Startup cost
$500–$3k
TRUiC Business Ideas
How to Start a Personal Styling Business
Decision Snapshot
Personal Styling
Idea Score
65
Profit margin
21%
Break-even
4 mo–12 mo
Time to launch
12 wk–36 wk
Demand trend
Stable
5-yr failure rate
—
Capital intensity
Low
Time commitment
Full time
Part 1 - How to start a Personal Styling business - Background
A personal stylist helps to perfect the image of a client. The services of a stylist may be required before a major event or even be incorporated into daily life for certain clients. The role of a personal stylist includes handling hair, makeup, fashion, and anything else related to the image of a client. This business is a vital part of any community as it helps individuals achieve success in an increasingly image-conscious world.
You may also be interested in additional low cost business ideas.
Our guide is in 3 parts:
- Part 1 - How to start a Personal Styling business - Background
- Part 2 - Our planner tool to see if this idea is the right fit for you
- Part 3 - Action plan to get started
What are the costs involved in opening a Personal Styling Business?
Perhaps the most attractive thing about opening such a business is that it costs so little. Many personal stylists meet their clients at the clients’ home or business, so you do not need to pay for any expensive overhead. Ultimately, you can start this business for around $3,000. Of that, $500 should go towards a professional website, $2,000 should go towards local advertising (via newspapers, radio stations, etc.), and $500 should go towards online advertisement. The biggest early obstacle is to get your name out there, which is why most of the initial money is going towards advertisement.
What are the ongoing expenses for a Personal Styling Business?
A key factor of this business is that there are almost no ongoing expenses. For instance, you will spend about $100 a year maintaining your website, and you will pay varying amounts driving around and meeting clients. Similarly, you will pay varying amounts for any makeup or hair care products you need for a particular client’s needs. However, you will typically either charge the client for those costs or adjust your prices to reflect those costs, so these do not cut into your bottom line.
Who is the target market?
While many people will want your services, the chief market is young professionals. These are up-and-coming people for whom image may be a deciding factor in both their professional and romantic aspirations.
How does a Personal Styling Business make money?
You will ultimately decide whether you wish to bill clients by the hour or to bill them by session.
How much can you charge customers?
How much you charge depends on your experience, the client’s needs, and your business model. If you charge hourly rates, you’ll likely start out charging $20 to $50 an hour or $150 to $200 or so for a session (which may last most of a day). As you grow in experience, you may consider raising your rates (it’s not unreasonable for a professional stylist to charge over $100 per hour and $1,000 or more a day), but you should also keep the local economy in mind: you don’t want to price yourself out of business.
How much profit can a Personal Styling Business make?
It’s difficult to assess how much profit you can make, as there are unknown factors such as how many clients you will have and what you will be charging them. Someone charging $50 per hour who manages to work thirty hours per week, for instance, can easily make $78,000, and the lack of significant overhead means that the majority of this is profit. You can also supplement your business by advertising services such as personal shopping and even creating a blog about your experience in which things like referral links help drive your profits.
How can you make your business more profitable?
As mentioned above, you can become more profitable by embracing side business opportunities that range from personal shopping to blogging. You can (and should) raise your rates as time goes on and your experience grows. Finally, you should consider expanding the area you serve: someone who is willing to service several cities in the area will inevitably build more clients than someone serving only one city.
Day-to-Day and Growth
What happens during a typical day at a Personal Styling Business?
Your exact daily activities may vary based on the changing needs of diverse clients. Generally, however, you will meet with clients for an initial consultation, agree on a particular look and style, and then facilitate the client’s style makeover. To this end, you may need to shop for clothes, makeup, and other supplies, and then help the client with everything from makeup application to fashion coordination in order to perfect their look.
What are some skills and experiences that will help you build a successful Personal Styling Business?
As mentioned before, any previous personal or professional experience in the fields related to a personal styling business are very beneficial. This includes any formal educational experience in these categories as well. Finally, being part of a network that includes cosmetic stores and related businesses can help provide an opportunity for cross-promotion and brand awareness early on.
