Chair Rental, Suite Rental, or Salon Employee?

Knowing Your Options in the Salon Business

If you’re in the hair industry, you know that there are three popular ways to operate as a stylist: working as an employee in a salon, renting a chair in a salon, or renting your very own salon suite. Which one is right for you? Today, we’re breaking down the key differences. 

Control

As an employee, you work for someone else, which means they control your clients, hours, and even your take-home pay. You have the least amount of responsibility, but also the least amount of autonomy. Renting a chair is the middle ground; you have a bit more flexibility but you still have to follow the rules of the salon where you’re working. Renting a salon suite gives you the greatest amount of freedom and the ability to earn the most amount of money, but it also comes with the most significant overhead. 

Brand

Only in a salon suite can you build your own brand and put your name on the door. Working in a salon in any capacity means that you’re defined by that brand, which makes it difficult to have an identity that’s your own. Leasing a salon suite gives you the ability to truly have your own salon and it’s a great stepping stone if owning a larger scale operation is in your future plan.

Investment

Working as an employee is the cheapest way to get started in the salon business because you rarely have to pay for tools and equipment. Renting a chair in a salon is fairly inexpensive as well, although you will be required to contribute to the back bar and other expenses associated with daily salon operations. Renting a salon suite requires the biggest investment, although suite rental properties such as Briary offer luxury furnishings as an inclusion so you’re only paying for your decor and what you use in terms of tools and product. 

Culture

By owning a salon suite, you’re creating the culture, not following someone else's. You get to choose your vibe and tribe and build an environment that suits the clientele that you want to attract. Many stylists say that the atmosphere in a salon is a major driver for going out on their own. If you’re not surrounded by people that make you feel great, it’s not easy to do your best work behind the chair.

Flexibility

While renting a chair in a salon used to be a more casual agreement, many salons are now leasing for one year or more, so be sure to know what’s required before you sign on the dotted line. Some spaces also charge a flat fee percentage for expenses, which may be significantly more than what you actually use. A salon suite rental is flexible and you’re in complete control of your expenses, revenue, and software, which makes analyzing your income a breeze. 

The wonderful part about working as a hairstylist is that there are so many options available based on your lifestyle and what works for you. Need a hand choosing the right path to follow? Don’t be afraid to get in touch to speak with one of our Briary mentors. 

Talia Horta is the co-founder of BriAry Salon Suites, a collection of boutique luxury spaces designed specifically for beauty business owners. BriAry Salon Suites offers rentals as well as business mentoring and coaching to help stylists, aestheticians, and technicians navigate the world of entrepreneurship. www.briarysalonsuites.com