How to make money as a beauty specialist in Latvia - practical guide

Where paying customers actually come from

Most initial customers are people in your immediate networks rather than strangers who find you online. Think neighbours, friends, family and colleagues who already know and trust you. After that, the next sources are local word of mouth, people at workplaces and schools, and people who see you on local social media groups or marketplace listings.

Online search brings clients too, but only if you appear where they look - local listings, social groups, and specialist marketplaces. People also post tasks publicly when they need a one-off service and invite offers from nearby providers.

• Neighbours and friends - quick, often repeat clients
• Workplaces and colleagues - convenient daytime bookings
• Schools, student communities and hobby groups - budget-conscious clients
• Local social media groups and marketplace listings - people looking for local services
• Online search and directory pages - steady but needs visibility

How to set your first price and talk about money

Start by calculating the direct cost of each service: materials, disposables, travel time and any booking or card fees. Then add an hourly rate for your labour and some overhead for tools, training and insurance. If you are unsure what to charge, look at local listings and competitors to understand the range, and place your first price competitively within that range.

When you talk about money, be direct and clear. Give a written price list or a message with the service name and price, state whether the price includes extras such as aftercare supplies or travel, and explain deposit or cancellation rules upfront. If you change prices later, inform existing clients before their next appointment.

• Calculate costs first - materials, time, travel, fees
• Add a labour rate and overhead - don’t leave your time unpaid
• Check local market rates and choose an introductory position
• Be transparent in messages and written confirmations

What the first ten customers usually look like

The first ten customers tend to be low-friction bookings: friends, family, neighbours, and colleagues who already trust you, plus a few people from local community groups or a marketplace post. Expect a mix of repeat clients and single jobs. Many are price-sensitive and choose convenience over brand loyalty.

Reserve time for these early clients and ask for honest feedback and photos you can use later. Early clients are often forgiving on small glitches if you communicate clearly and follow up about their satisfaction.

• Friends and family - beginner test clients
• Neighbours and local community members - convenient repeats
• Work colleagues - weekday or lunch bookings
• Marketplace or social posts - first unknown clients

Taking money and sorting paperwork in Latvia

Declare and record your income. For tax and legal status questions in Latvia, check with the State Revenue Service - Valsts ieņēmumu dienests (VID). Ask VID whether you should register as a self-employed person or individual merchant, how to issue receipts or invoices, and what records you must keep. If you have questions about combining self-employment with an employed job, ask VID what affects your social contributions and taxes.

Check with your local municipality about premises or service-specific requirements such as hygiene rules. If you are unsure which authority handles health and hygiene for beauty services, ask the municipality which office to contact. Keep clear records of appointments, receipts for materials, and bank statements for any payments you receive.

On Websta, card payments from customers are paid out to your own bank account through Stripe and you set your prices. Using card payments and a clear receipts system makes bookkeeping easier, but it does not replace the need to declare income to VID.

• Ask VID how to register, invoice and report income
• Ask your municipality about any premises or hygiene requirements
• Keep appointment logs, receipts for costs and bank records
• Card payments via Stripe go to your bank - still report the income

What tends to go wrong in the first months

Common problems are undercharging, poor time management, unclear cancellation or deposit policies, and inconsistent record-keeping. Undercharging makes it hard to cover costs once you factor in taxes and time. Missed bookings and last-minute cancellations cost you time if you have no deposit or policy.

Operational mistakes also include not keeping a professional photo and service list for clients to see, tracking expenses on paper only, and not confirming appointments in writing. All of these reduce repeat bookings and make it harder to scale.

• Underpricing services and not covering costs
• No clear cancellation or deposit policy
• Weak records for income and expenses
• Unclear online information that stops clients booking

How a Websta profile fits into this

A Websta profile acts like a simple public page you can send to anyone. It shows your services, prices, photos, a contact form and online booking. The profile helps you be found when people search by service and place, and it gives clients a place to check details before they book.

On Websta you set your own prices and card payments are paid out to your bank account through Stripe. Use the profile link in messages, social media posts and marketplace replies so potential clients can see a consistent, up-to-date list of what you offer and how to book.

• One link with services, prices and photos to share
• Online booking reduces back-and-forth
• Card payments via Stripe go directly to your bank account

Practical next steps

Make a short price list for 3-5 services you do well, calculate costs and set clear cancellation rules. Ask 5-10 people in your network for honest feedback and photos. Open a simple bookkeeping folder and register with VID if needed. Create or update your Websta profile and include booking and payment details.

Be realistic: earning takes work and time. Track bookings and income for a few months, adjust prices if needed, and focus on clear communication with clients to build a steady base.

• Prepare a 3-5 item service and price list
• Ask network for initial bookings and feedback
• Set bookkeeping and declaration steps with VID
• Publish a Websta profile and use the link in messaging