What is the growth potential for a Personal Styling Business?
The growth potential of this business is decent, with the Bureau of Labor Statistics estimating that the related fields of hairdressing and cosmetology are expected to grow by ten percent between 2014 and 2024. This also gives you a kind of marketing edge as well, as you can point out to prospective clients that a visit from you is like a visit from three different specialists rolled into one.
What are some insider tips for jump starting a Personal Styling Business?
If possible, practice your personal styling skills on friends and family before starting your own business. Try to get consent from some early clients to create very striking “before/after” images that you can advertise with to show how you can transform someone’s image. Consider building relationships with things like local clothing and makeup stores so that they promote your business and you steer clients towards those businesses.
How and when to build a team
The nature of this business means you are likely to keep doing it solo: the appearance of having a personal stylist is a large part of your brand and appeal. However, if you become successful enough (and busy enough), you may consider hiring other stylists to work under your banner.
Part 2 - Is a Personal Styling business the right fit for you?
Business Evaluation & Strategy Tool
We'll walk you through the four pillars every business needs: Points of Leverage, Marketing Strategy, Financial Model, and Personal Compatibility. At the end you'll see a personalized report and your action plan below will be tailored to your answers.
Step 1 of 4 — Points of Leverage
Every viable business has natural advantages. Below are common leverage points across four categories. Pick the ones that apply to your Personal Styling business. We've pre-suggested a few based on your idea — review and adjust.
Step 2 of 4 — Marketing Strategy
Without a way to connect with customers, even great businesses fail. Pick the channels you plan to use to reach your customers.
Step 3 of 4 — Financial Model
Enter your monthly baseline costs — the minimum overhead to keep the business running. Then we'll calculate how many sales per month you need to break even.
Step 4 of 4 — Personal Compatibility
A business that doesn't fit your life will fail no matter how good the numbers look. Tell us how this business fits you.
Your Personal Styling Evaluation Report
Complete the four pillars and your personalized summary will appear here.
Points of Leverage
Marketing Strategy
Financial Model
Personal Compatibility
Part 3 - Action plan to launch your Personal Styling business in 90 days
Nine concrete steps to take you from idea to open business, grouped into 30-day phases. Complete the planner above and we'll highlight what's most important for your situation.
First 30 days — Foundation
-
Form your legal entity
An LLC keeps your personal assets separate from business debts and lawsuits — the most common reason small business owners choose this structure. Sole proprietorships and partnerships do not provide this protection.
-
Get an EIN and register for taxes
Apply for your free Employer Identification Number through the IRS, then register for any state or local taxes that apply to your business (sales tax, franchise tax).
-
Open a business bank account and credit card
A dedicated business account is required to maintain personal asset protection. Mixing personal and business finances ('piercing the corporate veil') can void your LLC's liability shield.
-
Set up business accounting
Recording expenses and income from day one makes tax filing easier and lets you see when the business is actually profitable. Use software (QuickBooks, Wave) or a part-time bookkeeper.
Days 30–60 — Compliance & Risk
-
Get permits and licenses
State and local requirements vary widely. Brick-and-mortar businesses typically need a Certificate of Occupancy; service businesses may need specific professional licensing; food businesses need health permits.
-
Get business insurance
General Liability Insurance is the most common starting point. If you'll have employees, most states require Workers' Compensation. Specific industries need additional coverage (product liability, professional liability, etc.).
Days 60–90 — Launch
-
Define your brand
Your brand is how customers perceive and remember you. A clear name, logo, and visual identity make every later marketing decision easier and protect you legally as you grow.
-
Create your business website
Every legitimate business needs a website. Social media pages are not a substitute — you don't own the platform. Modern website builders mean you can launch a clean site in a weekend without a developer.
-
Set up your business phone system
A dedicated business number keeps your personal life private, makes the business look legitimate, and lets you route calls professionally. Cloud phone services start under $20/month.