How to write a Beauty
Business Plan

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Last Updated: July 15, 2024

Jordan Carroll

Executive Summary

You might think that an executive summary only serves as an introduction, but it's much more important than that.

It's a snapshot of your entire beauty business plan. It gives readers key information they need to understand what your beauty business is all about. 

Start this section with an overview of your beauty business. A simple overview should include:

  1. The name of your beauty business
  2. The location
  3. Its primary focus
  4. A quick summary of what you plan to achieve

If you are selling beauty products, like skin and hair care products, this is your chance to mention it. 

It's important to touch on financials in this section. Your financial summary should include key metrics, financial projections, and funding requirements. 

But don't go too deeply into financials here. You will have an opportunity to discuss it in more detail in your financial plan. 

If your beauty business has already been established, you can explain your current state of operations. 

Finally, tell your readers about the future vision of your beauty business. 

Is it to become a leading beauty skincare line with a global customer base? To build a luxury wellness centre? Or to create an eco-friendly beauty brand that offers sustainable products?

Remember not to drag this section out. One page is enough. 

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Business Description

This next section should describe your beauty business. It's basically the "About the Company" section.

First of all, you should explain your business concept. Talk about the idea behind your beauty business and its unique value proposition.

Explain exactly what your beauty business offers. The beauty industry can comprise the following businesses:

  • Salons and spas
  • Cosmetics and skincare products
  • Fragrances
  • Hair care
  • Personal care
  • Beauty services
  • Aesthetic and dermatology services
  • Beauty education and training
  • Beauty technology
  • Sustainable and ethical beauty

You might also want to briefly mention your beauty business's legal structure. State whether your beauty business is a sole proprietorship, partnership, LLC, or corporation.

If applicable, provide a brief history of your business or your experience in the beauty industry.

You can also provide an overview of the beauty industry, including trends and growth potential.

Two important elements of the business description section, and your beauty business plan in general, are the mission and vision statements.

The first is meant to state the purpose and goals of your beauty business. The second should explain what you aspire to achieve with your beauty business.

Here's an example of a mission statement for a beauty business plan:

To provide high-quality, sustainable beauty products and exceptional service, fostering confidence and self-expression while promoting environmental responsibility and inclusivity.

Here's an example of a vision statement:

Our vision is to be the global leader in the beauty industry, recognised for our commitment to sustainability and inclusivity, inspiring and enabling every person to embrace their unique beauty with confidence and joy.

Also mention your short-term and long-term goals.

Market Analysis

Whether you're writing a beauty parlour business plan, a beauty shop business plan, or anything similar, you need to do market research first. 

The goal is to analyse the market environment in which your beauty business will operate.

The market analysis section of your beauty business plan should include:

  1. Target market: Identify your ideal customers, their demographics, and preferences.
  2. Market size and growth: Present data on the size of your target market and its expected growth.
  3. Competitive analysis: Identify your main competitors and analyse their strengths and weaknesses.
  4. Market trends: Highlight current trends in the beauty industry that could impact your business.
  5. Customer needs: Describe the specific needs and problems of your target market and how your business will address them.

This section is more important than you might think. It shows your potential readers that you understand your industry and target market. 

A special section should be devoted to your competition. Research your top competitors, including direct and indirect competition. 

You can present your competition like this:

A screenshot of the universal business plan template that shows a table for your competitive landscape
This screenshot was taken from our template, which you can download for free. 

This will give you an opportunity to state your competitive advantages. Explain what sets your beauty business apart from others. 

Another good idea is to do a SWOT analysis. SWOT refers to strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. 

Doing this shows you are ready to launch your business into your industry.

Organisation and Management

Next, you will want to describe your beauty business's organisational structure. Provide an organisational chart showing the hierarchy of your business.

It can look like this:

A diagram of the organisational structure from the universal business plan
This screenshot was taken from our template, which you can download for free. 

Introduce the key members of your team, their roles, and their backgrounds.

Let's say you're writing a beauty parlour business plan. Key members of your staff can include:

  • The owner of the salon
  • Salon manager
  • Head stylist
  • Senior beauticians
  • Nail technicians
  • Receptionists
  • Junior stylists
  • Support staff

This part of your beauty salon business plan should also include a staffing plan. 

Talk about how you plan to hire and retain your employees. This can include competitive salaries, benefits, and opportunities for career advancement to retain top talent. 

You can also mention training and development. 

Products or Services

Whether your beauty business will offer products or services, this part of the business plan is very important. 

If you're writing a beauty shop business plan, here's what you can talk about:

  1. Product line: Describe each beauty product you will offer, including its benefits and unique features.
  2. Pricing strategy: Explain how you will price your beauty products.
  3. Product lifecycle: Discuss the expected lifecycle of your beauty products.
  4. Research and development: If applicable, describe any R&D activities you will undertake.
  5. Production and delivery: Explain how you will produce and deliver your products.

If you are writing a business plan for a salon or spa, you can explain what services you will offer. 

Here's an example of an overview of this section:

Elegance Beauty Lounge will offer a wide range of beauty and spa services designed to meet the diverse needs of our clients. Our offerings will include hair care, skin care, nail services, and relaxation treatments, all provided by highly skilled professionals using top-quality products.

Another idea is to write about membership or loyalty programs. Both beauty product and service businesses can do this. 

