Luxe Nail Studio

Words in [brackets] are blanks you fill in with your own details when you adopt this sample in Supreme Plan AI.

Executive Summary

Luxe Nail Studio is an appointment-first nail studio in North Carolina. We offer manicures, pedicures, gel and acrylic services, nail art and waxing in a clean, calm space, and we sell a small line of nail care products. Our clients are busy people who want to be seen on time by a licensed technician and to know the tools were cleaned or thrown away.

The problem is simple. Many nail salons are walk-in only, with long waits and a different technician every visit, and clients cannot always tell how tools are cleaned. We book every visit in advance, keep a record of each client's preferences and follow written cleaning steps for every tool.

Here is what our numbers show. We expect sales of $100,620 in Year 1, growing to $363,280 by Year 5 as we add technicians and build a base of regular clients. We expect a loss of about $2,700 in Year 1 while we build our client list, then a profit from Year 2 (about $5,600), growing to about $42,900 by Year 5.

We need $75,000 in total. That covers $53,800 in startup costs (manicure tables, pedicure chairs, a sterilizer, the build-out, opening supplies, the lease deposit, insurance and licenses) and a cash cushion for the first months. I am putting in $25,000 of my own money, and I am asking for a $50,000 SBA loan.

I am Simone Parker, the owner. These numbers are estimates based on the assumptions listed at the end of this plan, not promises.

Company Description

Luxe Nail Studio will be a limited liability company (LLC) in North Carolina, owned by Simone Parker. An LLC is a business type that generally keeps your home and savings separate from the business's debts and lawsuits, although a lender may still ask for a personal guarantee. A business attorney or the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) can explain how it works in our state.

What we believe. Nails are a small luxury and a health matter. We keep every tool clean, we are honest about what each service takes, and we never rush a client.

What we offer:
- Manicures, pedicures and nail services. Classic and gel manicures, spa pedicures, acrylic and gel extensions and nail art, booked by appointment.
- Nail care retail products. Cuticle oil, hand cream, polish and care kits.
- Waxing and add-on services. Brow and lip waxing, paraffin treatments and nail repair.
- Later, as we grow: a membership plan and bridal parties. The numbers in this plan do not include these.

The space. In Year 1 we will lease a suite of about 900 square feet with two manicure tables, two pedicure chairs, a small retail display and a sanitation area. We budget $24,000 a year ($2,000 a month) for rent and utilities, and the plan assumes this grows about 8% a year.

Licenses and insurance. Nail technicians must hold a license in most states, and salons usually need a salon license and an inspection. Before I sign a lease I will ask the state cosmetology board exactly what the studio and each technician need, and I will not open or hire until I have the answer in writing. We will register the LLC with the state, get a business license and an EIN (the business tax number from the IRS, free at irs.gov) and carry general liability and professional liability insurance, property insurance and workers' compensation once we hire.

Where things stand today. This plan is my starting point. Before I sign a lease or buy equipment, I will ask at least 30 people who get nails done what they pay and what they dislike, visit at least 5 nearby salons, and line up at least 40 people who say they would book with us. If the numbers do not match this plan, I will change the plan before I spend money.

Problem & Opportunity

Getting nails done should be calm and safe.

1. Long waits. Walk-in salons can leave clients waiting for 30 minutes or more.
2. A different technician each time. Clients have to explain what they want again at every visit.
3. Uncertain cleanliness. Clients cannot always tell whether tools were cleaned or whether foot baths were cleaned between clients.
4. Unclear prices. Add-ons and nail art can change the final bill.
5. Hard to find a time. Good technicians are booked ahead, and clients lose time on missed bookings.

How we will find out if people want this before we spend money. I will ask at least 30 people about their last visit and what they paid, and ask at least 40 to say in writing they would book. Our Year 1 plan needs about 18 visits a week.

Products & Services

What we sell. We have three services and products, each priced simply.

1. Manicures, pedicures and nail services. The plan assumes an average of about $88 per visit in Year 1, rising to about $98 by Year 5. Polish, gel, files, liners and supplies cost about $9 per visit. We expect about 930 visits in Year 1 (about 18 a week), growing to about 2,840 a year by Year 5.
2. Nail care retail products. The plan assumes about $24 per item in Year 1, rising to about $28, with about $11 per item in cost. We expect about 275 items in Year 1, growing to about 1,160.
3. Waxing and add-on services. The plan assumes about $28 per service in Year 1, rising to about $32, with about $4 per service in supplies. We expect about 435 services in Year 1, growing to about 1,640.

Our prices. One price sheet lists each service, each add-on and nail art by level, so the price is known before the appointment.

How it works for a client:
1. The client books online and fills out a short health form that asks about allergies, skin conditions and medicines.
2. The client arrives and we check the nails and skin. We do not work on skin that is broken, infected or inflamed.
3. The technician explains each step. Files and buffers are single-use or cleaned and disinfected, and metal tools go through the sterilizer.
4. The client leaves with care tips and a reminder to rebook in two to three weeks.

