Brow artist’s budget for getting started

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Pricing

1. Background

We often receive questions at hairstrokes.com about the initial costs of starting a career in PMU (Permanent Makeup), especially focusing on powder brows and hairstrokes. To address this, we interviewed 74 artists who have found success in their locations within two years of training. These artists are spread across various regions, with 52 in the European Union, 15 in the UK, and 7 in the US.

Based on their experiences, we have compiled a list of essential items new artists need to begin their PMU journey. While we've strived for comprehensiveness, the prices of these items may vary depending on the location. Nonetheless, such variations generally don't significantly affect the overall budget.

This guide is designed to help aspiring PMU artists understand and plan their initial expenses, facilitating a smooth and well-informed start in semi-permanent makeup.

2. Different Mentalities

Classic Approach to Budgeting

A common error among budding artists in the powder brows and hairstrokes business is spending money before earning any. While this might seem like the only way to start a career in PMU, the most successful artists often take a different approach. They invest money that they've already received from prospective clients.

“If You Build It, They Will Come”

There's a critical lesson to be learned here, inspired by a famous movie quote. Investing before knowing if there will be a return, following the “If you build it, they will come” mentality, is risky. This phrase, originally from the movie "Field of Dreams," suggests that building something with passion will naturally attract people. In the film, the protagonist, Ray Kinsella, hears this phrase and is inspired to build a baseball field, risking financial ruin.

While inspiring, this approach can be problematic in business. It implies that success will follow simply because you've started something. This overlooks the importance of market research, demand analysis, and strategic planning. Understanding market demand and having a solid business plan are crucial for success. Hence, while motivational, this quote should be cautiously applied in business.

Strategic Approach to Investments

For novice artists, while various investment opportunities might be available, even to the point of securing credit, it’s essential to avoid a common pitfall: the belief in a linear progression from investment to market readiness. This approach is often naïve and suboptimal.

A more effective strategy, as adopted by many successful newcomers, involves asking: "Does this expense directly contribute to attracting business?" This is a crucial consideration. Each potential expense should be examined through this perspective, focusing on compiling a list of prudent and essential initial investments. The upcoming sections of this article will delve into this approach, guiding you to make strategic decisions that align with your business goals.

3. “Money In" and "Money Out”

When planning budgets for aspiring Permanent Makeup artists, it's vital to differentiate between essential and optional expenses. We recommend two distinct budgets: the "Money In" budget and the "Money Out" budget.

The "Money In" Budget

This fundamental budget focuses on investments that directly contribute to customer acquisition and business establishment. It's a thrifty yet targeted budget to lay the foundation for your PMU business. The priority is on essential items for starting your operations and generating initial income.

The "Money Out" Budget

In contrast, the "Money Out" budget covers expenses that, while beneficial, are not critical in the early stages of your business. These are investments that can improve your practice but are not vital initially. This budget immediately includes desirable but unnecessary items and can be considered once your business is more established or when financial leeway is greater.

Both budgets are formulated based on the experiences and advice of successful PMU artists. Their recommendations have been tested in real-world situations, confirming the effectiveness of these budgeting strategies. This dual-budget system offers a balanced approach, enabling new artists to make well-informed decisions about allocating their resources for optimal impact.

4. Money In - Sample Budget: $3,000

Overview of Initial Investment

Our analysis shows you'll typically need around $3,000 to launch a successful powder brows or hairstrokes business. This figure, derived from numerous successful artists, balances necessary investment and cost efficiency. Cutting costs too much can be detrimental, so this budget is optimized for effectiveness.

Allocation of the Budget

Professional training, essential for skill acquisition and certification, consumes the largest portion of this initial budget. The rest (about 40-50%) is allocated for essential tools and supplies to offer powder brows or hairstrokes services, from sterilization products to the PMU machine.

Importance of Strategic Investment

Each item in this budget is crucial for generating income. Following this budget, many artists have successfully established their businesses. These investments are strategic steps towards a sustainable and profitable PMU business. Next, we'll break down the initial budget in detail.