This can include rewards programs for frequent clients, discounts, free services, or exclusive offers.

If you plan to offer exclusive services or treatments, now is the time to mention them. For instance, beauty salons can offer special facials or hair treatments. Wellness centres can offer holistic therapy and nutrition counselling. 

Marketing and Sales Strategies

Your marketing and sales strategies aren't only important to get your beauty business going. 

These business plan elements are also key for potential investors who want to know how you plan to find and retain customers. 

This is what they will be looking for:

  • Your target audience and key demographics
  • Brand positioning and identity
  • Unique selling proposition (USP)
  • Online and offline marketing channels
  • Partnerships and collaborations
  • Promotions and discounts 

A strong brand identity is key for a beauty business. Develop a clear and consistent brand voice and message that resonates with your target audience, highlighting your unique value proposition.

Beauty businesses can also benefit from promotional strategies. These can include special discounts, seasonal promotions, referral programs, loyalty programs, exclusive benefits, and so on. 

Another good idea is to use modern marketing techniques, like influencer marketing. Collaborate with local beauty influencers and bloggers to reach a wider audience.

As for your sales strategy, you should include the following elements:

  • Client experience
  • Service customisation
  • Upselling and cross-selling
  • Customer retention
  • Performance tracking

The client experience is very important for your beauty business. Write about all the different ways you plan on elevating the client experience so that they will become repeat customers.  

You can track your performance with sales metrics, client feedback, and marketing ROI.

With a strong marketing and sales strategy, you will be able to find loyal customers and build a lasting brand presence. 

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Operations Plan

Your beauty business plan should also include an operations plan. 

Writing an operations plan for a beauty business plan involves detailing how the business will function on a day-to-day basis. 

This part of your business plan should also detail how you plan to achieve smooth operations and high-quality service delivery. 

Focus on the following elements in this section:

  1. Daily operations 
  2. Service delivery
  3. Location and facilities
  4. Production plan
  5. Key suppliers and partners
  6. Core activities
  7. Supply chain management
  8. Key resources
  9. Inventory management
  10. Key performance indicators (KPIs)

Daily operations can include opening and closing procedures. Outline steps for opening and closing the salon, including security measures, setup, and cleanup.

Describe the process from client check-in to check-out. This includes consultations, service execution, and payment.

If you're writing a beauty parlour business plan, you can also talk about appointments. What will your booking system look like? Will you accept walk-in clients?

This also applies to inventory management. Write about your inventory policies and the ordering process. 

Add the location and facilities section to your beauty salon business plan. Talk about the salon layout and the technology and equipment you will use.

If you plan to use software for booking, you can mention it here. 

Don't forget to explain your supply chain management. List the most important suppliers for your beauty products and supplies.

Finally, touch on key performance indicators (KPIs). Explain what they are for your beauty business and how they will help you.

Financial Plan

Your financial plan is absolutely essential for your beauty business plan, especially if you're looking for investors. 

Writing a financial plan for a beauty business involves detailing your business's financial projections, funding requirements, and financial strategies.

Here's what you need to include:

  • Cash flow statement
  • Profit and loss statement
  • Balance sheet
  • Startup costs
  • Break-even analysis
  • Funding requirements

Here's how you can present your profit and loss statement:

An income statement table from the universal business plan
This screenshot was taken from our template, which you can download for free. 

You can create similar tables for your cash flow statement, balance sheet, and funding requirements. 

Listing your funding requirements is optional. But if you're writing a beauty business plan to acquire funding, it's 100% necessary. 

If you're not sure how to go about this part of your business plan, you can hire an accountant to help you out. 

It's very important to get all the information correctly if you want to show potential readers you know how much starting a beauty business is going to cost you.

You can also mention potential funding sources, which can be personal savings, bank loans, investors, and similar.

As for startup costs, these can include:

  • Lease and renovation
  • Equipment and supplies
  • Licensing and permits
  • Marketing and branding
  • Technology

You can also talk about expense projections for fixed costs. For example, rent, utilities, salaries, insurance, ongoing marketing, maintenance, etc.

Conclusion

Your conclusion is where you will reiterate your executive summary. 

You can also use this section to reinforce your commitment to the business's success, making a final appeal to investors or stakeholders.  

You can add these sections to the conclusion:

  1. Summary of key points
  2. Vision for growth 
  3. Future milestones
  4. Financial viability
  5. Call to action
  6. Final thoughts 

Just like your executive summary, this section should be short and to the point. Keep it one page long.

The call to action is optional, but if you're seeking funding, we recommend it. 

Here's an example of a call to action for a beauty business plan:

We warmly invite you to become a partner in the journey of Elegance Beauty Lounge. 

By investing in our vision, you are not only supporting a business dedicated to excellence in beauty and wellness but also contributing to a brand that prioritises sustainability, innovation, and community engagement. 

We anticipate the opportunity to discuss this venture with you further and explore the mutual benefits of our partnership. Thank you for considering this exciting opportunity to be a part of Elegance Beauty Lounge.

Appendix

An appendix is for adding supporting documentation. It's not obligatory, but it’s a good idea to have one. 

These are the supporting documents you can attach to your beauty business plan:

  1. Lease agreement
  2. Resumes of employees
  3. Financial statements
  4. Marketing materials 
  5. Visuals and product photos
  6. Market research data
  7. Legal documents 

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