hi SammyJ Welcome.
Your idea isn't very different to starting up a Reflexology or Podiatrist business. It's easy to market a "niche" business and it's easy to take photos of Pedicures: set up, polish choices, pretty feet in sandals, close-ups of before and after toenails - I once took a photograph of a sleeping client having a pedicure!
Nowadays, most people need to promote their businesses on social media - as an out and about "pedicurist", you'll have loads of opportunities to post stories about your day, and gaps when you can create reels. Just add a book now button and you'll be away no time.
I have a Salon. I took over a failed business that was very unremarkable and gradually overhauled each section of the business. In my area, there are lots of nail techs that want manicure business, but not many people want to do feet. I started with the pedicure corner and focussed very tightly on building bookings. Pedicures were a great opportunity to find out more about my clients and helped me create a real sense of connection. This became my marketing funnel, enabling me to showcase and promote to my clients other services they might need - massage, waxing, etc.. I'm still very popular for pedicures and it's still an important part of my turnover. I probably do about 300 a year and I have loads of regulars.
You need to think carefully about how to carry the equipment that you need. I'd suggest either a heated Belava pedicure station or a Beverley Hills Footsie heated bowl. I actually think the Beverly Hills Footsie is best because it holds a decent amount of hot water and it stays really warm. The Belava bowl is much shallower, and is easy to slop water over the floor - either because your client has been clumsy, or because you've misjudged placing it. However, you could take the bowl off the base and you've got a great little platform for clients to rest their feet. I find this very convenient. Of course there are a lots of alternative platforms you could use - I'd suggest a low folding step stool, with a towel over it. For plastic inserts I buy from Salonserve, they have their own version that fits these models.
I’d also have a lightweight jug to fill the bowl. Something that will fit in a hand basin, under a small tap. I have a wooden handled, copper pot that holds about 1 1/2 litres. I use two pots of cold water and one kettle of freshly boiled water and it’s usually the perfect amount of water and the perfect temperature.
You’ll need a good pedicure stool - I bought a great one from salonserve at a bargain price - you can pay £200 for a specialist (low) stool, but there’s no need. Just make sure you are sitting low enough. You want something about 30-35 cms off the floor with your client sitting on a kitchen chair. A kids chair from IKEA or a folding step stool is a good starter to see what height works for you.
You’ll also need a good light. Something that folds up easily. You don’t need to spend a lot of money but you do need a daylight bulb.
I use silk for toenail reconstructions and I trained with bio sculpture. They don’t teach toenails - they teach fingernails and I applied the technique to toes. There are also specialist products you can use for toenails that are suitable for longer wear.
You need a luxury option. My clients rave about my paraffin wax foot treatment. I use Salonserve’s very nice jojoba wax that I heat up in a waxing pot and I use a ladle to scoop some into a plastic bag, discreetly placed inside a velveteen bootee bought from Majestic Towels. Clients swoon, and clean up and disposal is so easy. I bought a pack of 1000 food grade plastic bags from Bookers for a few pounds. My rubbish is all incinerated locally to make electricity so I try and do my best for the environment. I add jasmine oil to the wax - this isn’t suitable for pregnant ladies, but they don’t like a paraffin dip anyway as they often have hot feet or are very temperature sensitive and find it uncomfortable. I give them an extra long massage instead. Effervescent bath bombs are a nice touch - just make sure you know what’s in them.
Start with a small menu of options and don’t try and do too much in the beginning. If you start off with slices of lemon and sprigs of rosemary and pebbles to put in the bottom of your bowl, you may regret this later. Learn what works. Build on that.
Best of luck
