Hair salon Stylist personal development

Back2myroots : A place to share thoughts and grow idea's. B2MR

What is personal development do you give it any thought? Do you take any time to plan your career once qualified? Have you ever considered the many options available to you in the hair industry and thought about how best to improve your skills and knowledge?

Work on thinking about a plan of action for your career making some clear choices and taking action. Maybe this is not you and our happy just working as a creative stylist in a salon. Experience over the years has shown me that eventually this is not enough for most stylist they want more responsibility they want more control.To get this you have to have a plan a vision and some goals. What are yours? Are you ready to trust yourself take control of your future?

Investing in one self and ones future:

To succeed in at any level in Cosmetology demands quality.professional skill. Creativity talent and technical knowledge and ability. In the Hairdressing profession many individuals have great artistic skills.But they fail or let them sleeves down by not having or acquiring the technical knowledge to make those skills truly great. 

Would you like to gain more experience in other aspects of the hairdressing industry. Are your ready to challenge your self? Maybe your goal is to own your own salon. Have a freelance business. Maybe become an educator for an international hair colour company. A platform artist.Artistic team member. College tutor.Climb the ladder to salon management. All very worth while. Deciding on what path to take,where your true vocation lies is not easy so should not be rushed. Reaping the rewards from hard work and commitment is very satisfying but is it enough? Constantly pushing your self striving to be the very best you can is very challenging but so very worth while could this be you?

The Hurdles and obstacles can seem immense one has to stay committed and focused embrace the challenges. Be prepared to face rejection over come obstacles deal with the emotional challenges of an unchartered journey and adventure stick with it however daunting however demanding it is. Sounds like a great deal of hard work. It is but nothing is easy and it would not be a challenge or so rewarding at the end if it were handed on plate!

The big thing the key is you don't have to do it alone unaided there are many in this industry here to help and advise you you only have to search them out connect and ask for advise for help and you will get it.

With so many talented, focused, driven, motivated stylists and industry professionals help is always available. As an industry professional how can you create that edge how can you keep it? Become a specialist in your field the one people turn to for advise and guidance become a business success. What ever your choice be it.
To be a top stylist. Own your own business. Be platform artist.There are no short cuts but having a clear vision and an understanding of how things work.What path to take this can really help you over the hurdles and obstacles you may face while making this vision a reality.

Apart from having the right up to date qualifications .You must have a full and extensive record of your journey your training your education your soil level qualification and certification. Show a history of having attended education updates, prove creativity, demonstrate skills in service and consultation. Have an interest in business management staff management and training. Show a willingness to learn and commitment earn trust show loyalty gain respect.

Websters defines the word skill as ' The ability to use one;s skills effectively' Todays hairdressers must have a strong working knowledge of the hair, chemistry, the hair structure, the products available, trusting manufactures is no longer enough or safe! know this before you can effectively show your artistic and creative skills through colouring and handling chemicals and products. Again there are no short cuts to knowledge the more you understand who hair colour works and reacts on human hair the better prepared you will be to face the challenges that can and do arise.

What does investing in one self man? Is it costly? Is it worth while? let me tell you,Investing in oneself does not have to be financial- It can and could be a simple as time well spent! We must all look in the mirror and be honest about what needs  attention what needs some adjustment. The real key is knowing from the bottom of your heart.What you truly want where you want your career to go what lengths your are prepared to go to to make. Your dream. your vision. Your quest a reality.

Sadly this does not mean that financial expense is not apart of this, sometimes parting with hard earned cash is the driver and motivator. Seek help. Do the work. Reap the rewards. Self investment. How many people sign up for gym membership to get healthy drop a few pounds ? They go a few time then always find an excuse not to go eventually  the membership runs out or gets cancelled the Gym gets blamed oh it was costly it did not work for me!! when you pay the membership you still have to do the work someone else is not going to ride that bike and get fit or lose weight for you! Same deal with investing in education skill training knowledge you have to commit to the work the program. 

Help can and does come in many forms It could be useful books or downloads. Seminars. Courses. Presentations. Demonstrations. Webinar. Video links. what works best for you how do you learn what keeps you motivated stimulated your choice. The key is to have that vision of what you want where you want your career to go.  Research  your choices!

