In many towns and villages, women now want to look good and feel confident. Earlier, beauty parlours were only seen in cities. But today, small beauty parlours are opening in small towns and even villages. They are not very costly, and women can easily go for simple services like threading, haircut, bridal makeup, facials, or hair oil massage.
For a woman who wants to earn and start her own business, a beauty parlour is a very good option. It can be done in a small room, with small investment, and slowly it can grow. Let us understand how to start such a business step by step.
Why Beauty Parlour is a Good Business for Women
- Women customers are always there – for weddings, festivals, school functions, and daily grooming.
- Even in small villages, young girls and brides want to look good on special days.
- Investment is small compared to other shops.
- If you learn skills properly, customers will trust you and come again.
- You can also start from your own home.
How to Learn Beauty Parlour Work
Training is the most important step. Without training, customers will not be happy. Learning can be done in many ways:
1. Beauty Training Schools
In every state, there are small training schools where short courses are offered:
- Threading and eyebrow shaping
- Hair cutting and hair styling
- Mehendi design
- Bridal makeup
- Simple facials and skin care
- Hair oil massage and basic treatments
In Assam, for example, in Guwahati there are institutes like VLCC Institute, L’Oréal Academy, and also many small private parlour owners who give training. Courses can be 3 months, 6 months, or even 1 year, depending on how much you want to learn.
2. Government Skill Training
The Skill India Mission, PMKVY (Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana), and some state government programmes give free or low-cost training in beauty culture. Many NGOs also arrange beauty parlour training for women. After the course, they also give a certificate.
3. Apprenticeship
If there is a beauty parlour in your town, you can go and ask the owner to let you work as a helper for 6 months to 1 year. This way you learn directly from experience – how to treat customers, how to use tools, and how to manage a parlour.
Investment Needed
Starting a small beauty parlour does not need very big investment. You can start even with ₹50,000 to ₹1,00,000 if you do not have much.
Things to Buy:
- Mirror and chair with head rest
- Threading tools, scissors, combs
- Small beauty kit – facial creams, hair oils, bleach, mehendi cones
- Hair dryer, hair straightener
- Towels, apron, sterilizer box for tools
- Mehendi and bridal makeup box
If you want to grow big, you can later buy facial machines, steam machines, or modern chairs.
How to Arrange Money
- Self-saving – Many women save money from household expenses to start.
- SHG (Self Help Group) Loans – In Assam, many SHGs under NRLM (National Rural Livelihood Mission) give small loans for women to start businesses.
- MUDRA Loan – Under Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana you can get loans up to Rs10 lakhs. For parlour, even Rs50000 loan is enough to begin.
- Local Co-operative Banks – They also give small loans for women entrepreneurs.
License and Permission
For a very small parlour inside your home, you may not need a license in a village. But if you open in town with a shop board, then you should have:
- Shop and Establishment Certificate – From local municipal office or panchayat.
- GST (only if turnover is big) – Not needed in the beginning.
- Training Certificate – Good to display on the wall so that customers trust you.
Where to Open the Parlour
- Best place is near a busy market or bazaar where women come for shopping.
- It can also be at home, especially in small towns, where neighbours will first become customers.
- Make sure the room is clean, has mirror, and proper lighting.
How to Find Customers
- Start with family, friends, and neighbours.
- Tell them you are giving services at low price.
- Do special packages during Durga Puja, Eid, Bihu, Diwali, or marriage season.
- Distribute small pamphlets in the local bazaar.
- Give discount for school or college girls to attract them.
Employing Others
Once your parlour grows, you can hire another trained girl. Many young girls after training look for jobs. You can give them ₹5,000–₹8,000 salary, or commission per customer.
Common Problems in Starting a Beauty Parlour
- Customers sometimes doubt quality. Solution: show your training certificate, give them trial service.
- High competition in towns. Solution: focus on low cost, friendly behaviour, and neat work.
- Sometimes shortage of beauty products in small towns. Solution: buy in bulk from Guwahati, Silchar, or order online if possible.
- Loan approval delays. Solution: Apply through SHG or co-operative bank first, they are faster.
Success Story – From Small Room to Big Parlour
Many women in Assam have started from a single room and grown big. For example, Ruma Das from Nagaon started with ₹40,000 loan from SHG. She opened a small parlour near her home. At first, only neighbours came. But slowly, after doing good bridal makeups during Bihu, her name spread. Today she has three helpers and a big parlour in the market.
Her story shows that patience and good skill can bring success.
Last words
A beauty parlour is not only a way to earn money but also a way for women to become independent. With little training, some investment and government help any woman in a rural or semi urban area can start. Customers will always come, because looking good and feeling good is something every woman wants.
So if you are a woman dreaming of starting something of your own, this can be the right step. Begin small, learn well and slowly grow.