By 9jaDirectory Beauty Team | Updated: November 2025
Beauty and personal care is recession-proof. Women spend on beauty even during hard times. It's one of Nigeria's most profitable service businesses.
Startup: ₦300K-₦2M. Monthly revenue: ₦300K-₦500K+ if managed well.
Salon Service Ideas (Pick 1-3)
- Hair Salon: Cutting, coloring, extensions, braids (most profitable)
- Makeup Services: Bridal, events, tutorials
- Nails: Manicure, pedicure, nail art
- Skincare: Facials, treatments, waxing
- Combo Salon: All services (requires more staff, more investment)
Startup Costs Breakdown
Small salon (500 sq ft, 1-2 stations): ₦300K-₦500K
- Salon chairs & mirrors: ₦100K
- Equipment (dryers, steamers, etc.): ₦80K
- Products & supplies: ₦60K
- Shop rent (first 3 months): ₦60K
Medium salon (1,000 sq ft, 4-6 stations): ₦800K-₦1.5M
Upscale salon (2,000+ sq ft, 8+ stations): ₦2M+
Service Pricing in Nigeria (2025)
- Hair cut: ₦2K-₦5K
- Hair coloring: ₦10K-₦30K
- Braids (per hour): ₦5K-₦15K
- Hair extensions: ₦15K-₦50K
- Manicure: ₦3K-₦8K
- Bridal makeup: ₦20K-₦100K
- Facial: ₦5K-₦20K
Revenue Example (4-station salon)
4 stylists, 5 clients each per day, ₦5K average per client = ₦100K/day. 25 working days = ₦2.5M/month. Minus salaries (₦600K), rent (₦100K), products (₦300K), utilities (₦100K) = ₦1.4M profit.
Your 30-Day Launch
- Week 1: Find location, get permits
- Week 2: Buy equipment, furniture, products
- Week 3: Design space, set up
- Week 4: Hire staff, train, soft launch
Opening day: Ready to serve.
Choose Your Salon Model
There are three models that work well in Nigeria. Pick one based on your budget and market:
- Home service: low overhead, flexible (great for makeup, nails, braiding).
- Small studio: 1–2 stations; ideal for starting in Lagos or Abuja with limited budget.
- Full salon: multiple stations + staff; higher cost but scalable.
Location Tips (What Actually Matters)
- Visibility: foot traffic beats “cheap rent” in most cases.
- Power: budget for inverter/generator—downtime kills revenue.
- Target market: price your services based on neighborhood spending power.
Service Packaging (How to Increase Profit)
Don’t sell “one service”. Create packages:
- Monthly hair care plan: wash + treatment + styling
- Bridal bundle: trial + makeup + touch-ups
- Combo day: hair + nails + brows (discounted)
Marketing That Brings Clients (2025)
- Before/after videos: short Reels/TikToks convert better than flyers.
- Reviews: ask every happy client for a review and referral.
- WhatsApp bookings: use WhatsApp Business auto-replies for slots and prices.
- Local SEO: show up for “salon near me” searches.
To build trust, create a profile page people can share: list your salon on 9jaDirectory (use Beauty & Spa).
Hygiene & Standards (Non-Negotiable)
Beauty businesses succeed long-term when clients feel safe. Set basic SOPs:
- Sanitize tools between clients
- Use disposable items where needed
- Maintain clean towels and workstations
- Keep a booking log to reduce waiting time
Services & Pricing (Build a Simple Menu)
Salons grow faster when pricing is clear. Create a simple menu with 3 tiers (basic, standard, premium) so customers can choose quickly:
- Hair services (braids, installs, treatment)
- Nails (basic, gel, acrylic)
- Lashes/brows (optional high-margin add-on)
- Skincare/facials (if you have trained staff)
Equipment Checklist (Start Small, Upgrade)
- Salon chairs + mirrors + workstation lighting
- Hair tools (dryer, straightener, sterilizer)
- Nail kit (UV lamp, tools, hygiene supplies)
- Waiting area basics (chairs, water, clean environment)
- Power backup plan (inverter/generator) to avoid losing customers
Hiring & Training (Protect Your Reputation)
Skill is important, but attitude and hygiene matter just as much. Create simple standards:
- Clean tools for every customer (no shortcuts)
- Time discipline (late starts kill repeat business)
- Customer service (explain options, confirm prices upfront)
FAQ
How do I get customers in the first 30 days?
Post transformations daily, run a limited “opening offer”, partner with nearby boutiques/vendors, and collect reviews. Consistency and proof beat expensive ads.
Should I start from home or rent a shop?
Starting from home reduces cost, but a shop increases walk-ins and trust. Start where you can deliver quality consistently, then expand when demand is steady.
Customer Experience (How Salons Win)
Most salons compete on price. The better strategy is experience + consistency:
- Use a simple booking system (WhatsApp templates are enough) to reduce waiting time.
- Keep hygiene standards high (sterilize tools, clean towels, clean workstations).
- Upsell ethically: treatment packages, home-care products, and monthly maintenance plans.
Retention & Referrals
Your best customers are repeat customers. Ask for reviews after each service, offer referral discounts, and keep a simple customer list so you can notify clients about new services and promos.
Marketing Checklist (Weekly)
- Post 3–5 transformations (before/after) weekly
- Ask 5 customers for reviews monthly
- Run a small promo for slow days (weekday offers)
- Partner with nearby boutiques and makeup artists
FAQ (Final)
How do I set prices without losing customers?
Price based on costs + time + quality. Create packages (basic/standard/premium) so customers can choose. Avoid competing only on cheap prices; focus on proof, hygiene, and consistent results.
Conclusion
A salon business can be highly profitable in Nigeria when you package services, deliver consistent quality, and market daily. Start small, build loyal clients, and scale with demand.
Next step: List your beauty business on 9jaDirectory and start getting customers from your area.
Hygiene Checklist (Non-Negotiable)
- Sterilize tools between clients and use clean towels/capes.
- Keep disposable items (gloves, neck strips) where needed.
- Take clear before/after photos with customer permission.
- Maintain a clean workstation and visible hygiene standards.
Staffing (When to Hire)
Hire when you have consistent bookings and your calendar is full. Start with one assistant, train with checklists, and track quality with customer feedback.
Local SEO Tip
Ask happy customers for Google reviews and include nearby landmarks in your profile description. Many salon clients choose whoever is closest and most trusted.