   

Think of your career as a bus journey.There are lots of people on the bus with you,some getting on and off others staying on for the ride.But hey your the driver take your eyes off the road and pops! your in control drive your career take your path.We are all in charge of our own destiny we have to make choices and live with the consequences challenging our selves and those around us for we are all linked through our industry our passion our commitment to development and change.

There are many professional bodies and groups ready to help and offer advise should you need any help please contact me and we can discuss a path a journey plan for you. I have many contacts and access to some really wonderful supportive material.

Mike B2MR

Hair Salon. Brand Image repuation

Back2myroots : A place to share thoughts and grow idea's. B2MR

Brand. Image. Reputation:

We all work so hard to create a brand that says who we are. We create and image that projects our vision and supports our brand.We work to turn our vision into a reality.We build our reputation.
We start of with such high expectation. We believe and trust we will be a success.

Why do we then cheapen all we have worked so hard  for? We compromise put ourselves down cheapen all we have created by offering discounts why? Do we not believe in our selves has our vision changed? What does discounting really say about your brand?
Maybe it suggest's struggling and are desperate for your business? Rather than professional creative talented styling team. Offering the highest standard of skill and service at competitive rates.

What would appeal more you? What would appear the more professional image and approach? We have to consider  these questions. If we are to really address this discount mentality.  Consider that competition is not a good thing at the best of times. Competition in the salon creates a higher ache that creates issues of  over inflated EGO. It's negative. An environment of sharing, in salon mentoring, collaboration a meeting of the minds, open innovative discussion, a sharing of that vision. Not that mentality built on who's the best!
Competing with salons around you to see who can go the lowest to attract the most is just wrong.
It's crazy! it's a no win market .

Think about your Brand how can you create a niche market?
Think about your vision surround your self with people who share it?
Think about the salon image ? what do you really want it to say ?
Think about your reputation ? what is that worth?
Think about that Street appeal ? those tacky photo copies?

It's only when we really honestly consider these issues that we can really start to see the folly in a discount driven mentality and market.
We have a salon we have a price list .Then we have a huge sign saying 30% off or we plaster the window in discount offers to the point that no one can see in. See what the salon is doing. what it offers enabling the potential client to get a feel for what is being presented.

We fill the window with products we are not first and foremost a retail product store we certainly go get paid to display these products in our window promoting the manufacturer. We have to buy them and then re sell them. We can only re sell them by recommending them to our clients. To do this we have to get then into the salon. If we have discounted our rates right down then why would they pay full price for products?
This is mostly com one sense  but some where along the way we have got lost we have been sucked in to this business model  that is so from our vision that we falter. We get over whelmed we feel lost consumed.
All of these salon's are in the same town all within a few minute wool of each other .So you can see in trying to appeal they all look the same. It does not work .It's tacky!!!!!

Take a step back be honest. What do you really want? How can you get back to your vision? Why did this happen?  Maybe you need a little help or advise? Would you like to discuss your situation ? If so let me know. See contact section.

Mike B2MR:
Lets talk, lets share some thoughts, lets get you a new look, lets get you back to. Your vision. Your brand

Economic challenges for the hair salon or OPPORTUNITY!

Back2myroots : A place to share thoughts and grow idea's. B2MR

Are these extra challenging time s for salon owners and stylist's? Is the manufacturing company the distributors making to much profit? Or have times changed and we as professionals need to face up to the challenges of our changing industry? Honestly look at and review the way we do business what we offer

I do think that manufacturers have a responsibility to the industry and for maintaining a professional image. But we also have to be aware that development of products promotion costs and they like us are 

in business to make money and turn a profit.

Think about the number of handlers all adding there bit on from manufacturer to end consumer.

We in the salon are not all saint's some times the mark up is 100%  on retail products we only pay sales commission of say 10% Hum! is that fair ? To  both stylist or consumer? Would it be better to mark up less turn over more?

Discounting retail products and indeed salon services does it work? Or does it just cheapen the   experience? I see so many salons offering cheap deals 30% first service or last minute walk in discounts why would you do this? There needs to be more consensus between salons rather than competing with 

each other on discounts.

