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Beginner’s Guide on Starting a Beauty & Wellness Business in Singapore
Whenever the topic of beauty and wellness pops up, the usual speaker would be a woman, whether young or old, the subject and its relevant matters reel off their lips like no one’s business. From haircuts to nail care to skincare treatments to massage and even meditation, the industry is constantly expanding without missing a heartbeat. Thus, there is always an opportunity of starting a beauty and wellness business in Singapore.
The average Singaporean woman spends up to forty percent of their income on beauty and wellness. Beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder, and many people define beauty in different ways. That said, it is essential to manage day-to-day stress with conscious decisions of expressing beauty and wellness. Healthy living is key to beautiful outcomes. When an individual is healthy from the inside, it will automatically shine through.
Women make up the more extensive consumer base of the beauty and wellness industry, but more men are coming aboard. People may think men are part of it as business owners or business partners. This notion could be true but to be passionate in a business. One needs to experience it. It is common to see men visiting beauty and wellness centers. There is no doubt SG company incorporation in this industry has a positive outlook. Here is the guide on starting a beauty and wellness business in Singapore, explaining the industry practice, business registration, licenses, and permits.
Choosing Beauty & Wellness
There are many types of beauty and wellness businesses to choose from. For example, a full service may consist of haircuts, nail spa, massage, facial and skin treatments, body treatments, and yoga or Pilates studio. However, once in a while, the body deserves a bit of tender, loving care, and a touch of beauty or wellness can always do more good than harm.
Hair Salons
A fresh hairstyle will do wonders for both the consumer and the industry. Most hair salons fall under this industry, and there is also a hair salon that offers make-up services to complement the entire look. A specialized hair salon may offer haircuts and hair treatments only, while others may include hair coloring and hairstyling. Hair salon owners could start the business by being certified hairdressers. Otherwise, a business owner can hire certified hairdressers and specialist stylists to offer more services. Both the former and latter business practice is allowed by the industry.
Mani-Pedi Salon
Others may opt for manicures or pedicures as a way to feel good about themselves. A specialist in personal grooming once said good nails speak a lot about an individual’s meticulousness. Thus, having well-polished nails may bring you more advantages than you would think. There are courses available in nail care that you could look into if you want to find a niche in providing such services.
The current industry practice is that the business owner should be certified by appointed schools. As for the business premise and interior, a nail care salon could operate as long as there is proper plumbing, ventilation, and space to ensure customers are comfortable. It is entirely up to the business owner to define comfort for customers. Previously businesses providing manicure and pedicure were regulated under the ME Act, but it has been removed from the Act since 2018 only if there is no massage in the service.
Skin & Body Beauty
Being beautiful is more than being attractive. It also works to increase self-esteem. Thus, people with problematic skin will opt for specialists in facial and skin treatments. It may not be a one-off treatment, but a series of treatments at facial beauty centers to get that flawless-looking skin. Specialists may also advise maintaining an excellent facial routine with specially formulated skincare products.
Besides facial treatments, a consumer could also be concerned about their body image. Body treatment centers are sprouting like mushrooms, which is considered necessary for those who can afford it. Some centers are licensed to conduct clinical management of body treatment, while others may utilize a non-invasive body treatment procedure. Both types will need to acquire a license under the ME Act. As for employees working on the premises, they should be well trained and certified as some of the methods may be new in the practice here.
Meditation & Relaxation
Not everyone may have the energy for exercising to ultimately reap its benefits. But yoga is another avenue of wellness that could help people in need. Stressful minds may need help to calm it down, and breathing techniques in yoga could help with that. Being mindful of what you think will emanate into what you do, or vice versa. Thus, it helps the mind, body, and soul to become one.
Yoga is a form of low-impact exercise with bountiful benefits. If you wish to enter such a niche, it is best to start with a yoga training course and be certified. You can do multiple micro-combinations with a yoga studio, such as offering essential oils to improve mood and spa therapy sessions to loosen tight muscles or traditional health supplements to support general health. If you wish to combine yoga with a spa session, be sure to acquire the massage establishment license under the ME Act.
Know Yourself Better
While the beauty industry practitioners are all hands-on when providing services, the wellness segment also offers self-administering products. A range of common products under the wellness umbrella includes consumable products for overall health, external ointment applications for massages, and relaxing activities. These products or services are generally used to supplement daily routines and improve the quality of living. Business owners of this segment must require the products to be certified safe for intended use by the Health Science Authority (HSA) in Singapore. Be it a health supplement or therapeutic essential oils, consumers have every right to report such products to the authority if their claims do not fit the bill.
These are some of the common beauty and wellness business segments you can choose when starting a beauty and wellness business in Singapore. Nevertheless, unique beauty and wellness centers are opening up in the country. Every one of these centers is catering to a niche market segment within the industry. As there are many people with different needs, beauty and wellness products or services may cater to them.
To know more about this industry, you can consult with top corporate service providers in Singapore.
Registering The Business
With all that explanation, here comes the next part of the guide. Everyone agrees that Singapore is a business haven. The government has made it easier and simpler for any business to register its enterprise. Given that, be sure that you have all the documents ready when you are registering your beauty parlor or wellness center. If you are used to the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA), it is the first step to registering your business. Otherwise, contact 3E Accounting to get you started. You can rest assured that all your business-related predicaments are in good hands. Once your business is registered with ACRA, you will receive a Unique Entity Number (UEN). Keep this number safe as you will need it to apply for licenses and permits for your beauty and wellness business.
Industry Licenses & Permits
Now comes the essential part of starting a beauty and wellness business in Singapore. Every industry in Singapore has its set of licensing and permits to regulate the businesses. The same applies to the beauty and wellness industry. For starters, if your business will provide massage or spa therapies to customers, you will need the Massage Establishment License from the Police Licensing and Regulatory Department (PLRD). There are several prerequisites that you need to strike off to ensure approval of the ME license, such as:
- At least 80 percent of the employees in your business premises should be accredited in Beauty Therapy Services from recognized schools
- The rest of the employees should acquire accreditation in Beauty Therapy Services from recognized schools within six months
- All employees must wear uniforms and be decently dressed
- Acquire approval from the PLRD to employ new workers in your business
- Acquire Case Trust Accreditation
- Urban Redevelopment Authority planning permission for propose use of premises as a ME
and many more.
The ME license also has two categories of licensing. The details of each licensing category may require meticulous review. There are also exemptions from needing the ME license. Thus, it is to help you with company registration in SG. It is advisable to engage with a corporate service provider in Singapore to ensure you get all supporting documents and certifications done right. The beauty and wellness industry in Singapore is growing and blooming.
