The #1 Reason for Interest in Opening an Aesthetic Salon or Starting a Side Business in Beauty is 'I Love Beauty.' What Are Their Fields of Interest and Priorities When Selecting Equipment?
A survey conducted with Forest Symphony Inc. found that 72% of those interested in the beauty industry are motivated by a love for beauty, with hair removal being the most popular field of interest. While there is strong enthusiasm, 72% of respondents also expressed anxieties regarding starting a business, particularly concerning initial costs, technical training, and customer acquisition. When choosing equipment, respondents prioritize performance and safety over price, reflecting a strong commitment to quality service.
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- 📰 Published: March 28, 2026 at 16:09
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■ Survey of Real Voices from Those Interested in Opening Aesthetic Salons or Beauty-Related Side Businesses
With growing interest in the beauty industry, more people are considering opening aesthetic salons or starting beauty-related side businesses. In an era where work style options are expanding—including home salons and small-scale operations—what actually triggers this interest, and what anxieties do these individuals face?
To find out, we partnered with Forest Symphony Inc. to conduct a questionnaire on 'interest in opening aesthetic salons and working in the beauty industry,' targeting 50 men and women nationwide who had indicated in a pre-survey that they were interested in such endeavors.
※ When citing the contents of this press release, please ensure the following:
・State that the source is 'A survey by NEXER Inc. and Forest Symphony Inc.'
・Include a link to Forest Symphony Inc. (https://www.forestsymphony.jp/)
'Survey on Interest in Opening Aesthetic Salons and Beauty-Related Work' Outline
Survey Method: Internet-based questionnaire
Survey Period: March 10, 2026 – March 19, 2026
Survey Targets: Men and women nationwide who indicated in a pre-survey that they are 'interested in opening an aesthetic salon or beauty-related work.'
Valid Responses: 50 samples
Survey Questions:
Q1: What triggered your interest in opening an aesthetic salon or starting a beauty-related side business? (Multiple answers allowed)
Q2: What fields are you interested in?
Q3: Please tell us the reason.
Q4: Do you feel any anxiety about starting a business or side job?
Q5: Please select all things you feel anxious about regarding starting a business or side job. (Multiple answers allowed)
Q6: When choosing equipment, what points do you want to prioritize?
Q7: Please tell us the reason.
※ In principle, totals may not add up to 100% because figures are rounded to the second decimal place.
■ 72.0% Answered They Are Interested in Opening a Salon or Beauty Side Business 'Because I Love Beauty'
First, we asked what triggered their interest.
The most common response was 'Because I love beauty' at 72.0%.
This was followed by 'I want to acquire a professional skill' at 22.0%, and 'I want to work at my own pace' and 'I am interested in a side business/independence' at 14.0% each.
This suggests that the desire to turn a hobby into a job overlaps with a longing for a free work style.
■ 26.0% Answered 'Hair Removal'
Next, we asked what fields they are interested in.
The most common response was 'Hair removal' at 26.0%.
This was followed by 'Relaxation' at 20.0%, 'Slimming' and 'Head spa' at 16.0% each, and 'Facial' at 12.0%.
Hair removal has high demand regardless of gender and may be attracting attention as an accessible field to enter when considering opening a business. It is also clear that fields providing healing, such as relaxation and head spas, maintain deep-rooted popularity.
We asked for the reasons behind these answers; here are some examples:
Reasons for choosing a field of interest:
- I usually shave about once a week, and I thought if I had laser hair removal, I could save that trouble. (Female, 30s)
- I have always liked the word 'relaxation' itself. (Female, 30s)
- I am a hairstylist, so I want to open a head spa. (Female, 40s)
- Facial. Because I want to stay beautiful forever. (Female, 30s)
- I love aroma and herbs. (Female, 40s)
Many seem to be motivated by their own experiences and troubles. Reasons vary widely, from simple everyday tasks they want to eliminate to professionals wanting to utilize their existing skills. Answers clearly convey a sincere feeling of 'I want to work in this because I love it.'
■ 72.0% Answered They Have 'Anxieties' About Starting a Business or Side Job
Next, we asked if they feel any anxiety about starting a business or side job.
The results were 72.0% 'Yes' and 28.0% 'No.'