Think about this shared recently by some one I greatly respect.

If all salons and staff offer great service and standard of work in essence is all the same quality then which one will a client go to if they are all the same?? What would you do? Remember all the same ! THE CHEAPEST OF COURSE.  why do this discount thing maintain standards and fee's.   

Let look at an example of mark up and handlers.

Think about that tube of hair colour pigment. Produced on Italy cost pennies, other ingredients pennies, putting into a tube pennies, packaging shipping tax so on. Manufacture mark up? Distributors mark up? Then we the salon get hold of it that 3oz tube of colour say for $10.00
Maybe if used mixed correctly 3 colour applications one tube at how much per colour say $40.00 = $120.00 My point is many salons are just as guilty not all.

This time of year there are many deals to be had with products gift packs ect. Do those deals get passed onto clients as a christmas thank you for your custom? 

From the time of manufacturer to getting to the salon at least 3 and maybe up to 5 different companies 

and distributors have handles said product and put their mark up on it! just sharing a thought.

Everything is relative hair products to some degree you get what you pay for to some it's packaging. It's image, smell, marketing.

The end consumer our clients also drive this some like to pay more than others some even buy because they like the bottles in the bathroom. 

It's a contentious subject with more than one way of looking at it. I do agree that the manufacturers double dip all the time. Marketing themselves as the cavaliers working with and for the professional.Yet flooding the market with cheap shampoo and indeed nasty over the counter hair colour.

But for years the hair industry has allowed the professional manufactures and indeed colour companies to set the rules. Celebrity endorsement certainly does not help this but it's the face of business it's the way thing work.We have to acknowledge this and change how we think what we do and how we offer our skill and service's.

These are hard economic times for everyone this is a global issues and not just in the hair industry.

However I also maintain that a culture of blame and pointing the finger  exists at the moment for it's far  easier to attribute blame than do some honest sole searching about. What we do and charge.

I still think clients can and do pay for exceptional service from knowledgeable skilled professional.What they will not do is settle for second rate service from unskilled professional 

We must have an eye on the  big picture that being bigger than a quick buck or up sale of any given  service.  Consultation, communication, informed skill.

A trip to a salon should be an experience worth talking about from start to finish. Many salons lose clients after the first visit why ! Because the client did not feel special and did not feel it was value for money! Now who can we or should we blame? I'm not every one every thing is totally wrong but we need all of us to take responsibility for our selves our actions be willing to make and accept change.  

As very wise industry professional and  speaker educator. Pointed something out in a webinar recently on this very subject. A very talented knowledgeable lady called Karen.

The boom years. Those crazy years of pre christmas salon madness are a distant memory a thing of the past. 

Those booked from October to Christmas doing colour. selling product making a great profit. I was part of that now era! It's past. wake up !

We have to work at our business cherish our clients their custom and the relationships we build with them. 

For some of us seasoned in this industry as am I maybe a great challenge. But you know we have to be prepared and able to change embrace change work and do things differently.

This industry is for many still very rewarding and lots of very successful stylist and owners still make a very good living from it.
 To all I say this .Negativity is very destructive and it's alive and well and at work in the world today.Don't become part of that world and culture
Challenge your self and your staff listen to your clients ask them what they want to see !! embrace the challenges and work to make the changes take control of your business and your life.

Work with you staff to offer the very best of service make it personal to each and every client, deliver an experience that they will talk about with others! 

I hear so many businesses complaining about lack of new business or walk in clients.they get opportunity for exposure through things like Groupon then complain they made no money form it!

Groupon gives you a platform for exposure of your business how make the most of the new influx of clients is up to you the salon and staff.

Case point

I think that the concept of Groupon is a good way of attracting new clients.Recently my daughter purchased a facial at a local spa where she lives through a groupon offer.It's quite an exclusive looking  place so she had alway been put off but the thought of high price's.

She was pleasantly surprised when she went the service was out standing she thought that the prices were fair and reflected the standard of service the experience. She has not only been back a few times for other services she has recommended  to a number of her friends who have all loved it  .My point being one coupon netted maybe 6 or7 or seven potential good long term new client's who also have connections.