Training ($1,500 - $2,000)

Training is your most significant expense, valuable for the expertise gained and the certification received. As explored in depth on powderbrows.com, it’s not an area to economize. Estimated cost: $1,500 - $2,000.

Additional Essential Items

Here are the other necessary items in alphabetical order.

Alcohols: For sterilizing skin and work surfaces. Cost: $25.
Baby Wipes: For cleaning artificial skin and clients' brows. Cost: $20.
Budget for Social Media Boosts: Initial marketing funds. Cost: $200.
Cable Wrap: To organize machine cables. Cost: $20.
Chat GPT Subscription: For task assistance. Cost: $20.
Cling Film: To cover the treated area post-procedure. Cost: $15.
Cohesive Bandages: For comfortable PMU pen grip. Cost: $15.
Cotton Pads: To apply cleaning and numbing agents. Cost: $15.
Cotton Swabs: For precise application/removal of products. Cost: $15.
Disposable Gloves: For hygiene and preventing cross-contamination. Cost: $20.
Domain Name: From brandsnap.ai. Cost: $15.
Eyebrow Brushes: For pre-procedure grooming. Cost: $10.
Eyebrow Crayons: For pre-pigment outlining. Cost: $15.
Facebook Business Account: For online presence. Cost: Free.
Golden Ratio Compass: For brow mapping. Cost: $25.
Instagram Account: With brand-aligned handle. Cost: Free.
Hand Mirror: For client pre-drawing approval. Cost: $10.
Logo Creation: Via platforms like Wix. Cost: Free.
Mapping Rulers-Stickers: For symmetrical designs. Cost: $15.
Needles: For pigment application. Cost: $100.
Pencil for Predrawing: Initial design sketching. Cost: $25.
Pigment Rings/Cups: Prefer silicone. Cost: $15.
Pigments: High-quality options. Cost: $150.
PMU Machine: Wireless, lightweight. Cost: $150 - $200.
Pointed Cotton Swabs: For precise corrections. Cost: $15.
Practicing Skin: For extended training. Cost: $100.
Professional Profile Pictures: For marketing. Cost: $100 - $150.
Razor for Crayons: To maintain precision. Cost: $5.
Retoucher: For portfolio photo editing. Cost: $50 - $100.
Skin Numbing Gel: Topical anesthetic. Cost: $50.
Skin Butter/Boosters: Prep for pigmentation. Cost: $25.
TikTok Handle: Brand-aligned. Cost: Free.
Tissues: For cleanup/blotting. Cost: $10.
Website Subscription: Via platforms like Squarespace. Cost: $15.
White Pencil for Predrawing: For various skin tones. Cost: $10.
The total for "Additional Essential Items" averages to $1,300.

5. Money Out Budget

This portion of the budget pertains to relevant expenses as you start attracting clients and considering expanding your services. These can be viewed as phase two investments.

Aftercare Products (Calming Skin Creams)

Initially, simple solutions like coconut oil may suffice. However, investing in specialized calming skin creams for aftercare is a valuable enhancement as your business grows. In the second phase, some artists even customize these creams with their brow business logos.

Bed Roll

A protective covering for the treatment bed is key for maintaining hygiene, becoming essential when you invest in your treatment bed.

Disposable Bed Covers

Single-use covers are crucial for keeping a clean and hygienic work area, especially once you have a dedicated treatment bed.

High-End PMU Machine

Upgrading to a superior PMU device for pigment implantation can significantly improve the quality of your services.

Power Supply (If Needed for Your Machine)

An effective power supply ensures your PMU machine operates smoothly, particularly with equipment upgrades.

Ring Light Lamp

Optimal lighting provided by a ring light lamp is crucial for precision in procedures, especially as you take on complex cases.

Saddle Stool on Wheels

A comfortable, mobile seating option becomes important as you establish a more permanent workspace.

Sharps Bin

A sharps bin is necessary to safely dispose of used needles and other sharp objects, especially in a fixed service location.

Tray on Wheels

A mobile tray is convenient for organizing and accessing tools efficiently in a stable workplace.

