The solution is a client based business. It means giving the same service that a beauty parlour provides but in the comfort of the clients home and at a time that is convenient for you and the client.

We spoke with a professional from the field who decided to go flexi and how she managed to make it a successful business.

"I was left with no option but to start working on a flexi time, client basis."

For 35-year-old Nirmala Dattukarne it was the need of the hour that compelled her to take up a flexi-time, client based work over a full time job.

"I have always enjoyed doing anything and everything related to beauty. And this made me start out young in the business," she remembers.

Starting Out

Not too good at studies, post 12th standard Nirmala decided to follow her passion for beauty and enroll in a beautician course. However, the going wasn't as smooth as she thought of.

"Coming from a conservative middle class Maharastrian family, it was difficult to get my folks to say yes. But when they saw that I was dead serious about it, they let me be," says she.

"Now I had an option of either going for a three week crash course which would teach me the basics at a much cheaper rate or go for a full time professional course that taught me everything in depth but comparatively expensive. However since I was looking at it as a job option, I went for the latter, " she explains.

Since money was an issue, going to a big private school was ruled out. Instead she joined a six month professional beauty course run by a beauty parlour in her locality in Chembur, Mumbai.

Tip: A certificate is definitely not a must-have if you plan to take it up as a home-based business. Usually your work experience and recommendations will get you the job.

However, going for a professional certificate course will help you gain an in-depth knowledge about not only make up and styling and the likes but it also teaches you about the physiology such as what suits which skin type and why.

A basic course which deals with personal beauty would cost you anywhere between Rs.10,000 to Rs.20,000 for duration of three to four weeks. On the other hand, a professional course from any of these institutes would cost you Rs.60,000 and above for a duration of six months.

For example, Schnell Hans Beauty School in Mumbai offers a two month (twice a week) Basic course for Rs.11,000. However, a professional course for five months (thrice a week) is for Rs.69,000.