Gross margin, explained. "Gross margin" is the share of each sale left after paying for polish, gel, files and products. Our plan shows about 87% in Year 1. That money pays the technicians, rent, software and other bills. Pay is counted separately, under payroll.

Market Analysis

Who will use us:
- Working adults who book regular manicures and pedicures every two to three weeks.
- People preparing for weddings, trips and events.
- Clients who want nail art or a gift certificate for a friend.

Where we will work. Clients within about 15 to 20 minutes of the studio. Parking and a pleasant location matter.

How we sized the plan. Our Year 1 plan needs about 18 visits a week, a little over 3 a day across the studio, which two people can serve without rushing. I will check the real number by asking local clients before spending money.

Season. Spring, summer sandal season, proms, weddings and the holidays are busy. The numbers show a yearly average.

Competitive Landscape

Other choices clients have:
1. Walk-in discount salons, which are fast and cheap but may have waits and different technicians.
2. Full-service spas, which are calm but expensive.
3. Chain nail salons with set prices.
4. Mobile technicians and home salons.
5. Doing it themselves at home.

How we will win clients: appointments, one technician who knows the client, clear prices, written cleaning steps and calm surroundings. These are promises we have to keep, and any competitor could make them too, so we will measure ourselves on them every week.

Marketing & Sales Strategy

How clients will find us.
- Instagram and TikTok photos of nail art, posted with the client's permission.
- A free Google business listing with photos and reviews, and online booking.
- A founding client offer for the first clients who book before opening.
- Local partners such as bridal shops, hair salons and gyms.
- A referral thank-you: a client who refers a friend gets a discount on her next visit.

Marketing budget. About $6,000 a year in Year 1 (about $500 a month), growing about 8% a year. The sign, website and photos are paid for from startup costs ($3,500).

Operations Plan

How the business runs day to day.

The space. A small waiting area, two manicure tables, two pedicure chairs with basins, a sanitation station and a small retail wall.

A normal day:
1. Open, check supplies and review the bookings and health forms.
2. Serve clients on a set schedule with buffer time between visits.
3. After each client, clean and disinfect the station, drain and clean the pedicure basin and wash hands.
4. Close, send reminders for tomorrow and restock.

Health and safety. We use single-use files and buffers or disinfect reusable items, sterilize metal tools in an autoclave, follow the state's rules for foot spas, keep the room ventilated, and keep products in labeled containers. We do not cut living skin, treat infections, fungus or other medical problems, and we suggest a doctor when we see a concern. We do not promise that any service will fix or prevent a medical condition.

Equipment. About $16,000 to start: manicure tables, pedicure chairs, a sterilizer and a reception desk and computer. We set aside about $3,000 a year after that to replace equipment.

Running costs in Year 1: rent and utilities about $24,000, booking software and card fees about $4,800, marketing about $6,000, insurance about $2,400, sanitation, laundry and supplies about $3,000, and accounting, licenses and legal about $2,400. That is $42,600 in all.

Payment. Clients pay by card or phone at the end of the visit, so what is owed to us is small.

Management & Organization

Who runs the business. Simone Parker, owner and lead nail technician. As owner I will serve clients, manage the schedule, buy supplies, train technicians and handle the money. I plan to pay myself $38,000 a year in salary.

The team. Pay figures include payroll taxes and workers' compensation insurance.
- Nail technician (full-time): none in Year 1, one in Year 2, two in Year 3 and three in Years 4 and 5, at about $32,000 a year each.
- Nail technician (part-time): none until Year 3, one in Years 3 and 4 and two in Year 5, at about $18,000 a year each.
- Front desk (part-time): one starting in Year 4, at about $17,000 a year.

We hire licensed technicians, confirm every license before the first client and train everyone on the same cleaning steps.

People who will help us: a bookkeeper or tax preparer, an insurance agent who understands salons, a business attorney for a one-time review of the lease and our client forms, and a free mentor from SCORE or the Small Business Development Center (SBDC).

Milestones Narrative

Our goals and when we plan to reach them.
- Before opening (4 to 6 months ahead): confirm license and inspection rules with the state, ask at least 30 people about nail visits and line up at least 40 who say they would book, register the LLC and get an EIN, open a business bank account, get insurance and equipment quotes, find a suite, have an attorney review the lease and set up booking software. Sign the lease only after the licensing answer and the client list are in hand.
- Year 1: open with the owner and about 18 visits a week, $100,620 in sales and a loss of about $2,700.
- Year 2: add our first full-time technician, with about 1,350 visits a year, $153,550 in sales and a profit of about $5,600.
- Year 3: two full-time technicians and a part-time technician, with about 1,980 visits a year, $234,360 in sales and a profit of about $16,700.
- Year 4: three full-time technicians and a front desk helper, with about 2,590 visits a year, $318,500 in sales and a profit of about $31,900.
- Year 5: grow to about 2,840 visits a year with a team of seven, $363,280 in sales and a profit of about $42,900.
Growth depends on booking and keeping regular clients and hiring licensed technicians, so treat the later years as goals, not promises.