It's the coupon's that will get the clients through the door the question is are you doing enough to keep them coming back for more? Most salon's experience is that over 25% of first time new clients to the salon do not return. That is a huge amount of lost business what are they doing wrong? What are we doing wrong?  

Salon victoria my journey!

Well my vision dream passion is in constant ever changing flux from the journey below. To the personal journey and challenges I know work on.

For me now education sharing experience and knowledge is part of my every day the reward thus far all the positive feed back i get.
The challenge learning to write and present in a better more articulate fashion but also learning more and more skills on the computer.
My day starts at around 6am get up coffee whilst my wife gets ready for work my online day of sharing working on my next topic and replying to comments left.
I think that as Karen say's that jump out of bed what's next feeling is key to making things happen. staying and being positive.It is so easy to get up and in a few short moments set the pattern for how your day will unfold. We all chose or are responsible for out day it will either be good or bad.
Each and every day is an unscripted play for us all. we are not the producers or directors just player's each encounter is just another scene it that play that is today. However this play runs is dependant on our performance the role we play.
Although now i don't have a salon i still remain current and active. When i was last  actively doing education and platform work i also kept my hand in with a small salon  this business model could easily be applied on a much larger scale

I decided to share my formula for what was a huge success for me In having and growing a one person home based hair dressing business.
The Key was and is to decide what it is you want to do . What hours do you want to work,  How many days a week. The type of clientele you want to attract. How much you need or want to make.
This may seem an odd way of doing things but trust me it worked.
In my cases I did not want to work week ends. I did not want to work late nights. I only wanted to do Hair colour. Colour correction . Razor cutting.  Oh ! Did i mention only on women. No men. No children.
At this point you may be shaking your head. It worked
How my client base grew was word of mouth amongst groups of women from all different walks of life . Professionals. House wives. Every profession you can think of from. Female Police officer to Dental assistant to Bank manageress !  They all had two things in common . They wanted great hair at a fair price. I did not encourage clients to bring children with them.
The thing they all had in common was at some point they all knew some one else who came to me. Why? Because they all helped to build my business through recommendation.
It became like a club they kept me busy. I kept them happy by offering a service of the highest standard that they could afford to maintain. How so? you might ask.  Well this is where it gets interesting.
Every client always got a consultation an up date. First time or new clients would have to come for a consultation prior to first appointment. For this they would pay $20.00 for half an hour it would be deducted from first appointment booked if we decided to work together.
I say this because in this consultation time some times due to personality issues, not wanting to listen or my take advise i would suggest i was not the right person they were not ready for my advise or approach and would be better off in a larger salon.  Question:Why would I? Spend time with someone I did not get on with or have a good feeling for or like.
My clients all knew that i did this and that a consultation did not guarantee appointment. They  all respected this and yes I did and do sack clients who wasted my time. Boundaries.
I also had a no exception 15 minute late rule. later than that then re book no exceptions.Why because the knock on effect of this would keep other clients waiting that is unfair.
This for the most part was not the case and to this day i still stay in touch with many of my clients whom i consider to be friends.
Back to business pricing consider this. How much are you worth? How much do you want to make!
Remember. I was  booked the hours i wanted to work every day. I charged by the Hour for everything.
This was in Canada so what ever it is in Dollars would be the same her in pounds. you choose your rate.
For me $50.00 an hour. I would think fair and maintainable so if you want a razor cut a one hour appointment $50.00 Cut and colour most of the time 2hrs highlights maybe 21/2 so  $100-$125 quite reasonable. If colour correction an unknown then we would just watch the clock.
I would only ever book one client at a time never an over lap most of the time i would do three clients a day. Remember I'm working form home and alone low over heads.
So most days given that most clients were cut and colour i turned over $300 that's $1500.00 wk
I kept a range of products and was very up top date with products and how they worked however i did not sell my choice no inventory low over heads.

