Hey Felicia,

I have been a esthetician for 7 years and I am trying to put together my own Mobile Spa business. My name is Teal so my business has always been Faces By Teal. But if I hire independent contractors that will work with me should I put "Company" with my business name or change it? I really want to make this business work. I want to make sure I do it right and I want it to run smoothly as possible.

I am also working on my web site soon. Do you have any advice on what I should do to get started with this process? I definitely want to offer facials, waxing, and lash extensions. Do you think I should add massages and manicures and pedicures? Or just keep it small and add on later?

Thank you, Teal

Dear Teal -

If your business is already known by that name and has gained word of mouth business and/or a positive reputation so far, I wouldn't change it completely. Just adding "& Company" would certainly alert clients to the fact that you are not the only one providing services. You could ask a few of your clients what they think and/or how they refer to you when they send business your way. If they aren't using the business name in general you could change it completely which might make sense if you are soon going to be doing more than faces as you suggest by possibly adding massage and nail services. 

Regarding your questions about the web site, expansion and planning. These issues are really too big  to answer just in one quick response. What I would suggest starting with is determining what you want to accomplish with the business or what your overall goals or vision are BEFORE you start expanding too fast. (Try my free teleclasses on goal setting to help get you started by clicking the links below.)

Beyond that, the biggest thing you need to do is really plan and investigate all the details and implications of bringing in others to work with you. It is often a lot more complex and difficult to manage others - especially independent contractors - than people realize and often not as profitable as people expect. Before adding these other services that you are not trained to do, I would make very sure that you have the work force to supply them (especially the nail services).

Free web classes on Goal Setting - Part 1