How to Transition from Commission to Independent
Most beauty professionals start out in a commission-based salon environment. It’s a great way, as a beginner in the industry, to learn from seasoned beauty professionals and spend some time perfecting your craft. Eventually, if you’ve worked at a commission based salon long enough and have established your own clientele, the thought that it's time to go out on your own may eventually pop into your head. It can definitely be a scary thought at first, thinking about owning your business and taking on that responsibility… but it doesn’t have to be stressful and chaotic. If you’re thinking about going solo, Here are a few tips to make your transition from commission to independent a little smoother:
Ask for Advice from other Salon Suite Owners
Why go through all the aches and pains of going independent when you can get advice from someone else who has already been through it all? It's always a plus when you have someone at your side to help you determine what you need to know about going independent. From figuring out how to register an LLC or deciding how to set up your business banking accounts, having someone else’s brain to pick makes the process so much easier to navigate.
Get Down to Business
While going solo comes with a ton of perks there are also some extra responsibilities that come along with it. From business licenses to taxes, there are a lot of different factors that go into being an independent beauty professional. Check out our free guide to going independent which contains all the information you will need to get started!
Know your Worth
Some newly independent beauty professionals make the mistake of basing their pricing off of what they were doing at their previous salon. As you start your journey into becoming independent, you will want to revisit your pricing. While you will most likely make more money as an independent beauty professional, since you’re keeping 100% of your profits, there are also some overhead costs that go into being independent. Be sure to take all of your overhead costs (rent, products, etc.) into account when deciding your pricing. Going independent gives you the opportunity to raise your prices so you have more control over what you’re able to bring in with each hour and client you spend your time with.
Hustle Harder
If you’re currently working in an established commission based salon, you may be getting some of your clients from walk-in traffic or just through being associated with that salon. Even if you have a full book of clients, you can’t assume they are all going to follow you to your new salon. For that reason, its important to keep putting yourself out there. You can do this by regularly promoting your work through social media, creating a referral program with your existing clients, and making sure your new business is visible online (Google business page, website, etc.)
Boost your Productivity
Running a successful salon is all about using the right tools to manage your salon and boost your productivity. There is a ton of great tech designed especially for salon suite owners. From booking apps to inventory tracking tools, there are lots of options available to help you manage your salon more efficiently. Some of our salon suite owner’s favorites are GlossGenius, Vagaro, and Rosy Salon Software.
Hopefully with these tips and a little planning, the transition from commission to independent will be much easier. Even though going solo isn’t always easy, any salon suite owner will tell you that it’s 100% worth it in the end! Are you ready to move forward with your dream of being a salon suite owner? Contact us today to get started.