Business guide · Updated October 2026

How to Start a Salon Business in Kenya: Step-by-Step Guide (2026)

By Divine Mercy Kathagutari Technical Training Institute · 9 min read

Hair and beauty are among the most dependable service businesses in Kenya. People need their hair done every few weeks, and weddings, graduations, church events and festive seasons bring extra demand. With the right skills and a plan, a salon can give you a steady income and employ others. This guide walks you through each step.

Step 1: Get trained and certified

Clients return to the stylist they trust. Formal training teaches you cutting, styling, colouring, braiding, chemical services, hygiene and customer care, so you work safely and consistently. A recognised NITA/CDACC certificate also helps you win clients and employers. At DMKTTI you can study Hairdressing or Beauty Therapy, or both, and learn salon management as part of the course. Check the entry levels to find the one that fits your KCSE grade.

Step 2: Choose your salon model

• Mobile stylist: lowest cost, ideal for weddings and home visits.
• Home-based or single chair: low rent, good for building a first client list.
• Rented shop or shared space: more visibility and clients, but rent and utilities must be covered.
• Full salon or barbershop with staff: highest potential, requiring stronger management and capital.

Many successful owners move up these stages as their client list grows.

Step 3: Pick a location that brings clients

• Near your target clients: estates, schools, offices, markets or stages.
• Visible and safe, with easy access.
• Reliable water and electricity.
• Space for waiting clients, basins and storage.
• Rent you can pay even in a slow month.

Step 4: Register and get your permits

Requirements differ by county, so confirm locally before you open. In general you should:

• Register your business name or company as appropriate.
• Get a KRA PIN and understand your tax obligations.
• Obtain a county business permit.
• Meet public-health standards for premises, waste and sanitation.
• Open a separate account or till for the business, such as an M-Pesa Lipa na M-Pesa till, so you can track income.

Step 5: Buy equipment and stock

Start with what you need for your first services, and add more as income grows.

• Chairs, mirrors, wash basins and trolleys.
• Dryers, clippers, razors, scissors, combs and brushes.
• Capes, towels and sterilising equipment.
• Shampoos, conditioners, relaxers, dyes and styling products.
• Extensions, braiding hair and wigs if you offer them.

Buy quality basics from reputable suppliers, compare quotes, and avoid expired or unlabelled chemicals.

Step 6: Price your services properly

• List every service and the time and products it uses.
• Add your rent, utilities, transport and staff costs.
• Check what nearby salons charge.
• Set prices that cover costs and leave profit.
• Offer packages, such as braids with treatment, to increase each visit.

Step 7: Market your salon

• Take clear photos of your work, with client consent, and post them on WhatsApp Status, Facebook and Instagram.
• Create a Google Business Profile so people find you on Google Maps.
• Ask happy clients for referrals and reviews.
• Offer first-visit discounts or loyalty cards.
• Advertise bridal, graduation and holiday-season packages early.

Step 8: Run it professionally

• Keep tools sanitised and the floor clean, as hygiene builds trust.
• Book appointments and honour them.
• Record daily sales and expenses.
• Separate business money from personal money.
• Train and treat your staff well, and reinvest part of your profit.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Opening without enough working capital for the first months.
• Pricing too low to cover costs.
• Skipping hygiene or using unlabelled chemicals.
• Ignoring records, so you cannot tell if you are profitable.
• Stopping learning, while trends and techniques keep changing.

Launch checklist

• Certificate or training completed
• Location chosen and secured
• Business registered and permits obtained
• Equipment and stock purchased
• Prices set
• Social media and Google profile ready
• Daily records ready

Train to run your salon at DMKTTI

Divine Mercy Kathagutari Technical Training Institute, in Siakago, Embu County, trains hairdressers and beauty therapists through practical workshops and supervised industrial attachment, with NITA/CDACC-examined courses. We welcome applicants from every county in Kenya, with intakes in January, May and September.

Frequently asked questions

Apply Now