Ultimate Guide to Start A Beauty Salon in Dubai
If you are planning to start a Beauty Salon in Dubai, then you have taken the right decision. Wanna know why?
The beauty and personal care market in Dubai is expected to generate a revenue of US$1.14 billion by 2023, with an annual growth rate of -1.48% (CAGR 2023-2027).
This energetic market is being driven by the Cosmetics and Skin Care segments and influenced by factors such as young consumers, social media, internationality, and eCommerce.
To successfully establish a beauty salon business in this ambitious market, it is imperative to have a promising plan in place. Developing a promising business plan that takes into account market trends, consumer behavior, and financial projections is crucial for any entrepreneur looking to enter the beauty salon industry in Dubai.
In this blog post, we will discuss how you can not only start a Beauty Salon in Dubai but also provide some of the greatest techniques for growing your business. Everything is shared, from the licensing to the marketing and everything in between. So make sure to read all the way through.
7 Steps To Start a Beauty Salon Business in Dubai
So far, I hope you understood how profitable this Salon & personal care industry is in Dubai. Now we will discuss How you can start your Beauty Salon Business in 7 easy steps.
Step 01: Choosing the Location for your Salon – Freezone Or Mainland
In Dubai, we have 3 different locations where businesses can operate. They are Freezone, Mainland & Offshore locations.
All these locations operate within UAE and have their own rules & regulations. For example, In Dubai, there are 43+ Freezone Locations. Each location operates within its own set of rules & regulations. The benefit of operating a business in a freezone location is you can have 100% ownership. But the only drawback is, you are only allowed to do Business within that Freezone and not in the entire Dubai or UAE. For A Beauty Salon, Freezone is not an Ideal location.
So now, we can move to our next best option, i.e, Mainland Company.
Mainland Companies are entitled to operate anywhere in Dubai. But you will not be the 100% owner. For Mainland companies, you are required to have a Local sponsor who holds 49% of your Company ownership. Although they don’t have any say, they are entitled to receive a certain fixed amount as per the LSA.
Another core difference between Freezone & Mainland companies is that you are obliged to have a local shop or office in a Mainland location while it is just an option in Freezone.
Step 02: Choosing Your Business Name & Register the Name
Since it is clear now that you need to choose a Mainland Location, now comes the next step, i.e Choosing a Name for your Salon.
As mentioned earlier, there are many salons & parlors in Dubai, needless to say, all are in high demand. But Salons with Unique and Catchy names are not only memorable but also drive customers to your Salon.
To name your Salon in Dubai, you need to have at least 3 Trade names as options and submit them to the Department of Economic Development (DED). The DED verifies the Trade names that you have submitted and approves them based on availability.
The most important point to note here while choosing the Trade name is the guidelines, DED has laid certain rules & regulations for choosing the trade name. These guidelines include that No trade names must include religion, race, or any kind of abusive words. Make sure to check our article which outlines all the latest trade name guidelines in UAE.
Step 03: Signing the Memorandum of Association (MoA)
Once your Trade Name is Approved, you can move to the next step in your Business Formation, i.e, Signing a Memorandum of Association.
This Memorandum of Association is a Legal document that outlines all the objectives, company structure, profit sharing, Income structure, Marketing Strategies, and other Management of your Business.
While drafting your MoA, make sure you are aware of the local Rules & regulations of Dubai. Understanding these laws will help you structure your Parlor in a way that you can protect from any legal charges. If you are not aware of the Business Rules & Regulations of Dubai, then I highly recommend you to read this article on Latest Business Rules & Regulations in Dubai.
Step 04: Renting a Salon Shop
Now it’s time for you to choose a shop or location to set up your Salon. Remember that the location you choose to set up your Salon needs to follow certain Technical Guidelines in terms of Design, Layout, lighting, Equipment, Ventilation & Hygiene. Don’t worry if you are not sure of any of these. We have covered everything in the later part of this article.
However, while choosing a location for your salon, make sure you select a place where your ideal audience is present. This you can know by identifying where major salons are located and how they are operated.
Step 05: Getting the Required Approvals
After choosing the location, now is time for you to send the layout and design for approval to the Dubai Municipality Department.
Additionally, you need to get approval from Health & Safety Department confirming that the Location is safe to operate.
Step 06: Obtaining the License
Once you have got all the needed approvals from all the departments, now it’s time for you to Apply for your Professional License.
In Dubai, for Salon Business, there are 2 types of License:
- Women’s Salon License
- Men’s Salon License
If you plan to provide your Salon services to both Men & Women, then you can apply for both licenses together.
If you are choosing a Women’s Salon License, then you are permitted to provide:
- Beauty Services
- Hair services
- Cosmetic Treatments and much more
However, For Men Salon License, you will be provided with Hair related & Cosmetic treatments.
If you are not sure which license to apply for, then ensure to contact us, We have helped 100’s of Entrepreneurs like you start their Businesses in Dubai. Our Consultation call is totally free and we provide everything you need to know before you set up your Salon in Dubai.
Step 07: Requirements for Beauty Salon License in Dubai
Now we have come to the final step in setting up your beauty Salon in Dubai. This step ensures that you meet all the requirements of a Beauty Salon License.
