7.2 Next steps
So, where to from here?
Now that you are equipped with the knowledge and skills required to progress into a career in nail technology, you may find yourself wondering so, what now? Where to from here?
The answer to that question will be different for everyone depending on your individual circumstances (i.e. financial situation, family commitments, current employment obligations). However, in terms of putting your new set of skills to practice, there are effectively three options open to you right now.
Option 1: seek employment in an established salon
The first option open to you is to seek employment in an established beauty or nail salon. The beauty industry is currently booming, and you will find plenty of job advertisements seeking junior nail technicians in a salon or beauty bar.
The pros and cons of gaining employment with an established salon include:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| – You will (most likely) have contact with senior/experienced nail technicians who can provide you with advice and assist with your ongoing development as you gain experience – The name/reputation of the established salon will help to build your own personal database – Income security – Zero financial risk taken on by you | – You will be required to conduct consultations and provide services according to someone else’s policies and procedures – Clients you build a rapport with may stay loyal to the brand/salon if you choose to move on, and not you – Less flexibility regarding working hours/taking time off – Capped income |
The first step in gaining employment is to put together a killer resume or CV. There are literally thousands of examples online, so jump on Google and find one that works for you and amend to reflect you and your skills and experience. Of course, don’t forget to list your Certificate in Nail Technology at the top of your education section!
Generally, the final section of any resume will be a list of referees or contacts that potential employers may choose to contact to verify the content of your resume. At AestheticsED, our support does not cease once you complete your course; we want to see you progress into the beauty industry! To that end, feel free to list us as a referee in your resume, using the below details:
Nail Course Facilitator
AestheticsED
1300 010 130
info@aestheticsed.com.
Once you have your resume together, it’s time to start applying for jobs! Start with the most prominent online employment sites:
- seek.com.au
- indeed.com
- Creating a profile on LinkedIn is also a great way to connect with not only potential employers, but also beauty industry experts
If you do not find anything suitable online, your local newspaper will have an employment section. If all else fails, don’t be afraid to door knock local salons and enquire in person! Most employers will appreciate the enthusiasm displayed by this approach, as it can speed up the recruitment process considerably (it saves them posting an ad and conducting an interview). If you choose to approach businesses in person, it goes without saying, ensure you are well presented and impeccably dressed; and, of course, make sure your nails are on point!
Option 2: start your own beauty small business
If choosing your own hours, having uncapped earning potential and absolute control over how you conduct your services is more attractive to you, you may be better suited to starting your own beauty small business.
The pros and cons of starting up a beauty business include:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| – Free to choose your working hours and time off – Complete control over how you conduct consultations and provide your services – You will be building a database that will stay loyal to you – Uncapped earning potential | – Financial risk associated with start up costs – You are responsible for attracting your own clients – No clients, no revenue |
As you can see, as with any life decision, starting your own business has pros and cons. You have to decide for yourself whether the benefits of starting your own business (complete flexibility and uncapped earning potential) outweigh the risks. This can be a daunting decision to make, and that is why we strongly encourage you to speak with a financial professional to discuss your personal circumstances and concerns. An accounting firm is the best place to start when seeking professional advice about starting up a business.
AestheticsED has partnered with one of the most trusted accounting firms in Australia, Crest Accountants. They are happy to assist any of our graduates by providing you with a complimentary 30 minute phone call to discuss what is required to start a small business, and whether this is suitable to your personal circumstances. You can contact them via any of the methods below:
07 5538 0999
info@crestaccountants.com.au
Enquire via their website
Alternatively, if you feel confident you can carry out the steps required to start a small business yourself, below is a step by step guide of the major items that will need to be completed:
- Decide on your business structure: sole trader, partnership or company. Each carries it’s own benefits and risks, and we would once again strongly recommend speaking with a professional before deciding on this important initial step.
- Register a business name: a business name is the name your business operates under. You will need to register a business name if you choose to conduct business under a name other than your own. Register your business name with the Australian Securities & Investments Commission (ASIC).
- Apply for an ABN: an ABN allows you to receive and make payments to other businesses, make GST and PAYG payments and register a domain name for a website. It also gives your business legitimacy alongside your competitors. Apply for an ABN with the Australian Business Register.
- Financial considerations and setup: there are a number of financial things you need to sort out:
– Unless you’re operating under a sole trader business structure, you will need a separate Tax File Number (TFN) to your personal one. Register for one again with the Australian Business Register.
– Open a business bank account to separate or ‘sterilise’ your business transactions from your personal expenditure.
– Decide on your accounting method. You can choose to sign up to an accounting software subscription like Xero, or hire an accountant to take care of all your bookkeeping and taxation obligations.
– Finally, if your business makes over $75,000 a year, you will need to register for Goods and Services Tax (GST) with the Australian Taxation Office. - Decide on your business operating setup/location, and acquire equipment: next, once all the legal stuff has been done, you need to figure out how you will conduct your business day to day. You may choose to set up a home salon, or set yourself up as a mobile nail technician. Or, you may take the leap and decide to rent/purchase some commercial property. These decisions are once again completely dependant upon you personal circumstances. Once you decide on where you will conduct your business, you will need to purchase all the required equipment, disposables and consumables to operate. Now that you have completed this course, you should be well across what is needed to set up your work space and provide nail services.
These are the primary considerations and tasks associated with starting up a small business in Australia. Of course, this list is not exhaustive and there will be other tasks and considerations that will require your attention based on what state in Australia you reside, and the decisions you make in each of the above steps. Once again, if you are choosing to start up your own nail business, we highly recommend you seek advice from both financial experts as well as small business owners (preferably in the beauty industry, but not essential).
Option 3: continue your beauty education and training
The final option available to you is to further up-skill yourself by undertaking another AestheticsED course. Regardless of which of the above options you choose, equipping yourself with a second (or more!) skillset in the beauty industry will significantly increase both your employability (should you choose option 1) and your ability to generate income (should you choose option 2).
Of note, if you choose to undertake further training with us, you will get significant discounts on additional courses. If you would like to discuss undertaking further training at a discounted cost, speak with a Course Consultant on 1300 010 130 or via info@aestheticsed.com.