It is clear that about 70% of people have some form of anxiety. Even if they have interest and motivation, various hurdles often become visible when they try to take the first step.
Furthermore, we asked those who answered 'Yes' specifically what kind of anxieties they feel.
The most common response was 'Startup capital/initial costs' at 55.6%.
This was followed by 'Technical acquisition' at 41.7% and 'Customer acquisition' at 36.1%.
Money, skills, and the ability to attract customers—these three can be called the 'three major anxieties' of starting a business.
■ 40.0% Answered They Want to Prioritize 'Performance' When Choosing Equipment
Finally, we asked what they want to prioritize when selecting equipment.
The most common response was 'Performance' at 40.0%.
This was followed by 'Safety' at 22.0% and 'Price' at 16.0%.
More people prioritize performance and safety over price, reflecting a strong sense that they do not want to compromise on equipment that determines the quality of service provided to customers.
We asked for the reasons behind these answers; here are some examples:
Those who answered 'Performance':
- Because I only want to purchase things that are highly effective. (Female, 30s)
- Even if the price is cheap, I thought if the performance is not solid, it would affect future income and customer acquisition. (Female, 30s)
- There is no point if I can't use it even if it's cheap. (Male, 40s)
Those who answered 'Safety':
- I want to prioritize safety above all else. (Female, 40s)
- Since it is something I use every day, it would be troublesome if something happened. (Female, 40s)
Those who answered 'Price':
- I can't buy it if it's expensive. (Female, 40s)
- It's difficult to introduce if it's expensive. (Male, 50s)
Looking at the answers, many expressed practical concerns such as 'It's pointless if it's cheap but ineffective' and 'Performance also impacts customer acquisition.' It seems many are thinking not just about low prices, but about long-term usability and ensuring customers can receive treatments with peace of mind.
■ Summary
In this survey, we found that 72.0% of those interested in opening an aesthetic salon or starting a beauty-related side business cited 'Because I love beauty' as the trigger. Their interests cover a wide range of fields like hair removal and relaxation, while about 70% feel anxiety regarding startup capital and technical training.
There is a tendency to prioritize performance and safety over price when selecting equipment, indicating an awareness of wanting to deliver high-quality services to customers. When taking the first step toward opening a business, it is likely important to utilize reliable sources of information and comprehensive support systems to resolve anxieties one by one.
＜Usage in Articles, etc.＞
・State that the source is 'A survey by NEXER Inc. and Forest Symphony Inc.'
・Include a link to Forest Symphony Inc. (https://www.forestsymphony.jp/)
With growing interest in the beauty industry, more people are considering opening aesthetic salons or starting beauty-related side businesses. In an era where work style options are expanding—including home salons and small-scale operations—what actually triggers this interest, and what anxieties do these individuals face?
To find out, we partnered with Forest Symphony Inc. to conduct a questionnaire on 'interest in opening aesthetic salons and working in the beauty industry,' targeting 50 men and women nationwide who had indicated in a pre-survey that they were interested in such endeavors.
※ When citing the contents of this press release, please ensure the following:
・State that the source is 'A survey by NEXER Inc. and Forest Symphony Inc.'
・Include a link to Forest Symphony Inc. (https://www.forestsymphony.jp/)
'Survey on Interest in Opening Aesthetic Salons and Beauty-Related Work' Outline
Survey Method: Internet-based questionnaire
Survey Period: March 10, 2026 – March 19, 2026
Survey Targets: Men and women nationwide who indicated in a pre-survey that they are 'interested in opening an aesthetic salon or beauty-related work.'
Valid Responses: 50 samples
Survey Questions:
Q1: What triggered your interest in opening an aesthetic salon or starting a beauty-related side business? (Multiple answers allowed)
Q2: What fields are you interested in?
Q3: Please tell us the reason.
Q4: Do you feel any anxiety about starting a business or side job?
Q5: Please select all things you feel anxious about regarding starting a business or side job. (Multiple answers allowed)
Q6: When choosing equipment, what points do you want to prioritize?
Q7: Please tell us the reason.
※ In principle, totals may not add up to 100% because figures are rounded to the second decimal place.
■ 72.0% Answered They Are Interested in Opening a Salon or Beauty Side Business 'Because I Love Beauty'
First, we asked what triggered their interest.
