Whether youâre renting a chair at the freshest barbershop on the block or working as an independent contractor at a chic boutique that accommodates A-list clientele, thereâs always the same looming questionâwould owning and operating a salon suite be an even better fit?Â
Private salon suites have been around for decades. Theyâre popular in the beauty and wellness industry, because professionals get the chance to run their own businesses without the upfront costs of buying property or the hassle of managing a staff. Â
Many of the locations look just like fresh condominiums or soft lofts with a long list of trendy amenities, such as private rooms, modern equipment, and electronic security monitoring. And across the country, more industry experts on Booksy are choosing to own these private spaces. Â
To all of the grooming experts, beauticians, colorists, nail techs, and wellness providers considering this route, hereâs the ins and outs of this rising trend told from the perspective of two successful Booksy business owners, who both felt that it was time to step out on their own.
Almost two years ago, 25-year-old Amanda Annoreno was styling hair as an independent contractor at a trendy salon on the Northwest Side of Chicago. Although she had loyal regulars and three to four walk-ins a week, things weren't working out for a number of reasons. Â
First and foremost, Amanda just wanted to be able to control her finances, something she felt she deserved after six years in the industry. âI didnât want to give any more of my hard earned money away that I was bringing in,â Amanda said.Â
âI realized what they were taking from us, and it was just unnecessary,â she said, adding that she learned information about overhead costs and how much money it takes to run a salon. And it wasnât as much as her previous employer âmade it out to be.âÂ
In April 2018, despite being âvery scared,â Amanda said she took steps to open Loft 24 in Wicker Park. Inside her cozy space, where almost a dozen plants add life to the already warm room illuminated almost entirely by natural lightâAmanda tripled her income that first year. Â
Today, she canât imagine being happier. âWhat could you not want? You have all of your freedom. You run your own books. I mean if youâre an independent contractor renting your own chair already, why not just eliminate the middleman and just do it yourself?â she said.
Even though it may seem like this process was almost too easy for Amanda, it actually took months of hard work and planning. A few of the things she did on her own and recommends to others who are thinking about owning their own salon suite include:Â
Tripling her profits the first year was obviously huge for Amanda. But that wasnât the only thing she gained from running her own salon. For Amanda, being her own boss meant feeling truly independent for the first time and being able to give her clients better, more private sessions.Â
âMy clients are a lot happier, she said. âA lot of my clients suffer from anxiety and different sensory issues. And so, I feel like it helps them to be in a space thatâs just with one other person and being able to shut out the rest of the world, while theyâre trying to focus on themselves.â Â
Before joining Booksy and moving into her own private salon, Amanda had to deal with booking problems, because she wasnât allowed to schedule her own appointments. Clients had to call and speak with a receptionist, which lead to double or triple bookings and limited break times.Â
âYou already know what to do, their hairâyouâre doing it. You donât need someone to hold stuff over your head, like when you can and canât take a break. How about when I have a break itâs because I have a break in my day, and Iâm going to have a break now. You know when you need to have a break, so you can pencil that stuff in yourself. And nobody can tell you no!â Amanda said.
Just a 15-minute drive from Amanda, tucked inside his own colorful shop, proudly stands 39-year-old Montez Washingtonâthe owner of Montez Barber Studio. From his location in South Loop, Montez runs a space that he describes as a man cave but is so much more.Â
The pictures on his wall include a smiling image of Marvin Gaye, who he resembles in both complexion and soulful demeanor. And thereâs also a framed poster that hangs high, just below the ceiling, which reads âMarvelâ in reference to the critically acclaimed superhero films. Â
Montez spread his wings in April 2018, after spending six years at a barbershop in Naperville. Even though he still plays some of the same jazz songs and loves to recreate the familiar, family-oriented vibe where he was mentored, he doesnât regret making a name for himself. Â
âBeing under someone else, you can only do so much. You have a limitation on what you can do because itâs not your location, itâs not your brand,â he said. âI felt that I was building my brand, and making my own noise for my own nameâbut I felt I couldnât do certain things, because this personâs name is on the board.â
Now that Montez has successfully opened his own shop, where he has created an environment that expresses his original brand of grooming services that people have been appreciating for years, his advice to anyone who wants to do the same is to strive for repeat business. Â
Montez said private salon suite owners typically donât get walk-ins from off the street, since people canât always see them from outside. Because of that fact itâs even more important to offer quality over quantity and make sure clients keep coming back. Â
Taking time to add subtle touches requires more effort, but it distinguishes his business from others, he said. For example, Montez schedules clients far enough apart, so they never see one another to make sure every guest feels special and not like just another guy on the list.
Another thing that he suggests is to give yourself a specific pay date and make sure to deposit loose cash into the bank, because too many dollar bills can lead to overspending.Â
âItâs real easy to reach in your pocketâoh let me go to Burger King real quick. Before you know it youâve been there about 20 times, and youâve already spent your dayâs earning, and you donât have nothing to look forward to. At year two, this is still something that Iâm learning,â he said.
On a final note, Montez said that if youâre thinking about running your own salon then itâs even more important to make a solid decision and decide if this is right for you. Because all of your efforts after opening your own business require self-motivation, he said.Â
âThe most important thing that I always go back toâyou have to love doing this. And do not make this just a job, and if it becomes just a job then move onâthen pass that torch to someone else. Donât get out here and just sit behind a chair and just cut hair and not give anyone an experience, something to look forward to on a Friday at 5 p.m.,â he said.