Not selling them I would write out a prescription and directions and send them all to one place that sold products in high volume so had great prices. This supported a local business. It showed my clients that i was committed to what was best for them. In return they would go and buy the products because they had been professional recommended without strings.
A record card was kept for every client address  contacting information.
A record of hair history both on first meeting and on going
A record of formulation timing out come. time spent fee charged.
Why you ask . well apart from making it easy to adjust and change formulations when i came to move I sold my client list and records. 
So building up honest relationships having trust giving value for money can create a great business without having to over work staying in control having fun meeting some great people.
A business built on mutual respect skill knowledge and honesty.
This business  also enabled me pursue my other passion as a platform artist and hair colour educator for a major colour company.
Clients loved to hear about shows and education work it also showed them total industry commitment passion motivation.
My dream my journey but it could be yours so simple.

The E-booksbeing worked on will cover many aspects in depth on the above business model and journey.

Hairdressing: Apprenticeships training career

Back2myroots : A place to share thoughts and grow idea's. B2MR

Welcome to BACK2MYROOTS B2MR:  regular postings of fresh new topic's

Lets consider apprenticeship and the training it offers!

Is becoming a apprentice the way forward for you. Is doing an apprenticeship the best training. Will it afford you the best opportunities once you have finished your training?

Here in the uk it's fair to say that the government are very keen to promote doing an apprenticeship in most trades. many years ago I myself did an apprenticeship much has changed since those days when at the age of 16 my parents signed papers along with a salon owner committing me to a three year apprentice program. On Reflection I was cheap labor shampoo boy cleaner dogs body. Never given any opportunity to go to college day release.

These days so much has changed and standards of qualification have to be reached. So lets take a look although law's standards differ on a global scale i think the thinking is not that different from country to country.

What is an apprenticeship? 
Apprenticeships enable you to. Practically learn your trade, as well as studying to gain the theory and enable you to receive your qualification. It is a marriage of hands on work experience, as well as having time to get day release to college for your NVQ qualification. They are aimed at young people aged 16 and over, to enable them to earn money whilst gaining experience in a hairdressing environment. Equally importantly the experience gained working in salon environment is invaluable An apprenticeship in hairdressing will normally involve, you working in the salon every day bar one or two when you will be attending college. It can take up to 5 years to qualify as a hairdresser but if your committed work hard show willing this does not have to be the case. So if you have the patience and the commitment to keep at it. Then an apprenticeship would be for you, gaining the experience of salon working  at the same time as doing the college work. The alternative would be college and then having to then find, a salon to gain the experience and skills to be qualified in all aspects of the hairdressing industry.

Are you creative good with your hand? Do you like people? Are you prepared to offer service?

Why do an apprenticeship? 
An apprenticeship enables you to earn a small income.  Whilst working and gaining qualifications needed to become certified .You can use an apprenticeship to gain NVQ (National Vocational Qualification) levels which is what you need to become a qualified hairdresser The main advantage to you as an apprentice, you will also gain many years experience in the practical environment and learn communication skills, people skills, things that are not always best taught at college, as opposed to all that time studying just the theory at college. Employers like to see that their future employees are keen to learn, but also see it as away to bring new energy and levels of talent into the salon team. Because of this salon owners are usually, very keen to take on apprentices

who are committed enthusiastic and willing to work learn be a team player, it's not always easy but it can be very rewarding and fun.

Will I enjoy an apprenticeship? 
When thinking about undertaking a hairdressing apprenticeship, You should be certain that this is the career path you wish to take, hard work for little financial reward long hours. You need to be really focused to be successful, know that you will need to put in the work and organise your time really well to balance salon work, college and personal time, not always easy. I would say it's a life style choice certainly not for everyone. But the rewards can be many, in ways one cannot explain  you must be prepared. To be responsible for all aspects of your life and work ,finding time at work with studying in order to get the most out of it, this can be very challenging, its all about balance. You can’t just work in the salon and not go to college, because this doesn’t meet the requirements of partaking in an apprenticeship scheme. You should also be  prepared to be able to, work as part of a team and as an individual . Make you own choices decisions and live with the consequences for you choices hairdressing has no room for a huge EGO!

Lets face some facts! Answer some questions!

How long does an apprenticeship take? 
This can vary from 1 year to 5; it is dependent on the contract you have drawn up with your employer and on your own ability also.

