Start, Improve & Grow your cosmetology business
You’re ready to make the world more beautiful. We help make your business more successful.
Norcal SBDC presents:
Beauty & Barber Boss: A 6-Week Training For Beauty & Barber Businesses
Ready to launch or grow your cosmetology-related business?
Beauty & Barber Boss is a no-cost, online training series providing essential business education, resources, and personalized support to help you start, improve, and grow your cosmetology-related business (including hair, nail, makeup, barber, skincare)!
You’ll finish the program with the knowledge, tools, and confidence to make your business a success. This includes having a plan specific to your business needs. Upon successful completion, you will also receive a certificate of completion.
Beauty Boss meets 6 Mondays (attendance 5 out of 6 sessions required): 5/18, 6/1, 6/8, 6/15, 6/22 and 6/29, 11:00am-1pm (no class on 6/25).
The program includes no-charge one-on-one support with an SBDC Business Advisor to help you as needed.
Join this 6-week tuition-free program with a cohort of other like-minded individuals.
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS:
Your business or potential business must be located in the Norcal SBDC network. This region includes the following counties: Alameda, Alpine, Amador, Butte, Calaveras, Colusa, Contra Costa, Del Norte, El Dorado, Glenn, Humboldt, Lake, Lassen, Marin, Mendocino, Modoc, Napa, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Sacramento, San Francisco, San Joaquin, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Shasta, Sierra, Siskiyou, Solano, Sonoma, Sutter, Tehama, Trinity, Yolo, and Yuba Counties. If your business or potential business is located outside of this area, you will be contacted by the Norcal SBDC to learn more about our services.
Your business is not eligible to participate if it includes cannabis or cannabis-based CBD products, adult entertainment, gambling, or is a non-profit.
Save the date!
The next cohort begins May 18, 2026.
Application deadline is May 16, 2026.
Are you a fit? Apply by May 16.
Here’s what you’ll learn in 6 weeks…
Week 1: The Basics
- Types of barber & beauty services
- Choosing your niche in the industry
- Overview of legal matters: entity types, business license, professional license, commercial insurance, business bank accounts, etc.
- Overview of how to write a business plan
Week 2: Getting Started
- Overview of commercial leasing and negotiations, zoning and permits based on the location of your business
- Sola suites
- Assessing business equipment & supplies
- Obtaining and managing your inventory
Week 3: Running Your Business
- Operations, hygiene, and cleanliness
- Managing appointments and inventory
- Pricing your services and products
- Getting paid – POS systems
- Financial management tools
- HR essentials – employees vs. contractors
Week 4: Marketing Your Business
- Identifying your target market
- Choosing and communicating your market niche
- Effective marketing techniques
- Online essentials, including website and social media
- Customer service skills – finer points of customer service
- AI tools
Week 5: Navigating the Board of Cosmetology and Understanding PBA
Representatives from the Board of Cosmetology & Barbering and the Professional Beauty Association (PBA) will give you insights about the licensing process, compliance, what to do in case of an inspection, and more. You’ll have time to ask questions specific to your business in the Q&A.
Week 6: The Cost of Doing Business
- Determining your start-up costs
- Determining your on-going costs
- Financing a start-up or expanding your business
- Financial management
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Beauty Boss for?
Great question! This program is designed for any entrepreneurs in the wide range of cosmetology industries.
- Barbers and hair stylists
- Estheticians, and make-up artists
- Nail technicians
- Spa professionals, skincare product entrepreneurs, and more
If you are uncertain or have any questions, contact training@norcalsbdc.org
Spaces are limited, sign up today!
What’s included in Beauty Boss:
- 6-Week online training
- Insights and best practices from guest speakers — industry experts who share their experience and wisdom
- One-on-one advising with an SBDC advisor
What are the requirements to participate?
- Attending 5 out of 6 of the required workshops is mandatory, as is completing a mini business plan to guide you with your next steps.
- You can also meet one-on-one (online) with an Business Advisor who can advise you on specific aspects of your business and provide needed support to start, improve, and grow your business.
- Your business is not eligible to participate if it includes cannabis or cannabis-based CBD products, adult entertainment, gambling, or is a non-profit.
- Your business or potential business must be located in the Norcal SBDC network. This region includes the following counties: Alameda, Alpine, Amador, Butte, Calaveras, Colusa. Contra Costa. Del Norte, El Dorado, Glenn, Humboldt, Lake, Lassen, Marin, Mendocino, Modoc, Napa, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Sacramento, San Francisco, San Joaquin, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Shasta, Sierra, Siskiyou, Solano, Sonoma, Sutter, Tehama, Trinity, Yolo and Yuba Counties. If your business or potential business is located outside of this area, you will be contacted by the Norcal SBDC to learn more about our services.
I’m still completing my cosmetology education; can I join the Beauty Boss program?
Yes, but if it is too soon or you feel overwhelmed, you will have the opportunity to take Beauty Boss at a later date and/or work with the SBDC on your business.
