-$300 | $200 |
| Insurance | $100-$200 | $150 |
| Marketing and advertising | $1,000-$3,000 | $2,000 |
| Website | $1,000-$3,000 | $2,000 |
| Computer | $800-$1,600 | $1,200 |
| Press on nails & glue | $25-$100 | $62 |
| Nail polish & decorating supplies | $20-$50 | $35 |
| Packaging & shipping supplies | $100-$200 | $150 |
| Total | $3,145-$8,450 | $5,797 |
The average cost of a press-on nail kit is $30. After your costs of inventory, packaging, and advertising, your profit margin should be about 80%
In your first year or two, you could sell 40 nail kits per week at $30 each, bringing in $62,000 in annual revenue. This would mean almost $50,000 in profit, assuming that 80% margin. As your brand gains recognition, sales could climb to 80 per week. At this stage, you’d increase your inventory and hire staff, reducing your profit margin to around 70%. With annual revenue of $125,000, you’d make a tidy profit of $87,000.
There are a few barriers to entry when starting a press-on nail business. Your biggest hurdles will be:
Now that you know what’s involved in starting a press on nail business, it’s a good idea to hone your concept in preparation to enter a competitive market.
Market research will give you the upper hand, even if you’re already positive that you have a perfect product or service. Conducting market research is important, because it can help you understand your customers better, who your competitors are, and your business landscape.
Research press-on nail businesses in your area and online to examine their products, price points, and what sells best. You’re looking for a market gap to fill. For instance, maybe the local market is missing a press-on nail business that fulfills custom orders.
You might consider targeting a niche market by specializing in a certain aspect of your industry, such as press-on nails for weddings or nails that feature floral designs.
This could jumpstart your word-of-mouth marketing and attract clients right away.
You’ll be selling press-on nail kits and related accessories like glue, nail files, and remover. To stand out from the competition, it’s important to develop a unique style and keep up with the latest trends. As your business grows, you may wish to develop and sell your own nail polish and adhesive designs.
Prices for press-on nail sets range from $20 to $40 per set. Your prices will depend on how intricate your nail designs are, the quality of the nails, and packaging. After factoring in the costs of inventory, supplies, and packaging, aim for a profit margin of about 80%.
Once you know your costs, you can use this Step By Step profit margin calculator to determine your mark-up and final price points. Remember, the prices you use at launch should be subject to change if warranted by the market.
Your target market will be people who enjoy wearing artificial nails. Spread your marketing efforts across popular social media platforms like TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram.
In the early stages, you may want to run your business from home to keep costs low. But as your business grows, you’ll likely need to hire workers for various roles and may need to rent out an office. You can find commercial space to rent in your area on sites such as Craigslist, Crexi, and Instant Offices.
When choosing a commercial space, you may want to follow these rules of thumb:
Your business name is your business identity, so choose one that encapsulates your objectives, services, and mission in just a few words. You probably want a name that’s short and easy to remember, since much of your business, and your initial business in particular, will come from word-of-mouth referrals.
Here are some ideas for brainstorming your business name:
Once you’ve got a list of potential names, visit the website of the US Patent and Trademark Office to make sure they are available for registration and check the availability of related domain names using our Domain Name Search tool. Using “.com” or “.org” sharply increases credibility, so it’s best to focus on these.
Finally, make your choice among the names that pass this screening and go ahead with domain registration and social media account creation. Your business name is one of the key differentiators that sets your business apart. Once you pick your company name, and start with the branding, it is hard to change the business name. Therefore, it’s important to carefully consider your choice before you start a business entity.
Every business needs a plan. This will function as a guidebook to take your startup through the launch process and maintain focus on your key goals. A business plan also enables potential partners and investors to better understand your company and its vision:
If you’ve never created a business plan, it can be an intimidating task. You might consider hiring a business plan specialist to create a top-notch business plan for you.
Registering your business is an absolutely crucial step — it’s the prerequisite to paying taxes, raising capital, opening a bank account, and other guideposts on the road to getting a business up and running.
Plus, registration is exciting because it makes the entire process official. Once it’s complete, you’ll have your own business!
Your business location is important because it can affect taxes, legal requirements, and revenue. Most people will register their business in the state where they live, but if you are planning to expand, you might consider looking elsewhere, as some states could offer real advantages when it comes to press-on nails.
If you’re willing to move, you could really maximize your business! Keep in mind, it’s relatively easy to transfer your business to another state.
Business entities come in several varieties, each with its pros and cons. The legal structure you choose for your press on nail business will shape your taxes, personal liability, and business registration requirements, so choose wisely.
Here are the main options:
We recommend that new business owners choose LLC as it offers liability protection and pass-through taxation while being simpler to form than a corporation. You can form an LLC in as little as five minutes using an online LLC formation service. They will check that your business name is available before filing, submit your articles of organization, and answer any questions you might have.
Choose Your State
The final step before you’re able to pay taxes is getting an Employer Identification Number, or EIN. You can file for your EIN online or by mail or fax: visit the IRS website to learn more. Keep in mind, if you’ve chosen to be a sole proprietorship you can simply use your social security number as your EIN.
Once you have your EIN, you’ll need to choose your tax year. Financially speaking, your business will operate in a calendar year (January–December) or a fiscal year, a 12-month period that can start in any month. This will determine your tax cycle, while your business structure will determine which taxes you’ll pay.
The IRS website also offers a tax-payers checklist, and taxes can be filed online.
It is important to consult an accountant or other professional to help you with your taxes to ensure you are completing them correctly.
Securing financing is your next step and there are plenty of ways to raise capital:
Bank and SBA loans are probably the best option, other than friends and family, for funding a press on nail business. You might also try crowdfunding if you have an innovative concept.