As a norm 3 years of hard work should get you through to level 2NVQ,. it can take up to five years but within in this you could be, performing many salon tasks. By proving you worth and talent, some salons will promote you and give you opportunity to grow and advance, we all learn and grow at a different pace.

How do I apply to become an apprentice? 
You can call the National Apprenticeships Helpline on 08000 150600. They will provide you with information as to where your nearest opportunities are. They will advise you on the career you wish to take, they will have access to many employers and be able to advise you on where learning providers are in your area.

You can also get in touch with employers directly. Ask them if they take on apprentices or would be interested in doing so. If they do. Then they will probably arrange to meet you, as they would a proper employee and interview you, to ensure you would be a good investment for them to make.

This being said you should also make sure. It's the right place for you, ask to chat with staff members.maybe offer to do a few trial days. This is a big decision. This is a two way thing both parties have to know agree and be committed to this journey together. Not all salon owners have the best interest of trainee's at heart! Some look at it a cheap labor  so ask the right questions make a list! compare what an apprenticeship offers against college or paying to take a shorter route career path by going to a private Academy ! lots to investigate.

Become part of a team! Learn how to communicate! Maybe gain some stage presence !

  

Use the internet as a tool to help you find. Where takes on apprentices in your area. Additionally, look in your local newspaper and visit your nearest job center. You have to make sure you choose the right apprentice scheme to embark upon as well, so look upon it as finding a job. Check out you college. Find out about the courses, meet some of the instructors, just because they are qualified standards of commitment vary greatly. Make sure you do your research, before applying to ensure that you would be happy, working in the salon you choose and the college you have to attend. This is a big decision.

Explore you creativity discover your self! Hard work but endless possibilities!

Again talk with people. Ask question, read and research. I hope that my blogs help to advise and guide you with this wonderful creative challenging career. 

Mike B2MR

changing times in the hair salon!

Back2myroots : A place to share thoughts and grow idea's. B2MR

Owning a salon. Working in a salon being a part of a team.  Maybe your renting a chair in a salon have your own business?  maybe your a small  work from a home salon business. A mobile stylist.

All of these are totally respectable avenues to explore within out industry but over the past years thing have changed hugely.

We have responsibility to our selves our work mates our clients to have a full understanding of all matters relating to health and safety. The legislation governing the safe use and indeed disposal of products keep up to date books and records having qualification, certification, and licenses.

On top of this new products new techniques the challenges of running owning managing a business managing people if quite a lot to deal with.  How do you?

Then there is finding time to reflect on. The direction you and your business are going in. The service you offer the standard of work being done. What ever your business model. How often do you take the time to reflect on any of these topic's in an honest reflective manner?

We have to find time take the time to explore avenues to offer help advise guidance.Training up grades
staying current with all aspects of our career and business. Here a few links to check out.

http://www.back2myroots.co.uk/

http://www.habia.org/

http://www.doubleyoursalonsales.com/                             

Keeping up with education in our chosen field is so important. Education creates excitement because there is always something new to learn. lose the passion lose the drive.

Education keeps you connected product knowledge is a must nowadays. Clients want to know that the ingredients and formulations are safe and what we recommending for them to use will work and be value for money. we as stylist need to know cause effect understand what we are using and why.

Social Media: LinkedIn, Facebook. Twitter. for examples help connect us with others who are inspire to share what works and doesn't work. Blog site where people share thoughts views opinions reviews.
professional groups and bodies always  good to be apart of Linked In is a great place to share and build a business profile.

We have to be aware and have an understanding of changes in the law and regulations pertaining to our profession Now I'm curious to learn more so. I'm not putting anyone (client, work mates and myself) in danger. Just because one is certified in a new technique it does not mean we have the full picture and trust what we are told as truth set in stone!


Law's and regulation are in constant change the information we are given on products how they work and indeed the effects that that can cause are not always clear but the burden to ask the right questions is on us their are no excuses for not knowing or understanding.

With a little time and patient we can research products read reviews get full insight into the good and bad what works and maybe what does not the more we as stylist share net work and connect the stronger we become its part of giving back sharing your experience strengths. It is my personal belief that if we know something but don't share it pass it on then it's a total waste!

