Budget Salon, Chair Rental, or Beverly Hills?

This posting is a little bit long, but if you read it to the end, it will have been worth the time.

If you are a freshly licensed cosmetologist, the world around you is filled with opportunities. Unfortunately, most of you won't be able to recognize them.

This article is only my opinion and it may not be relevant to your situation. But after 30 years in the industry, as a stylist, salon owner, educator, and school owner, I have enough experience that I think my opinion is on target for most people. It is an opinion based on experience, my own and that of others.
So hear goes:

As stated, there are so many opportunities (read: career paths) open for the new stylist, but lets concentrate on the big 6. Apprenticeship, Budget Salon, Mid-range Salon, Chair Rental, Beverly Hills (or whatever passes for Beverly Hills in your chosen city), and Hotels.

1 - Apprenticeship / Assistant;
Positives:
If you find the right employer, this is the greatest opportunity around. And there is no faster way to learn about the industry from both sides - hair and business - this includes; ordering/marketing/advertising/promotions/employees/hiring/ firing, and the list goes on. You will be working with an experienced and busy stylist, that is why they need an assistant. You have a guaranteed paycheck every week, plus tips; and each day you are presented with the opportunity to learn new things about your chosen career . Take it from me, "if I only knew then what I know now". This can be an easy way to begin building a clientele because most times, the stylist you are assisting will be happy to move some clients over to you. They have worked with these people for awhile, and know which ones will move and which will not.

Negatives:
After completing one or two years as an assistant, many stylists feel they need to move on to a different salon because they perceive the staff and clientele will always view them as an "assistant". This will depend a great deal on both the salon you work in, as well as your own feelings. However, even if it is true, what have you lost? You got paid, you learned, and you began developing a clientele.

2 - Budget Salon;
Positives:
This can be a great training ground especially if you are lacking in self confidence. At the prices they charge, most clients don't really expect a lot of technical skill from the staff. Thus, it is a great place for you to practice your technical skills without having the high expectations that clients tend to have in a high end salon. You also develop speed in this type of operation because of the volume of daily traffic. Finally, it is a paycheck from day one. You need not develop a clientele, the clients are there waiting for you. This is an excellent set up for a parent that needs to be home with their children and doesn't have a lot of time to sit in a salon waiting for clients. It is also a good idea if you are new to town and need to make money immediately.

Negatives:
On the negative side, you will not develop a clientele that you can take with you when you leave, and you will leave. These people may request you while you work there, but remember - they came for the discount price, and when you leave, they will stay there for the discount price - they will almost never follow you. A last thought on the budget salon, you probably will leave after a year or so because it is exhausting to work that hard for that little. Remember, no matter how high the commission (and it isn't that high - usually about 45%), it is a commission based on a very small price tag. It is wonderful in the beginning, especially if you are flat broke after a year or more of beauty school, but for most stylists, it is not a long term career path.

3 - Mid-range Salon;
Positives:
These are often mall based, national chains (Regis comes immediately to mind). Similar to budget salons, these salons have a "built-in" and ready waiting clientele, so you probably will not have to sit and wait a long time before performing a service. They charge a somewhat higher price than the budget salon and generally offer benefits such as insurance, paid vacations, and the opportunity to move into management.

Negatives:
Because they are generally mall based, you will work when the mall is usually busy. And when is that? Nights, weekends, and holidays. By virtue of being chains or franchises, they have a great many rules & regulations, including fixed schedules, time-clocks, and uniforms. All things that artistically inclined people, such as us, usually don't like.

4 - Chair Rental;
Positives:
You are your own boss. Appeals to the independent minded. You set your own hours, prices, and services. Enough said.

Negatives:
There is very little comeraderie at work. People come in, they do their clients, and they leave. If you are looking for a salon atmosphere, laughing, talking, and learning with co-workers, this isn't it. Learning new techniques and keeping up with new styles & ideas is difficult because the salon almost never has any kind on ongoing training. It can also be expensive. You have your fixed bills, such as rent and phone; along with supplies and advertising expenses. This brings us to the final question - where are you going to get your clients from? If you already have them and you enjoy working independently, this may be the road for you. If not, consider the other options.

I do not personally know even one stylist, who went this road directly out of school, and succeeded. This is an avenue better pursued by an experienced stylist with a clientele.

5 - Beverly Hills;
Positives:
It is Beverly Hills with all the panache and cache that carries. If you can make it here, you can make it anywhere. The salon will be first rate, as will the products and services offered. The prices will be high so you will be well paid for your work. And if you ever hope to become a stylist to the stars, this is where it is going to happen (not at SuperCuts).

Negatives:
It is Beverly Hills with all the stereotypes and expenses that carries. While the salon and its products/services will be first rate, they will expect you to be first rate as well. This means your technical skills and knowledge as well as your own hair, make-up , and wardrobe. Watch your language, most clients that can afford this salon are older, wealthy, and educated. There will be few, and probably no, walk-ins. It is about 95% referral. And since referrals tend to come from existing clients who send the referral to their own stylist, where is your business going to come from? If you want to develop this high end, glamouous clientele, you will need to have stashed enough cash to live on for about two years, or find someone who is willing to support you for the same period of time.

6 - Hotels;
Positives
Built-in, captive audience, clientele. The guests are in the hotel, they probably don't know of any salon in town and come into the hotel salon/spa for their services. People on vacation are usually willing to indulge themselves and spend more than they would at home, so prices tend to be high. In a year round tourist center (think: Hawaii and Las Vegas), this can be a tremendously profitable position. Clients all day, every day, all year long. High prices and usually company benefits including insurance and paid vacations. Finally, it is generally a happy and upbeat environment. People are on vacation in a beautiful spot - what is not to be happy about?

Negatives:
If the hotel is in a seasonal location (think: Aspen or Palm Springs), you will need to save your money for the off season. Your business will be primarily Blow-Drys, Up-Dos, Roller-Sets, and Men's Haircuts. Most women will have gotten their hair cut, colored and highlited by their stylist at home before going on vacation.

As I said at the beginning, these are only my opinions and they may not be right for you. Along with the above, consider the following thoughts when looking for a position:
1 - What is the age group with which you feel comfortable and enjoy working?
2 - Do you prefer a primarily male or female clientele (or you do not care)?
3 - What type/s of services do you enjoy doing the most (cut, color, highlites, etc.)?
4 - Where do you want to live (or at least spend the next few years)?

It is a lot to keep in mind, but if you do think of all these things when looking for a position, you will find the position that is right FOR YOU.

For assistance on passing your State Board Exam:
www.cosmetologystateboardexam.com

For some truly great insights into the world of a high end stylist, visit:
www.thescissorboy.com