Like the hair process...
There is a business process too.
As an Independent Hair Artist, it's not only our mission to deliver confident hair to our Guests & we also have 'behind the scene' business management to maintain each day to operate our business at full potential.
I choose to work from home after 7 years working in traditional Salons. When embarking career path that has much stigma in our industry, I wanted to challenge it. Make it legitimate. Follow the professional guidelines that I love about the industry & my Countries Business Bylaws.
Working from home there are some misconceptions that I wanted knock down the Stereotype . I'll share some insight on my Professional Licensed Home Salon Journey.
YOU DON'T PAY RENT
Yes, that is true.
Not paying chair/suite rent/lease is a nice perk, but not paying rent shouldn't determine the quality of Hairstylist you become. Smarter not harder.
Here are somethings to ponder on as I asked my Guests their opinions on how Home Salon Business is run.
• You pocket ALL the money...
I wish!!! But that isn't fact on how I operate my business. A big % goes towards paying off my expenses, % goes towards paying taxes, % goes towards savings [education/tools/new inventory/business tools/maintenance & repair/vacation time if you didn't outsource benefits/fall back during slow seasons or last minute cancellations that can't be filled] , a % goes to profit to grow my business & a % towards my income.
When working in a typical Salon, I was receiving 50% of each service I did & when starting my business I gave myself 40%! Why lower? I was starting out & had to learn business building. I wanted to make sure my expenses were being paid off & grow more inventory. A sacrifice I was willing to take as I didn't want my business to plummet because I couldn't keep up with the demands. I wanted to grow & gave myself incentives.
• Since there is no 'rent' that there is no business expenses....
The words of Maury...'I determine that a lie'. The beauty world is an expensive world. The expenses increase with more Guests in your chair/inflation/new product innovations/education/online business tools + more.
An Independent Hairstylist that doesn't work from home, their portion of the chair/suite rent fee goes towards the payment of the equipment/space/utilities provided for them. As a Home Salon, we're to equip the space to make it a full functional salon + plumping/electrical, equipment, permits/business licences & professional inventory on your own. It's a costly investment...which is an expense.
What's amazing about not paying chair/suite rent I am able to use that 'non rent fee' to purchase more professional products, equipment/tools, giveaways & EDUCATION to give Guests a quality experience.
Also, eliminating any type stress of making rent that month during slow seasons or Guest cancellations...but not eliminating if you can't pay for your mortgage. Instead of 2 stresses ---> down to 1.
Any type of overwhelming vibes isn't satisfying. Planning ways to be above in your finicals will lead longevity in this career.
Home Based Businesses are on the rise but please don't think it's easier just cause of this perk. There will be business trails & tribulations throughout the whole journey.
CHEAPER PRICES & LESS QUALITY
Entering the Home Salon journey & figuring out my price list, I did have a slight lower price. Based on my demographic. I had to start some where. With the gains of business knowledge & skills, I have raised my prices 4 times. {Soon to be 5} If you don't know by now, the beauty industry is pricey & rise in price constantly. New innovated products/tools emerge rapidly & keeping up with it adds up to your expenses.
Your business expenses are still high when working from home. The perk of no rent does lessen your monthly expense so my service menu is lower priced compared to others who have to factor in a higher price ticket to keep their business afloat. Everyone rent is priced differently, every service price is different due do experience, expense & Guests hair. You can't just think about the product usages, you have to incorporate your wage, tools, accounting, profit, booking keeping, Salon Software, salon equipment, Social Media content software, Insurance, bank fees, business licenses, education investments & experience...the list goes on & adds up.
Timing is everything these days, When I started out 13 years ago, bookings were the '30/45mins rule'. 30/45min application - 30/45mins processing - 30/45mins finish. That's an 1hr + 30mins service...I can tell you now that this day in age, services are much longer & tedious. If you are desiring a certain look that differs from your current hair hue & Lightner is used, more steps + more time + more product usage = more CHA-CHING!
'Lighner Life' Blog
With that being said, I value education. I've kept up with investing & time towards what type of hair I desire on creating/specializing & business development education. With these recurring investments develops better quality to our Guests. It's your duty as a hair consumer to seek out a Hairstylist that continues their education & are taking education that emulates your type of hair goals you desire.
Not every Hairstylist takes education that matches your hair journey. For example: I no longer invest in education on perms. If I happen to have a Guest that wants a perm...my quality would be lacking. But my Professionalism to refer you to another who specializes in that service is giving you better quality.
Quality of receiving & quality of giving. Either or, I provide quality.
YOU CAN DO HAIR AT ANY HOUR OF THE DAY
In my case, NO! I set my hours to help balance home life & business life.
I've worked in a Salon where I worked three 12 hour shifts & in my first year of building Sheariously I had countless days of working that long... let me tell you right now, I wasn't about that life. Hustling like that brought many burn outs & I had a 2 year old at the beginning & mom guilt set in.
