Hi Abbie12,
I left my salon job 18 months ago and have been mobile ever since and loving it! I can earn in 1-3 clients exactly the same if not more what I earnt in a day whilst employed. Being your own boss is more work but totally worth it!
Firstly please make sure that you take out proper insurance before starting. Mine cost just under £40 a year for hair only.
I use word of mouth and google for advertising. Set up a business on google, you can upload pictures and all your prices using the Google MyBusiness App, which is free
I also got some business cards printed and also flyers with my price list. And tell everyone! My family has a window cleaning business and my Dad is continually 'dropping' it into conversation with his customers
This is my portable backwash:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Large-Ad...576345?hash=item3b4e4a8259:g:BMkAAOSwcylfXI~g
It detaches from stand so transports very easily. I take a bucket for the hose to go into and empty it in the client's sink or toilet. It's height adjustable too, which has been useful in the past. It is worth every single penny, and will set you apart from all the other mobile hairdressers in the area who don't use one. For water I either use their showerhead or fill a washing up bowl with water and use a jug. That way I can do complete services without them needing to move (an important thing for me as I specialise in limited mobility/disabled/housebound clients).
Prices: Lots of mobile hairdressers seem to charge less than salon rates for their services. Why, why, WHY?! You many not have overheads, but you still have to bring everthing, wash all towels etc, pay for petrol and you're coming at their convenience! Resist the temptation to start cheap. DON'T UNDERSELL YOURSELF!
Products: Don't buy everything in the suppliers. I brought a few products to get me going. Every colour client has a patch test and consultation prior, so I take my colour chart and just buy the colours/products as needed. At first it will feel like your outgoings outweigh your income - bear with it, it WILL even out!
Lastly please be aware that it will be slow going at first, it is going to take months to build a steady round so factor that in to your finance situation. But don't give up because you'll not regret it at all! ☺