The problem
A new lash technician, or one with a gap in the diary, depends on Instagram reach and word of mouth. Empty slots don't come back: 6 empty full-set slots a month at $80£60€71A$115C$113 is $479£360€428A$691C$677 a month of work that didn't happen.
What the AI does
Fresha's marketplace lets people search for beauty services nearby and book online, with your treatments, prices, availability, photos and reviews on a profile. Fresha's pricing page says new clients who find you through the marketplace cost a one-time 20% commission on that first booking, with a €5 (about $5£4€5A$8C$8) minimum, and returning clients cost nothing. Bookings through your own link, Instagram and Facebook carry no fee. Set prices and patch test rules on the profile so new clients know the process before they book.
A worked example
A lash technician in Milton Keynes, a year into running their own studio, has about 6 empty full-set slots a month. They complete a Fresha marketplace profile with photos of their work, list classic, hybrid and volume sets with prices, and require a patch test appointment before a first set.
Before
About 6 empty full-set slots a month, worth $479£360€428A$691C$677
After
About 6 new clients a month from the marketplace, at $16£12€14A$23C$23 commission each on their first $80£60€71A$115C$113 set
What it's worth
About $359£270€321A$518C$508 a month in profit from new clients' first sets, at an assumed 75% margin on $479£360€428A$691C$677 (6 new clients at $80£60€71A$115C$113). That is against about $96£72€86A$138C$135 in marketplace commission (20% of $80£60€71A$115C$113 is $16£12€14A$23C$23 times 6) and Fresha Independent at €14.95 (about $17£13€15A$25C$24), about $113£85€101A$163C$160 in all, shown in local currency on Fresha's page. The 6 new clients is an assumption; infills they book afterwards carry no commission.
How to set it up
- Set up Fresha with your treatments, prices, durations and working hours.
- Complete the marketplace profile with clear photos of your own work, your address and your patch test rules.
- Make a patch test appointment a required first booking for new clients.
- Book every new client's first infill before they leave, so the relationship moves to direct bookings.
- After 2 months, compare commission paid with how many new clients stayed.
What goes wrong
- Commission applies to every new marketplace client, including those who never come back. Track how many return.
- Post only photos of your own work, with client permission, and don't use filters that make results look better than they are.
- Fresha shows prices in local currency; check the pound price and commission on its page.