How to Become a Mobile Hair Stylist: A Step-by-Step Guide

Clients want convenience, and they want to save time, so there’s no surprise that a lot of hair stylists are giving up the salon and going mobile.

With online scheduling apps like Schedulicity, who give you the tools to go on the road, a mobile hair salon is a win-win for you and your clients!

In this blog, we’ll walk you through all the steps on how to become a mobile hair stylist.

Got specific questions? Feel free to jump ahead! 👇

• Write Your Mobile Hair Salon Business Plan
  • Bonus: Free Salon Business Plan Templates
• Choose Your Speciality
• Purchase Supplies and Equipment
• Doing Hair From Home Legally — What Do You Need?
  • Insurance
  • Licenses

1. Mobile Hair Salon Business Plan

Before you start any business, you need a plan. 

A good salon business plan outlines how you plan to start your business, including solutions your salon will provide clients, market research in your area, financial plans, and more!

This salon business plan checklist will help you get started.

✔️Cover Page

Your cover page should include the name of your salon business, your name, phone number, email address, and any other contact information.

✔️Executive Summary

The executive summary is basically an overview of the rest of your business plan. Be concise and to the point and let readers know what key points you plan to cover in the rest of the document.

✔️Overview

How will your business be structured? How do you plan to make your business successful?

✔️Market Research

Taking the time to research other salons in your area is a crucial step to developing your strategy. 

Pretend you’re a client in your area looking for a hairdresser to do house calls. Where would you look? And what would you look for?

Don’t forget to research other salon websites to learn what others are offering and how much they’re charging.

✔️Marketing Plan

Who would you say is your ideal client? How will you get their attention? What marketing channels will you use to drive traffic?

✔️Operations Plan

Explain what your day-to-day business will look like. What systems will you have in place and what equipment will you use? 

Oh and don’t forget your online scheduling software! 😉

✔️Financial Plan

Lastly, you need a solid breakdown of your numbers. What are your financial goals? What are your projections for five years from now?

Take the time to lay out startup costs, estimate expenses, and explain how you plan to grow your business.

Bonus: Free Salon Business Plan Templates

• The Salon Business
• Business Plan Templates

2. Choose Your Specialty

As part of your research before starting your business, you should learn what your focus will be. What’s your specialty? What will make your business stand out from the competition?

Here’s a short list of possible niches to choose from:

• Coloring only
• Curly hair specialist
• Hair extensions/weaves
• Black hair focus
• Styling for events (weddings, prom)
• Kids haircuts

3. Traveling Hair Stylist Equipment List

When it comes to the supplies and equipment you need as a mobile hair stylist, there will be several upfront costs and ongoing costs to keep in mind. 

Some of the basics include:

• Mirrors
• Hair scissors
• Combs/brushes
• Spray bottles
• Blow dryers
• Shampoos/conditioners
• Color mixing bowls
• Gloves
• Curling iron and flat iron
• Broom and pan
• Floor covering
• Travel bags for equipment

Pro Tip: Don’t miss our Guide to the Hidden Costs of Opening and Running a Salon to learn more about the cost of supplies and equipment.

4. Mobile Hair Stylist Insurance, Licensing & Permits

Making sure your business is legal and insured is a big step. There are several licenses and costs to consider, and you’ll also need insurance.

Here’s what you need to get your business legal and on the road.

Insurance

The exact insurance requirements may vary state to state, but there’s no doubt you’ll need it. And there are at least two types of insurance you’ll likely need…

• General Liability Insurance: General Liability covers claims that could come up in your day-to-day operations, such bodily injuries that your business may have caused.
• Business Interruption Insurance: Business Interruption helps cover you for loss of income in the event you’re unable to carry out business as usual due to an unexpected event. 

Licenses and Permits

• Register your business name: The Small Business Association (SBA) has the details you need to get your business name registered. 
• Get your EIN: Your Employee Identification Number acts as a social security number for your business.
• Secure your business license: Like insurance, each state will have different requirements, so be sure to check your state’s regulations to receive your business license.
• Get your cosmetology or beautician license: If you’re looking to start your own mobile salon business, you may already have your cosmetology license. But if not, you’ll need it, so be sure you’re licensed in each state you’ll be working.

5. Promote Your Mobile Salon Business

Now that you’re licensed, insured, and you have your business plan in place, you can start working on your marketing strategy. 

There are a ton of marketing strategies out there to explore, but we’ll start with the basics.

Build a Website and Portfolio

To start, new clients will need a place to find you. That’s where a business website comes in!

If clients in your area do a Google search for hairdressers that do house calls, you want your name to show up right?

Plus, a website is the perfect place to showcase your skills and let clients know what exactly you offer.

Need a hand designing your website? Our pro guide to building a hair stylist website that actually works is a great place to start!

Pick an Online Scheduling App

Scheduling apps are convenient for you and for your clients, and a ton of potential clients are booking on online scheduling apps every day, so you need to make sure your business gets in front of them there, too. 

There are a lot of scheduling apps to choose from these days — like Schedulicity! — so be sure you do the research to find the one that’s right for you.

To help, we have a full breakdown of some of the best salon software!