Please note that oftentimes, the license for such activities is issued within 24 hours or less. But very few cases are reported where it may take more than days and weeks. The reason for this delay is non-compliant with the rules & guidelines.
To avoid the delay, follow these requirements for Beauty Salon License in Dubai:
- Placing a Sign Board in front of the Salon
- Clean & Ergonomically Fit Furniture
- Pre- Installed Water Heater
- Dressing Chairs must be 3 meters wide & 3.5 meters long
- Floor to ceiling distance should be 2.3 meters or more
- All cosmetics & products must be neatly arranged on shelves or in a designated location
- Separate Designated locations should be Beauty treatments, Hair services, Salon Services & Hair removal services with each area being not less than 2.5*1.5 meters.
- Final Proof materials, safety precautions, and a Separate washing area for towels, Sanitized equipment, disposable masks & gloves and etc.
Now that you have understood the steps to start a Beauty Salon in Dubai, now let’s see the Documents Required to apply for a Beauty Salon License in Dubai.
Documents Required to Apply for Beauty Salon License in Dubai
Here is the list of Documents that are required for you to submit to get a Beauty Salon License in Dubai:
- Your Passport Copy
- Your Visa Copy
- Your Photo Copy & Contact Information
- Shareholder’s passport, Visa, Photo & Contact Information
- Signed Local Sponsor Agreement
- Trade Name Certificate
- Memorandum of Association
- Tenancy Contract or Ejari
- Any Mortgage Documents
- Location Approval reports from Dubai Municipality Planning Section and Health & Safety Division
Types of Beauty Salons in Dubai
Undoubtedly, there are ONLY 2 Types of Beauty Salons in Dubai. They are ladies Beauty Salon & gents Beauty Salon. In a bit, we will dig deeper into how these two are different from each other:
Ladies Salon in Dubai:
As the name suggested, it is only for ladies. In this ladies Beauty Salon, you are licensed to carry Beauty services for women of all types & requirements. These services include:
- Hair Cut
- Hair wash
- Hair extensions
- Facial of all types
- Nail treatments
- Waxing & hair removals
- Nail extensions & lash Extensions
- Cosmetic treatments like Microblading, Microshading, Lip tattoos, Blush, etc.
- Spa & Other wellness treatments
Gents Salon in Dubai
On the Other hand, Gents Salon in Dubai, offer a range of service for Men of all types & requirements. The permitted services include:
- Hair Cut & Hair Coloring
- Beard Grooming
- Shaving
- Facial & Massage for Nech, head & shoulder
- Nail care services excluding extensions
Although both these Salons should follow the Dubai Municipality Planning & Safety rules, the interior, and other products can vary according to their client base.
Cost of Setting up a Beauty Salon in Dubai:
As we always say, the final cost differs on multiple factors such as location, equipment, furniture, rent & hiring staff. But if you are searching to find out the cost of obtaining a License in Dubai, then it will be approximately AED 28,000 or more.
Please note, the above cost is only for the license excluding any other additional charges to operate your Business.
Before we end this article, We would like to share with you a few tips on running your Successful Salon in Dubai.
Tips to Run a Successful Beauty Salon in Dubai
1. Choose a prime location: Select a location that is easily accessible and visible to your target market. Consider the foot traffic, parking facilities, and competition in the area.
2. Hire skilled staff: Your staff is your biggest asset, so hire skilled and experienced professionals who can deliver high-quality services. Invest in their training and development to ensure they stay up-to-date with the latest trends and techniques.
3. Offer a range of services: Offer a wide range of services to cater to the diverse needs of your customers. Keep up with the latest trends and technologies in the industry to stay ahead of the competition.
4. Maintain a high standard of hygiene: Ensure that your salon is clean, hygienic, and well-maintained. Follow strict hygiene protocols to prevent the spread of infections and diseases.
5. Build a loyal customer base: Build strong relationships with your customers by providing personalized services, offering loyalty programs, and gathering feedback to continuously improve your services.
6. Use social media for marketing: Use social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter to showcase your work, promote your services, and engage with your customers. Use targeted advertising to reach new customers and build brand awareness.
7. Stay compliant with regulations: Stay up-to-date with the regulations and laws related to the beauty industry in Dubai. Ensure that your salon license is renewed, and your staff is trained and certified to perform the services they offer.
Start your Beauty Salon in Dubai with VR1 Global Business Setup Consultancy
We have come to the end of our article. I hope this article, gave you a clear idea of How to not only obtain your Salon License in Dubai but also taught you how to run it successfully.
If you are still concerned or confused at any stage and need consultation, you can contact our Business Setup Experts.
VR1 Global Business consultancy is one of the most trusted and experienced Business setup consultancies in Dubai.
We provide the best services for Small, Medium & Large Businesses that are planning to operate in Dubai, UAE.
By becoming our client we can guarantee you that you will get a clear view of the Dubai Market, and growth opportunities as well as the opportunity to connect with successful entrepreneurs without any kind of hassle and trouble.
Contact our Business setup expert for additional guidance on starting your Beauty Salon in Dubai