Treatment Bed

Investing in a high-quality bed or chair for client treatments is crucial when setting up a dedicated space for your services.

6. Strategy Explained

Irrelevance of Physical Location

In 2024, the importance of a physical location for a pigmentation artist has notably decreased. The time when a prime city center location assured steady business for powder brows and hairstrokes artists is past. Various studies have repeatedly affirmed this, making it inadvisable for a new artist to undertake the significant expense of renting a salon.

Basic Strategy in Five Steps

Step One. The Brand. Establishing a unique brand name and identity is crucial. Successful artists prioritize this, recognizing its impact even when seeking initial models for free or low-cost services. The modern approach includes finding an appealing brand name and securing a free domain using services like brandsnap.ai. Artists also often register a domain under their name, redirecting it to their brow brand site.
Step Two. Professional Logo and Website. Successful artists develop professional websites showcasing their brand logos using Squarespace, Wix, or Webflow and free logo creation tools. They typically use retouched training session photos. For professional photo retouching, they send their best images for edits, averaging around $5 per photo for magazine-quality results. The website content is often created with Chat GPT 4, drawing inspiration from other artists' sites for AI-enhanced content.
Step Three: Portfolio and Accounts. Instead of appearing as beginners, successful artists smartly engage with model candidates, offering services for a nominal fee or free. They also trade services with photographers for professional photos or use service gift cards. This strategy has proven highly effective.
Step Four: Social Media Promotion. With 20-30 professionally retouched photos, artists ensure their social media profiles (Instagram, TikTok) are appealing. They often create multiple images from a single session. Some initially buy a small number of followers, a practical tactic despite criticism. Early promotions usually include 40-60% discounts, drawing in many model candidates when combined with a professional brand and online presence.
Step Five: Deals with Salons. Securing model candidates, artists suggest a booking fee and collaborate with salons to determine optimal service times and locations. They either rent a bed for a day or pay per procedure, allowing them to explore different environments while growing their brand and portfolio. After 6-12 months of client base, brand development, and consistent growth, they consider renting a personal studio.

This strategy highlights a phased approach to building a successful PMU business, focusing on brand development and strategic investment.

7. Conclusions

Reframing the Overall Philosophy The traditional belief "if you build it, they will come" holds limited practicality in the PMU (Permanent Makeup) business. Success here relies not just on setting up a business but on strategic planning and understanding market demand. Aspiring PMU artists should focus on investments that directly attract and retain clients. This approach calls for careful budgeting, emphasizing expenses that offer real returns in client acquisition and business growth.

"Money In" and "Money Out" Budgets

Financial planning in the PMU industry is best approached through two categories: "Money In" and "Money Out" budgets.

"Money In" Budget. This foundational budget covers essential costs for launching and establishing your PMU business, like professional training and necessary tools. Averaging around $3,000, it focuses on investments crucial for income generation.
"Money Out" Budget. This budget is for later-stage investments, enhancing service quality and scope once you have a client base. It includes advanced PMU machines and treatment beds, among other tools, which, while valuable, aren't immediately essential.

Five-Step Action Plan for Getting Started

Brand Development. Start with a unique brand identity, including a memorable name and domain registration, to stand out in the competitive market.
Professional Online Presence. Use website builders and free logo tools to establish a professional online image with a well-designed website and retouched initial work images.
Building a Portfolio. Approach model candidates strategically for portfolio development, offering services at minimal costs or in exchange for professional photography.
Social Media Strategy. With a strong portfolio, focus on enhancing social media presence on platforms like Instagram and TikTok. Use strategic follower purchases and promotional discounts to expand the client base.
Collaborations and Expansion. Gradually expand by collaborating with salons and negotiating rent or per-procedure payment deals, transitioning from temporary setups to a permanent studio.

The path to a successful PMU business combines strategic financial planning, effective marketing, and gradual growth. By adhering to these guidelines, aspiring PMU artists can avoid the pitfalls of the outdated "if you build it, they will come" approach and establish a thriving business.