Self-employed mobile hairdresser vs opening a hair salon<\/h2>\n\n
If you\u2019re becoming a hairdresser from scratch, you might be thinking about the difference between becoming a mobile hairdresser as opposed to starting out by opening a small hair salon. And if you currently work for somebody else but dream of going self-employed, you might want to know about the route to take.<\/p>\n\n
They actually both offer different types of services and appeal to different kinds of clients. This means that there isn\u2019t always direct competition between the two.<\/p>\n\n
People who go to hair salons often enjoy it as escapism and pampering, whereas those who use a mobile, freelance hairstylist do so for the convenience.<\/p>\n\n
It’s a choice only you can make, but we outline some of the pros and cons of each below.<\/p>\n\n
Self-employed mobile hairdresser pros and cons<\/h3>\n\n
Pros include:<\/p>\n\n
- \n
- flexibility<\/strong> \u2013 you don’t need to open and close up shop, meaning if you need to stop work early, you can<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- personal relationships<\/strong> \u2013 you can develop a loyal client base, meeting people in their homes and building rapport<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- travel <\/strong>\u2013 this client base can be broad, as you need to travel to meet them<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- low overheads<\/strong> \u2013 you won’t have any rent payments and will likely not employ any staff<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n
Cons include:<\/p>\n\n
- \n
- stress of driving<\/strong> \u2013 you’ll spend a lot of time behind the wheel<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- lack of staff<\/strong> \u2013 this means you’ll be doing everything yourself, including cleaning your equipment<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- variable workload<\/strong> \u2013 you\u2019ll have both busy and quiet periods<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n
Opening a hair salon pros and cons<\/h3>\n\n
Pros include:<\/p>\n\n
- \n
- walk-in appointments<\/strong> \u2013 there’s always the opportunity for business as people walk past your salon<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- existing client base<\/strong> \u2013 if you’re taking over a salon, you’ll have an in-built base of loyal customers<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- opportunities to expand<\/strong> \u2013 with employees, a visible brand, and strong local presence, you may have the chance to expand your business<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n
Cons include:<\/p>\n\n
- \n
- high start-up costs<\/strong> \u2013 there’ll be a significant cost to get your hair salon up and running, and you’ll have continuing payments like rent to contend with<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- limited by your area<\/strong> \u2013 clients enjoy convenience, so may not travel far and wide to visit your salon<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- lack of flexibility<\/strong> \u2013 your salon will have set operating hours<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n
If you’d like to learn more, check out our article on how to open a beauty salon<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n
How to become a barber<\/h2>\n\n
While this guide focuses on hairdressing, many steps apply if you’re wondering how to become a self-employed barber.<\/p>\n\n
But when it comes to barbering, there are some key differences:<\/p>\n\n
- \n
- you’ll specialise in cutting and styling men’s and boy’s hair (whereas salons are unisex)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- tasks include trimming and shaping beards (and taches too)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- you’ll advise customers on hairstyles and grooming to suit their style and face shape<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- you’ll probably use clippers and razors to style shorter hair more often than scissors<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- barber shops can feel more casual than a hair salon<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- many barbers don’t take appointments and just have walk-in customers<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- barber shop prices are often a lot cheaper than hair salons<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n
How long does it take to become a barber? <\/h3>\n\n
It depends on the training route you take. According to the London School of Barbering, private courses take two to three months (but are expensive). Apprenticeships take two to three years, and college takes one to two years.<\/p>\n\n
Read more about <\/strong>barber insurance<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n
