Comments on: Booth Rental: Is it Right for You?

By: Jon

Jon — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 09:28:52 +0000

Everyone will have their own opinion on this very controversial topic. If you read all the comments by your colleagues, you”ll see how divisive we are as hairdressers and salon owners.I have spent my whole career whole career helping both hairdressers and salon owners raise their standard of living. If you have read all my blogs and information ,you will see that these blogs are designed to help you succeed.I have donated a great amount of time and effort writing these blogs in an effort to help you make informed decisions about your growth and development.
As you can see I do not allow any product companies on my site so I can be objective and focused on your educational and business needs.
Many of our hairdressers and salon owners are struggling in this tough economy,I want to help them meet and overcome these challenges they face everyday.You choose the model that’s right for you.Yes I do have an opinion on this topic, but this is your site to voice your opinions not mine.
I do hope everyone reads these blogs with an open mind and with a positive attitude. These blogs encourage everyone to voice their concerns and opinions.
The end result you make the final decision that benefits you.Thank you for your comment.

By: Lucy

Lucy — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 00:33:00 +0000

I was quite impressed with this article at first. It seemed a touch biased, but was giving all the facts none the less, until the paragraph outlining commission sales from the stylists perspective. Having only pros and no cons in this paragraph makes the rest of this well written and informative article void. It leaves the question, are the pros so lackluster that you must leave off the cons to make them seem better or is there a con so inexcusable that in renders the pros null and void?

By: Brett

Brett — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 21:19:50 +0000

Those who are asking why a salon owner should keep half of the revenue generated by their stylists are really clueless when it comes to the business aspect of owning a salon. Do you all think these salon owners just snap their fingers and a salon magically appears, free of charge? Many salon owners take out personal loans to fund the cost of not only purchasing equipment, but paying for the exterior sign that goes overhead, paying for the build-out of a salon and paying for all other loose ends that go into the actual opening of the business. Then, they are locked into a lease, usually at a 3 year minimum. At roughly $2000/month rent, that equates to $72,000 they are locked into paying. For most salon owners, they are locked into $100,000 in debt before the front door of their salon is even open. And you have the audacity to ask why they should keep half of what you make?! Get a clue.

By: Jenny

Jenny — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 03:32:00 +0000

Contract. I have booth renters and they are under contract to clean, attend meetings, use salon price list for new clients, etc. I also have it in my contract for immediate dimisal and he or she cannot open or work in a salon x mile radis of mine for 2 yrs. Or a fine will be enforced. I provide classes and they have to attend a yearly hair show. All of this is in writing and they have signed it. So where is the problem?

By: Linda

Linda — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 15:19:54 +0000

Regarding the above post:
I believed this to be going to Mary’s e-mail (sorry) new to this forum. I’m having terrible carpal tunnel and my fingers are numb making typing very difficult/painful so I’m hurrying…..
Of course, I will appreciate any insight from any experienced owner in regard to my prior post.
Thanks in advance…

Linda

By: Linda

Linda — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 15:13:57 +0000

Mary,
was just reading through the forum talk on booth rental vs. commission and saw your post.
Although I am very experienced in business, not this industry as our business the past 37 years has been in construction (ugh right?)….
Our daughter is extremely talented as a professional makeup artist and hair stylist. We started on a shoestring a year ago October with a commercial space that we couldn’t lease to put our daughter (the stylist) in there to see how she did and, to our delight she has tripled the revenue in this 2nd year (2011). I am now deciding to get more involved and put more, very hard to find, cash into the place to make space for booth renters. Can you please share with me anything that you have learned? My husband and I were in a builder club for 11+ years through the Nat’l Association of Home Builder’s and it was an invaluable education as we met with 15 other builders from around the country twice a year, hundreds of e-mails, phone call, etc. in between the meetings. We learned, shared and talked about everything which is the good, bad and ugly and there is SO MUCH ugly as a small business owner that we need to stick together!
I sure wish I could find something similar for the Hair Industry………

Thank you so much,

Linda

By: Jon

Jon — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 07:29:28 +0000

Sadly our profession is dominated by the special interest groups and a bureaucracy that is outdated. Keep in mind you control your own destiny. No one is going to stop you from learning how to develop your skills and learning how to promote and build a great clientele. As for education, seek out quality education, be careful how you spend your hard earned money. I suggest you go to you tube, go to search, type in hair cutting, color, barbering,etc. Great educational videos and its free.
As for your salon owners, they too are trying to at least give you a job and an opportunity to be the best you could be. Perhaps you may want to voice your concerns, I know they will respect and appreciate your honesty. Dare be different,lead by example and remember referrals and repeat customers will be your score card.
Don’t give up on yourself. I wanted to quit many times during my 43 years as a hairdresser and salon owner. I too had a family, my motivation to succeed was my family. People go many years to college and usually end up in debt before they even get their first job. A hairdressing career offers a short cut to financial security once you gain experience and create a demand for your services.
As for renting a station,I would avoid for many reasons,not to mention our taxing agencies are targeting our profession for audits. I commend you in your efforts to build a career for yourself and your family.
I formed my educational company to help professionals like yourself who want to reach higher levels of excellence personally, professionally and financially. Make sure you join my business fan page and visit web site for a wealth of information and educational resources. If you have any concerns feel free to call me on my toll free number.

Jon
If you want glitter and hype, then I cannot help you,but if you want education, join our movement. I normally do not respond on this forum hoping others will share their opinions,hang in there, the door to education is never closed. With hard work,great determination,and on going education you will succeed. Feel free to call me anytime, you are the future professional that our profession needs. You must form a balance between work and family. I respect you very much.
Jon

By: Melissa

Melissa — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 02:08:04 +0000

I am currently in an Aveda Lifestyle salon we carry all their hair products and all our color is by them. I receive commission and that’s it. We have no benefits, the owner will not even pay for continuing education which is a requirement in our state. Even strongly advised me to go to an expensive class that was not honored by the state for continuing education. So I learned but did not receive my CE hours. I have three children, wasting my money on a class that was not worth CE hours and then having to take another class is a huge hardship especially since I live hours away from any classes given. so my point is… booth rental looks appealing to me but after reading your article should I just suck it up and stay where I am at?
Thanks.

By: Jon

Jon — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 20:19:39 +0000

I commend you for your excellent comment. If everyone would play by the same rules we all would benefit,including our staff. How can we continue to raise prices.insure job stability, with a constant threat of turnover? Well managed salons have a great competitive edge,and will always stand out. If we all played by the same rules and not try to get ahead at the expense of others by providing stability and growth to our salons then we can find ways to show our gratitude to our staff and create a benefits package with incentives, rewards, and sensitivity to their needs. Great comment.If you read all these different comments you will see all the division within our profession. Honesty and a code of ethics will always will always be the only way to build a hairdressing career and a successful business.
Jon

By: Mike Kaehny

Mike Kaehny — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 15:07:11 +0000

I’d like to know how many booth renters pay their share of taxes on the actual amount of money they take in. Do they carry proper insurance? Do they pay in to Social Security or their State’s disabilty programs? Being in an all cash business and using a paper tablet to track their business gives a booth renter plenty of chances to hide funds generated. I’m not saying all do but I’m sure the majority only report a portion of what they actually generate. Is this fair?
I run our salon completely above board. All revenue is reported and all taxes are paid. This is how a legal company runs. Because you rent a chair inside a building, are you really a “business”. Don’t we all expect businesses to be run legitimately? And if we do, why does this industry run so differently?
I look forward to your comments.