I try to share to promote and sometimes pass on warnings . I try to communicate with others in our industry and to this ends in the space of 6 months an now net working all over the world with other like minded people in our industry. 

At the end of the day it's up to you what do you want are you prepared to make the changes needed to stay in the now? Its your journey your adventure!

A topic has arisen that is a follow on from my earlier posting ownership management chair rental. It's how we look at salary commission based earning or Chair rental. What is a fair rate? What is a fair way to compensate salon owner and stylist ? Without causing decent work place break down creating unwanted issues.

For the most part stylists after training will move around a few times trying to find a fit a work place that allows them to build up a good client base a place they can earn what they see is a good wage.

In many cases as time goes bye and experience is gained and our stylist starts to get busier bring in more money to the salon. As this happens resentment can set in with regard to ratio of pay to turnover.

How can this be prevented what are the signs of an unhappy Staff!
In many cases the staff room gossip signs of apathy lateness. Work standard dropping standard of service suffering.

Most stylist will think about and see things that exist within their work bubble a simple world of I do my clients they pay X at the end of the day i have brought in X and sold Y yet my take home pay is 

only X and that's before i pay Tax, I do all the work it's not fair my boss should get so much after all what do they do!! 

Commission can be mixture of guaranteed basic and commission targets as a productivity incentive or just commission. what is fair well of course as we get busier more established build our client base we can earn more on a regular bases but the thresholds will always be  how many clients can we do how much do we charge whilst maintaining standards and service!

It is a natural progression for stylist to look to get a bigger cut of the pie choices start your own business not easier or look at chair rental.

This gets interesting chair rental was when it first came out was quite visionary a stylist pays to rent a chair a space pays X per month and runs a small business within a business. Of course the down side is having to pay that rent whether you are busy or not! having to keep books pay your own tax. stock appointments you are your own little self employed Business.

As an evolution of this a new chair rental business scenario has come to my attention.

A stylist rents a chair fro a monthly fixed fee but also pays a percentage of their take to the salon owner. Hum! for the this owner provides salon reception sales support motivation marketing skills sounds good its seem's to be a blend between commission based and self employed.

But lets look at this with some bogus numbers.

Lets say our stylist is busy and turns over £1000.00 per week

£1000.00 x 4 = £ 4000.00 Month 50% commission  stylist earns £2000.00pre tax

now lets look at chair rental 

£1000.00 x4 = £ 4000.00 lets say chair rental £800.00 month  stylist take £3200.00 out of this they have to pay all expenses and Tax, insurance, stock assistance, everything. but the larger take is appealing.

£1000.00 x4 = £ 4000.00  then chair rental £ 800.00 month share of commission 50% 50% splits

so our £ 4000.00 a month less £800.00 = £ 3200.00 divided x 2 = £1600.00 

This would be £1600.00 for the stylist. £ 2400.00 salon owner.

Although the stylist left the salon in our first example paying commission for a better deal more control a bigger piece of the pie the down side is booking keeping paying tax keeping accounts.

From a Stylist point of view strait chair rental is the best deal but involves a lot more work and commitment from a stylist it's time to grow up and take responsibility for your self your actions.

The example that seems to offer the worst deal from a stylist point of view is rental and turnover split!

For this to work the split has to be less on the turnover  to make it as appealing as just chair rental the split would have to be Rent + 25% take fro the salon owner.

By nature Stylist will always want to move on find a place where they feel they are making a fair wage for there skill,  they will always feel they are working making money for the boss or owner it's natural

not always realistic given the costs of doing business.

In closing I think it is because of the above options many choose to become home based or mobile stylist.

I do however think that there is a fair balance that affords both salon owners and stylist  away of coming together to work and create a successful business that provides for all the key is communication honesty, discussing goals oh and not being greedy yep being fair you need each other .

hope this is helpful to all those trying to work out a career or business Move.

None of the above take into account charging VAT and keeping records and paying revenue for this said Tax. you are in essence a tax collector this Money should be put to one side.

Mike. B2MR