Starting a Face Painting Business

Summary: Why not work on your own hours and be in business at the same time? A face painting business offers you these advantages and also be able to work with kids at the same time!

Putting smiles on the faces of children thru painting can be both rewarding and profitable. If these features appeal to you then this business guide will push you to success.

The key in starting a face painting business is foresight and preparation. As a business owner looking to develop loyal face paint clients, you should be keen in how you manage your operation. Here are 4 systems you should know to get your business off and painting.

Step 1 is to have good paint supplies and care.

Find a supplier who can offer you water based paint that can be washed off easily with water and mild soap. Make sure they are FDA approved paint. You don’t want to encounter skin allergy problems with your clients. Work with at least 18 colors, it will save you a lot of time than working with just 8 colors. An 18 color wheel usually costs about $60. You will also need to invest on several sponges for application, as well as a number of glitter gels, special effect materials like waxes and fake blood, temporary tattoos and stick gems and jewels. Invest for several types of brushes too as well as lots of tissues and mirrors. The normal start up cost for face painting business is about $150-$200.

Step 2 is developing face painting management plan.

Before you start painting, estimate how many heads you can work on. It maybe a good idea to hire some help if there are too many to handle. Practice face painting down to 4-5minutes a face. A 10 minute work on a face is poor time management. This means you can cover only 6 faces in an hour where it should be around 15. Next have a set of 15-20 facial designs to choose from. This way, you are in control of your painting styles. Always visualize the end face product on each face.

Step 3 is packaging your business image.

Create a portfolio of your work. Take your camera and shoot photos of your finished products. This will be a valuable tool to showcase your business to prospective clients. Have a business card with your business name and contact information printed on it. Hand it out and make it easier for customers to reach you and remember you. Another important thing is to know your rate. If your rate is $30 per hour then stand by that rate and don’t allow customers to decide your rate for you. And then decide a system of charging. Will you charge by the hour, per face or work for tips?

Step 4 is getting referrals and repeat business.

Face painting is not limited to birthday parties. You can cater your services to company events, fairs, as well as fund raisers. Make follow up calls to customers for referral business. Offer discounts to repeat customers. Provide quality service and network with your clients.