What we check every week: visits booked and kept, no-shows, average ticket, rebooking rate, retail sales per visit, reviews and cash in the bank.

Funding Request

How much we need and how we will use it. Total we are raising: $75,000.

How we got that number. The Funding Need Calculator in this plan adds up three things:
- Startup costs of $53,800, listed item by item in the Startup Costs section: $3,600 for manicure tables, stools and lamps, $6,400 for pedicure chairs with spa basins, $2,200 for autoclave sterilizer and sanitation station, $3,800 for reception desk, computer and card reader, $6,500 for opening gels, polishes, acrylics and retail products, $18,000 for flooring, lighting, plumbing and decor, $5,600 for lease deposit and first month of rent, $900 for business and cosmetology-related licenses and permits, $2,100 for legal and accounting setup, $3,500 for sign, website and photos, and $1,200 for first insurance payment.
- A cash cushion of about $20,200: about 3 months of running costs. Our cash stays above zero in every year of the plan, but lenders still want a cushion in the bank for slow weeks and surprises. They call this "working capital."
- Together that comes to about $74,000, rounded up to the nearest $500: $74,000.
We are raising $1,000 more than that, $75,000 in all, to leave extra room for loan payments in the first years and for rent and pay before the schedule is full.

Where the money comes from:
- My own money: $25,000.
- Amount requested as a loan: $50,000.

Kind of funding we are looking for. An SBA 7(a) small loan through a local bank or community lender. SBA Microloans, which go up to $50,000 through nonprofit lenders, are another place to ask; their repayment times are usually shorter, so the monthly payment would be higher. Put any agreement with a lender, family member or friend in writing.

How we will pay it back. We expect a loss of about $2,700 in Year 1 while we build our client list, then a profit from Year 2 (about $5,600), growing to about $42,900 by Year 5. With this funding, the business has money in the bank at the end of every year of the plan, and the lowest year-end balance is about $55,800, at the end of Year 1. The loan is planned at 12.75% interest over 10 years, so payments of about $739 a month (about $8,870 a year) are already included in our cash flow. We chose 12.75% as a cautious planning rate. Ask the lender for the real rate, which may be lower or higher.

What we are offering the lender: our equipment as collateral (something the lender can claim if the loan is not repaid) and my personal guarantee (my promise to repay from my own money if the business cannot).

A smaller first step, if needed. If we cannot raise the full amount right away, we can start smaller and grow into this plan:
- Phase 1: start as a single licensed technician renting a station in an existing licensed salon (check the rules), taking about 10 visits a week while keeping your current job. Startup can be roughly $3,000 to $5,000 for tools, supplies, insurance and a booking page. Get your own quotes.
- Phase 2: once you are booked three weeks ahead, lease a small studio, hire a technician and follow this plan.
To plan the smaller start, make a copy of this plan (use Duplicate) and lower the numbers to match.

All numbers in this plan are estimates. We will update them as real results come in.

Appendix Notes

Documents to attach before you send this plan:

- Your resume (one page is fine) and any licenses or training certificates.
- A personal financial statement (a list of what you own and what you owe; lenders usually provide a form).
- Business registration papers and your EIN (your business tax number from the IRS, free at irs.gov).
- Proof of insurance, or a quote.
- Your price sheet, health form and a written cleaning procedure.
- Proof of your technician license, or the board's written answer.
- A letter or quote for the space, and the lease once you have it.
- Quotes for the tables, chairs and sterilizer.
If you don't have any of this yet, no worries - let's continue.

The assumptions behind our numbers (change them in the Financials section to match your own):
- Manicures, Pedicures and Nail Services: about $88 per visit in Year 1, rising to $98; about $9 per visit in direct costs, rising to $10; about 930 visits in Year 1, growing to 2,840.
- Nail Care Retail Products: about $24 per item in Year 1, rising to $28; about $11 per item in direct costs, rising to $13; about 275 items in Year 1, growing to 1,160.
- Waxing and Add-On Services: about $28 per service in Year 1, rising to $32; about $4 per service in direct costs, rising to $5; about 435 services in Year 1, growing to 1,640.
- Pay: Owner / Lead Nail Technician $38,000 (1/1/1/1/1); Nail Technician (full-time) $32,000 (0/1/2/3/3); Nail Technician (part-time) $18,000 (0/0/1/1/2); Front Desk (part-time) $17,000 (0/0/0/1/1). The numbers in parentheses are how many people we plan to have in Years 1 through 5. Pay figures are yearly and include payroll taxes and workers' compensation.
- Other yearly costs in Year 1: studio rent & utilities $24,000, booking software & card fees $4,800, marketing $6,000, business insurance $2,400, sanitation, laundry & supplies $3,000, and accounting, licenses & legal $2,400. These grow between 5% and 15% a year as the business grows.
- Clients pay at the end of the visit by card or phone, so what is owed to us is small. At the end of Year 1 about $1,006 (1% of Year 1 sales) is card payments or gift certificate sales still on the way to our bank.
- Tax rate: 21%.
- Every dollar amount is an estimate. Replace them with your own quotes and research.

Startup Costs