The first year was trial & error, what boundaries, policies & values I wanted to set in place to make it grow. I have the willingness to change to prolong my passion behind the chair.
A bonus of being your own boss is that you can set your hours fitting your lifestyle.
Sunday & Mondays are my days off.
Tuesday through Thursday I don't work from 3pm to 5pm. So I can pick up my kid, focus my time on him & put some dinner on before my husband comes home.
This industry has amazing flexibility & this help provide me some sanity & less 'Mom Guilt'
LAST MINUTE CANCELLATIONS OR SHOWING UP LATE IS ACCEPTABLE
Say what??? Not a chance. Setting a policies/boundaries at the beginning is crucial. Along the way you will add new P/B to structure your business to run smoothly as your business will evolve.
Showing up late to any type of business is disrespectful. Just cause you work from home, that time that has been wasted showing up late, effects my time spent with family.
When last minute cancellations occur, its hard to fill that space. Which means, we don't get paid, business expenses don't get paid.
Now, I understand there are circumstances come up last minute & hands are tied but a hairstylist livelihood is sacrificed. Implementing a cancellation fee {Anything under 24hrs} is a good business tactic to insure your Guests respect your time & business.
Sticking to your policies is a good business ethics & will save your negativity mindset.
UNEDUCATED
Like I mentioned above in the 'quality' misconception...I'll repeat. As a client, it's your duty to research a Hairstylist that continues their education to keep up with the rapidly changing industry trends & product. How long they have been behind the chair? Also, is the Hairstylist taking education that meets your hair desires & goals?
There are so many types of hair services/hair canvases & a single Hairstylist can't master them all. If you ask your Hairstylist to preform a service they don't specialize in, be prepare to receive a lesser quality or be referred to a different Hairstylist that specialize in that particular service.
As for Independent Hairstylist, either working from home, chair rental or salon suite; continuous education is part of the industry game. Seek out classes that inspire you. Don't only invest in time/money on hair technique classes, taking business classes are just as highly important. Learning that hair skill classes will only get you so far but with a well-rounded knowledge of hair business courses will set you up for better business success.
Education classes are a recurring investment & for being an Independent Hair Artist that's money we have to factor in our business savings plan. This year alone & it hasn't even been a half a year yet, I have invested $3000. Being in a Trades career & to add the lowest paid Trade...education can be expensive. Lowest paid Trade + expensive recurring education...how about them odds???? I can see a part of why this career has a high rate of Hairstylist quitting.
YOU DO HAIR SERVICES IN THE KITCHEN
For myself...I don't. I have a separate space dedicated & equipped to provide my services. I actually have moved my Salon Space twice within my home. I was growing & needed more room. My home is petite, 800sq. ft. 30+ year old bungalow style. The outside of my home isn't alluring as I want it to be. That's a bit of my perfectionism but when you enter my salon space...its a little hidden gem. I don't have a separate entrance, its definitely something I desire & have goals towards to make it more functional for family & Guests.
IT'S NOT PROFESSIONAL
Does location define professional?
No matter the locations, it's the professional, qualified & passion behind the chair at matters.
If Business Licenses are offered for Home Salons, to me that shows its professionally acceptable to conduct hair services in a licensed home business. The law allows it BUT don't get me wrong if you have a Home Salon or Home Beauty Business & your not qualified with Cosmetology Certificates or Business License. Yes, that to me is unprofessional.
I am a strong advocate in having a Business License through your City/Town.
Why?
Well first, it's professional. I value this Industry & local businesses to give a fair environment operating ethic. If they pay for taxes, I too will participate as a business owner & active member of the society. It's my way of earning respect as a legitimate business owner. Having a Business License provides that your place was approved by the City for operations & up to code & helps give you more authority as an Entrepreneur. You will be taken more seriously....Sheariously.
Plus, you are able to set up better business tactics that will aid in your future. Such as, getting insurance/benefits. God forbid anything happens that would demolish your business. Home burns down, Guest falls, your injured, working with chemicals - having liability insurance will save your ass if anything occurs. {Sue Happy Society} Protect yourself...you are worth it.
It's your prerogative on how you want to do your home business if not Qualified/Licensed or receive a service at a home salon...just know your risks, do your research & ask questions.
To give new Guests insight/reassurance about how I conduct my business, I provided a separate 30min in-depth consultation session with a fee prior to booking a hair coloring session for New Guests.
Why?
Having your desired hair is so much more then a Pinterest photo & a 5min chit-chat.
Have you ever had a hair appointment & you didn't vibe? Your hair journeys don't match?
I want to saving you time & money before our hair journey begins.
This gives you the chance to view my personality, my Professional Licensed Home Based Salon & the type of Hairstylist I am.
For more insight on how I conduct my Hair Sessions, check out my website & view the 'Sessions With Me' & 'My Type Of Hair Art' Page.
My hope of writing this is to give you awareness & less negative assumptions towards those who path desire a Home Based Salon or Beauty Business.
Sin-Sheariously, Jami -xo-
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