Renting a chair in a hair salon or barber shop<\/h2>\n\n
If you don\u2019t want to start your own salon but don\u2019t want to go mobile, you could rent a chair in an existing hair salon or barber shop.<\/p>\n\n
\n<\/div>\n\nWhat are the advantages of renting a chair in a hair salon?<\/h3>\n\n
By renting a chair in a salon or barbers you get a permanent place to work. You may also benefit from the salon\u2019s own passing trade. It can be a great way for self-employed hairdressers to become more established.<\/p>\n\n
You\u2019ll also be able to set your own hours and work flexibly. This is particularly attractive for self-employed hairdressers who have other commitments, like childcare.<\/p>\n\n
Compared to setting up your own salon, the start-up costs are a lot lower. Plus you won\u2019t have to deal with many of the logistical issues involved in finding premises and signing leases. That being said, you should have a watertight contract with the salon.<\/p>\n\n
So how much does it cost to rent a chair in a salon? <\/p>\n\n
1. You pay a percentage<\/h4>\n\n
Under this arrangement, you pay a proportion of your earnings to the salon. This is normally around 40 per cent, but some salons may charge more, especially if they’re very established or in a desirable location with lots of passing trade.<\/p>\n\n
2. You pay a fixed rent<\/h4>\n\n
This is the simplest arrangement. You pay a fixed amount each month to rent the chair. You know exactly how much you need to make every month to break even. However, remember you’ll still need to pay the same amount even if you go through a quiet patch.<\/p>\n\n
3. You pay a mixture<\/h4>\n\n
Alternatively, you might have an arrangement somewhere between the two options above. So, you pay a small fixed fee and the salon also takes a percentage of your sales. This way, you can be sure of the work you need to pay your rent every month, but it can be more expensive during busy periods.<\/p>\n\n
![\"barber-image.jpg\"](\"https:\/\/www.simplybusiness.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2024\/05\/barber-image.jpg?w=850\")
<\/figure>\n\nPhotograph 2: NDABCREATIVITY\/stock.adobe.com<\/em><\/p>\n\n
Understand the contract<\/h3>\n\n
It\u2019s important to have a contract with the salon you\u2019re renting the chair from<\/strong>. This should set out both parties\u2019 rights and responsibilities, as well as the amount that you\u2019re paying.<\/p>\n\n
But you should remember that this isn\u2019t an employment contract. You won’t get any of the benefits enjoyed by employees, although the positive is that you can control your own work patterns. Crucially, you’ll be able to keep what you earn, less any percentage fee for rent agreed with the salon.<\/p>\n\n
In addition, remember you\u2019ll still have to abide by all of the same tax and legal obligations as any other self-employed hairdresser.<\/p>\n\n
What qualifications does a self-employed hairdresser or barber need?<\/h2>\n\n
Hairdressing and barbering can be competitive, so qualifications make you stand out from the crowd. If you don\u2019t have them already you might need to find employment first, as training in a salon or barbers is often a great route to gaining them.<\/p>\n\n
Salons might offer an apprenticeship scheme, or offer training that isn\u2019t part of an apprenticeship.<\/p>\n\n
You can also gain qualifications by attending colleges. If you\u2019re working currently, you might be able to do this in the evenings or at weekends. You can choose to take National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs) in hairdressing and barbering.<\/p>\n\n
The London School of Barbering<\/a> offers courses that last from three to 14 weeks at different NVQ levels. <\/p>\n\n
If you\u2019re wondering how to become a hairdresser quickly, there are fast-track NVQ courses available, but these can be expensive. Ideally, you should also have some experience so you know what you\u2019re getting yourself into. <\/p>\n\n
You can also have a look at the qualifications listed by City and Guilds<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n
Whatever route you choose, make sure you research and plan your options carefully.<\/p>\n\n
Opening a hair salon: think about your premises<\/h2>\n\n
- limited by your area<\/strong> \u2013 clients enjoy convenience, so may not travel far and wide to visit your salon<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- existing client base<\/strong> \u2013 if you’re taking over a salon, you’ll have an in-built base of loyal customers<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- lack of staff<\/strong> \u2013 this means you’ll be doing everything yourself, including cleaning your equipment<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- personal relationships<\/strong> \u2013 you can develop a loyal client base, meeting people in their homes and building rapport<\/li>\n\n\n\n