The most common response was 'Because I love beauty' at 72.0%.
This was followed by 'I want to acquire a professional skill' at 22.0%, and 'I want to work at my own pace' and 'I am interested in a side business/independence' at 14.0% each.
This suggests that the desire to turn a hobby into a job overlaps with a longing for a free work style.
■ 26.0% Answered 'Hair Removal'
Next, we asked what fields they are interested in.
The most common response was 'Hair removal' at 26.0%.
This was followed by 'Relaxation' at 20.0%, 'Slimming' and 'Head spa' at 16.0% each, and 'Facial' at 12.0%.
Hair removal has high demand regardless of gender and may be attracting attention as an accessible field to enter when considering opening a business. It is also clear that fields providing healing, such as relaxation and head spas, maintain deep-rooted popularity.
We asked for the reasons behind these answers; here are some examples:
Reasons for choosing a field of interest:
- I usually shave about once a week, and I thought if I had laser hair removal, I could save that trouble. (Female, 30s)
- I have always liked the word 'relaxation' itself. (Female, 30s)
- I am a hairstylist, so I want to open a head spa. (Female, 40s)
- Facial. Because I want to stay beautiful forever. (Female, 30s)
- I love aroma and herbs. (Female, 40s)
Many seem to be motivated by their own experiences and troubles. Reasons vary widely, from simple everyday tasks they want to eliminate to professionals wanting to utilize their existing skills. Answers clearly convey a sincere feeling of 'I want to work in this because I love it.'
■ 72.0% Answered They Have 'Anxieties' About Starting a Business or Side Job
Next, we asked if they feel any anxiety about starting a business or side job.
The results were 72.0% 'Yes' and 28.0% 'No.'
It is clear that about 70% of people have some form of anxiety. Even if they have interest and motivation, various hurdles often become visible when they try to take the first step.
Furthermore, we asked those who answered 'Yes' specifically what kind of anxieties they feel.
The most common response was 'Startup capital/initial costs' at 55.6%.
This was followed by 'Technical acquisition' at 41.7% and 'Customer acquisition' at 36.1%.
Money, skills, and the ability to attract customers—these three can be called the 'three major anxieties' of starting a business.
■ 40.0% Answered They Want to Prioritize 'Performance' When Choosing Equipment
Finally, we asked what they want to prioritize when selecting equipment.
The most common response was 'Performance' at 40.0%.
This was followed by 'Safety' at 22.0% and 'Price' at 16.0%.
More people prioritize performance and safety over price, reflecting a strong sense that they do not want to compromise on equipment that determines the quality of service provided to customers.
We asked for the reasons behind these answers; here are some examples:
Those who answered 'Performance':
- Because I only want to purchase things that are highly effective. (Female, 30s)
- Even if the price is cheap, I thought if the performance is not solid, it would affect future income and customer acquisition. (Female, 30s)
- There is no point if I can't use it even if it's cheap. (Male, 40s)
Those who answered 'Safety':
- I want to prioritize safety above all else. (Female, 40s)
- Since it is something I use every day, it would be troublesome if something happened. (Female, 40s)
Those who answered 'Price':
- I can't buy it if it's expensive. (Female, 40s)
- It's difficult to introduce if it's expensive. (Male, 50s)
Looking at the answers, many expressed practical concerns such as 'It's pointless if it's cheap but ineffective' and 'Performance also impacts customer acquisition.' It seems many are thinking not just about low prices, but about long-term usability and ensuring customers can receive treatments with peace of mind.
■ Summary
In this survey, we found that 72.0% of those interested in opening an aesthetic salon or starting a beauty-related side business cited 'Because I love beauty' as the trigger. Their interests cover a wide range of fields like hair removal and relaxation, while about 70% feel anxiety regarding startup capital and technical training.
There is a tendency to prioritize performance and safety over price when selecting equipment, indicating an awareness of wanting to deliver high-quality services to customers. When taking the first step toward opening a business, it is likely important to utilize reliable sources of information and comprehensive support systems to resolve anxieties one by one.
＜Usage in Articles, etc.＞
・State that the source is 'A survey by NEXER Inc. and Forest Symphony Inc.'
・Include a link to Forest Symphony Inc. (https://www.forestsymphony.jp/)