Will 2 separate business work?

[CiaraAnneM]

Hi all

After years of back and forth I have decided to finally take the leap and take some courses in lashes, brows and microblading. I am a qualified makeup artist already and haven’t been doing much with it (due to circumstances) but my passion is really for lashes and brows and always has been.

I hope this will make sense when I explain…. My MAIN goal and what I feel will hopefully be my full time career and biggest earner is SPMU microblading and eventually lip blush etc.

However I would also like to train and get my qualifications in lash lift and tint, lash extensions, brow wax and tint and also brow lamination. I think they would be a great addition to my portfolio of what I can do and what I can offer, they are consistent earners with people coming back regularly to get them done and also, I know I would enjoy doing them!

Learning and perfecting the skill of microblading will take a long time so my hopes were the lash lifts and extensions and brow laminations etc would be my stepping stone and money coming in whilst I perfect my craft with microblading.

But this is where I’m stuck. This is just my personal preference and opinion so I really hope I don’t offend anyone but I personally don’t like it when SPMU pages and businesses have a whole mash up of treatments on display on social media. I would much prefer a separate page, separate business almost where I showcase solely my SPMU without all the Russian lash pictures and brow lamination pictures inbetween. I just feel it looks more professional, however I obviously want to showcase and promote my lashes and brows!

Would having 2 different businesses, 2 different Instagram pages, 2 different names etc work?? I could always “tag” the other page in my bios to show people I do both, whilst still keeping them separate, but would it work? Has anyone else been in a similar scenario? What would you do if you were me?

I really hope I’ve explained myself properly. Thank you so much in advance! This may seem a silly question to some but it is keeping me up at night

 

[Trinity]

You can do whatever you want, nothing is permenant (fogive the pun)

Start with two seperate identities and see how it goes for a few months, if it works well then carry on, if it stalls or doesn't work the way you want it to then change it. With all kindness I think you're overthinking it in your excitement

I'm assuming when doing consultations, etc. you'll cross sell between the two services so I think there's a potential to lose and gain clients. You might lose them because they assume you don't do lashes, etc. from the SPMU pages and vice versa, but you won't know until you do it.

On my client record card I ask clients how they found my services, mostly because I offer a discount for a referral but also because it gave me a good indication early on what type of advertising was working or not. You need to listen to the clients when they tell you how they found you, what they were searching for and if the cross over between the two sites/identities works or is just confusing matters.

There's an argument to be made that a full menu of the services and treatments you offer is more likely to get your more 'add on' business but if you don't like that idea, it's your business to run as you chose, that's the joy of being self employed and running your own business.

Good luck, let us know how it goes

 

[CiaraAnneM]

You can do whatever you want, nothing is permenant (fogive the pun)

Start with two seperate identities and see how it goes for a few months, if it works well then carry on, if it stalls or doesn't work the way you want it to then change it. With all kindness I think you're overthinking it in your excitement

I'm assuming when doing consultations, etc. you'll cross sell between the two services so I think there's a potential to lose and gain clients. You might lose them because they assume you don't do lashes, etc. from the SPMU pages and vice versa, but you won't know until you do it.

On my client record card I ask clients how they found my services, mostly because I offer a discount for a referral but also because it gave me a good indication early on what type of advertising was working or not. You need to listen to the clients when they tell you how they found you, what they were searching for and if the cross over between the two sites/identities works or is just confusing matters.

There's an argument to be made that a full menu of the services and treatments you offer is more likely to get your more 'add on' business but if you don't like that idea, it's your business to run as you chose, that's the joy of being self employed and running your own business.

Good luck, let us know how it goes

Thanks so much for your response and input. You’re right, I am overthinking, I’m known for it!

I think it’s because I see the SMPU as more of a specialised, higher priced, a more “one off” service that I’d really like to showcase just that so it doesn’t get lost in a sea of lash pictures. Especially as it would take time for me to be busy with it and to build my reputation for it.

I’d want my lash page to be full of lots of photos and videos of beautiful eyelashes and laminated brows which clients usually come back for on a regular basis hence more photos and a busier looking page.

You’re right, I could start with the 2 and up sell inbetween. I could put each of the other pages in my bio to try and make it clear that I do both.

I just feel in the past when I’ve clicked on peoples pages who do lashes, or who do SMPU, and they have both on there the work it sort of gets lost amongst it all.

Im a perfectionist (hence why I want to get into SMPU ) so I really like clean, clear and concise looking pages!

I sound like abit of a nutcase I know. I just want to start as I mean to go on and give it my all. Thanks again!!!

 

[Trinity]

We're all on the edge of being perfectionists and nutcases, it goes hand in hand with the beauty industry, its our superpowers

 

[TheDuchess]

Trinity has given you great advice. My take would be to train first in all the beauty basics you are interested in. This will help you build up your confidence and client base as well as your skills. You can start add these to your existing make up services as soon as you feel ready.

Train in SPMU after you have acquired foundation skills and knowledge and gained a bit more experience carrying out services.

This way you will make good progress and not risk getting overwhelmed or disheartened after jumping in the deep end with big investments of time and money and a long wait until you can break even on your outlay.

Think of your regular repeat work as your funnel to help you develop and market your specialist services. You’ll have a large pool of clients who will tell their friends about you and you can pick up valuable word of mouth recommendations.

When you’re up and running consider having dedicated days/times for your SPMU services. That way you can avoid getting fully booked with bits and bobs and you can keep a consistent focus on SPMU work.

With your marketing - eventually you’ll have a website with dedicated pages to different services. You can curate your social media in the same way by using hash tags and being consistent in your posting patterns, use of frames/brand colours etc. Don’t forget that not all of your content will be visible as the algorithms will only show people content they like looking at.

Good luck and keep us posted.

 

[andrianalakess]

Yes, it is possible to run two separate businesses successfully. Many entrepreneurs own more than one business at once. Some people own a main business and a side business, while others have numerous full-fledged completely separate companies – and are thriving.

This means moving away from the concept of being a sole proprietor and, instead, pairing up with one or two qualified business partners. By sharing the demands of the second business with other owners, you reduce the physical, time, and mental demands that you have to take on personally.

If you want a third business, pick one that practically runs itself: For example, a property management company can be straightforward to oversee, and it requires very little of your time.

Use a time-blocking technique to map out your schedule. Being physically on-site at each location on the same days every week becomes a habit, helps you focus your attention, and allows you to meet face-to-face with staff members and vendors regularly

 

[Orchardmakeup]

I have been doing exactly what you are going to try for about 5 years now. I am a makeup artist, but I have branched out into microblading/permanent makeup. I started with everything one one page, but it can look messy, so I now have two pages. My only issue is that I am really busy now with both and I feel I don't have enough time to give 50% to each part of my business, so it can be tricky to spread yourself. I don't have the answer, as you have to try these things and see if it works.