Starting a press on nail business requires obtaining a number of licenses and permits from local, state, and federal governments.
Federal regulations, licenses, and permits associated with starting your business include doing business as (DBA), health licenses and permits from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), trademarks, copyrights, patents, and other intellectual properties, as well as industry-specific licenses and permits.
You may also need state-level and local county or city-based licenses and permits. The license requirements and how to obtain them vary, so check the websites of your state, city, and county governments or contact the appropriate person to learn more.
You could also check this SBA guide for your state’s requirements, but we recommend using MyCorporation’s Business License Compliance Package. They will research the exact forms you need for your business and state and provide them to ensure you’re fully compliant.
This is not a step to be taken lightly, as failing to comply with legal requirements can result in hefty penalties.
If you feel overwhelmed by this step or don’t know how to begin, it might be a good idea to hire a professional to help you check all the legal boxes.
Before you start making money, you’ll need a place to keep it, and that requires opening a bank account.
Keeping your business finances separate from your personal account makes it easy to file taxes and track your company’s income, so it’s worth doing even if you’re running your press on nail business as a sole proprietorship. Opening a business bank account is quite simple, and similar to opening a personal one. Most major banks offer accounts tailored for businesses — just inquire at your preferred bank to learn about their rates and features.
Banks vary in terms of offerings, so it’s a good idea to examine your options and select the best plan for you. Once you choose your bank, bring in your EIN (or Social Security Number if you decide on a sole proprietorship), articles of incorporation, and other legal documents and open your new account.
Business insurance is an area that often gets overlooked yet it can be vital to your success as an entrepreneur. Insurance protects you from unexpected events that can have a devastating impact on your business.
Here are some types of insurance to consider:
As opening day nears, prepare for launch by reviewing and improving some key elements of your business.
Being an entrepreneur often means wearing many hats, from marketing to sales to accounting, which can be overwhelming. Fortunately, many websites and digital tools are available to help simplify many business tasks.
You may want to use industry-specific software, such as Shopify, BigCartel, or WooCommerce to sell products, manage inventory, and process shipments.
Website development is crucial because your site is your online presence and needs to convince prospective clients of your expertise and professionalism.
You can create your own website using services like WordPress, Wix, or Squarespace. This route is very affordable, but figuring out how to build a website can be time-consuming. If you lack tech-savvy, you can hire a web designer or developer to create a custom website for your business.
They are unlikely to find your website, however, unless you follow Search Engine Optimization (SEO) practices. These are steps that help pages rank higher in the results of top search engines like Google.
Some of your business will come from word of mouth or online visitors, but you should still invest in digital marketing! Getting the word out is especially important for new businesses, as it’ll boost customer and brand awareness.
Once your website is up and running, link it to your social media accounts and vice versa. Social media is a great tool for promoting your business because you can create engaging posts that advertise your products:
Take advantage of your website, social media presence and real-life activities to increase awareness of your offerings and build your brand. Some suggestions include:
Unique selling propositions, or USPs, are the characteristics of a product or service that sets it apart from the competition. Customers today are inundated with buying options, so you’ll have a real advantage if they are able to quickly grasp how your press on nail business meets their needs or wishes. It’s wise to do all you can to ensure your USPs stand out on your website and in your marketing and promotional materials, stimulating buyer desire.
Global pizza chain Domino’s is renowned for its USP: “Hot pizza in 30 minutes or less, guaranteed.” Signature USPs for your press on nail business could be:
You may not like to network or use personal connections for business gain. But your personal and professional networks likely offer considerable untapped business potential. Maybe that Facebook friend you met in college is now running a press on nail business, or a LinkedIn contact of yours is connected to dozens of potential clients. Maybe your cousin or neighbor has been working in artificial nails for years and can offer invaluable insight and industry connections.
The possibilities are endless, so it’s a good idea to review your personal and professional networks and reach out to those with possible links to or interest in press on nails. You’ll probably generate new customers or find companies with which you could establish a partnership. Online businesses might also consider affiliate marketing as a way to build relationships with potential partners and boost business.
If you’re starting out small from a home office, you may not need any employees. But as your business grows, you will likely need workers to fill various roles. Potential positions for a press on nail business include:
At some point, you may need to hire all of these positions or simply a few, depending on the size and needs of your business. You might also hire multiple workers for a single role or a single worker for multiple roles, again depending on need.
Free-of-charge methods to recruit employees include posting ads on popular platforms such as LinkedIn, Facebook, or Jobs.com. You might also consider a premium recruitment option, such as advertising on Indeed, Glassdoor, or ZipRecruiter. Further, if you have the resources, you could consider hiring a recruitment agency to help you find talent.
Press-on nails are booming, and you could get in on the action by designing your own press-on nail kits that wow your customers. With a bit of creativity and commitment, you could build a reputation and have a raving fan base that can’t wait to see what you come up with next!
Now that you’ve brushed up on what’s needed to start a successful venture, it’s time to start showcasing your creativity and build the nail business of your dreams.
Yes, a press-on nail business can be very profitable. The key to standing out from the competition is developing a signature style and keeping up with the latest artificial nail trends.
Press-on nail kits typically cost between $20 and $40. You can charge more for custom orders or nail kits with elaborate designs and embellishments.
Yes, it is possible to make money selling press-on nails on Etsy. Etsy is a popular platform for handmade and unique products, and there is a market for custom press-on nails.
To make press-on nails last longer, consider the following tips:
To differentiate your press-on nail business from competitors, consider the following strategies:
Yes, you can start a press-on nail business on the side. It allows you to pursue your entrepreneurial ambitions while maintaining a primary job or other commitments. However, it’s important to manage your time effectively, set realistic goals, and ensure you have the necessary resources to handle production, packaging, shipping, and customer inquiries.
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