Been thinking long of starting your own business? Well, don't just sit back and procrastinate, get into action! There are business opportunities waiting which do not ask for too much and yet give fantastic returns. One such industry is the personal grooming industry. You, too, can be a part of this burgeoning industry that doesn't really take too much skill, yet is sure to make you smile all the way to the bank. All you need is a few basic qualifications and a little space, commercial or otherwise, and you are in business. You may choose to offer any of a range of services - from simple hair cutting for men, women, or both, to beauty salons primarily aimed at the fairer sex providing manicures, pedicures and the likes, to other specialized personal care services like color consultants, dandruff cure, tanning salons, hair care treatments etc.

Basic Qualifications
Getting a basic qualification to flash makes good business sense. But if you aren't too inclined, you can always hire a dermatologist to offer laser hair removal under your brand name. Sure you'll be paying him plenty, but you will still end up the winner as your brand name gets built up.
Offering a degree of specialty like male pattern baldness will definitely help you get better and specialized business, and you are likely to attract clients from far and wide. Ask Susan. Confining herself to her core business of hitsutism has won her a regular and dedicated clientele, with onward references driving her growth. Try to get some hands on experience on a job as well - it will come in very handy when you are handling your own clients.

Where to start
Decide the level you want to start your business with. Let us see some of the options available.

On Site
You can start by offering your services at on-site locations. This is great way to start business with nearly zero investment, having to buy just the basic tools and cosmetics to get going. You have to depend totally on word-of-mouth publicity for your reputation to spread.

Home Based
This is the starting level - you can convert a free room to a makeshift saloon where you offer your services. Though starting costs will be low, you will have the disadvantage of your clientele being restricted to your neighborhood, at least initially. Graduate to a commercial place when you can afford it.

Commercial Locations
If you can afford it, a commercial location is the best way to get attention from the word go. After all, people don't have to search for you - you are right there where they are looking for the services. A decision needed here is, however, whether you want to go it alone or take up a franchisee.

The Franchisee Route
Taking a franchisee offers a great jump-start in the form of a good brand name, experience and the goodwill earned by the franchisor. You don't have to bother about most of the headaches of starting from scratch. Be prepared, however, to shell out a fair amount from your profits as franchisee fee, besides the omnipresent ‘big brother' watching over your shoulder.

Going It Alone
Having your own setup will avoid the problems of a franchisee, but be ready to rough it out and just ‘hang in there' for a few years. Your initial expenses are likely to be higher, and your business will take time to settle down. But at the end of it all, you will have the satisfaction of having your very own business. You are your own boss, and that is what matters!