During COVID, stylists short on money, and the surge of impatient clients caused many stylists to go to people’s homes and cut, color & style hair. Commissioners got a taste of freedom.
No front desk monitors, no tickets to write up, no office visits telling you how poorly your numbers were just a simple house visit, and a thank you as they handed them money. Not a percentage of the funds…ALL of it.
All over America Commission Guys/ Girls want more freedom from the commission shops, and the COVID break let them see Booth Rental is a genuine possibility. The change is already starting, and we are seeing the drop in commission shop stylists and a substantial uplift in Booth Renters.
Commission shops are a beautiful thing for the fresh out of school stylist. You get a chair to work behind and become a part of a team. A boss who has established the business to ensure you have overflow and a way to earn money. All of the essentials are given. Commission owners provide a show up for work, and we’ll take care of the rest attitude. So, what has gotten into these commission stylists that would EVER make them want to consider leaving such a spoiled job?
Money
The same reason most commission shops have 30 chairs going, you do it for the money. We all do. When stylists grow in technique and start to understand their worth, the game changes, sometimes the only thing keeping the stylist at those commission shops is-
Loyalty
I find it ironic that MOST commission owners complain that their stylists ASK to become Booth renters.
STOP – Did you catch that?
Yes – most stylists do ask- and why do they ask? Because they trust you bosses as mentors- they like where they work, and they are offering you a chance to KEEP them before moving on. So – Why should Commission Owners consider the option of adding Booth rental?
Salon Credibility
Its something your Senior Stylists have earned for your shop. You provided a few clientele for those producing stylists – they just gave you more by doing a fantastic job. You know they are doing well- you can see the numbers. WHY NOT KEEP THOSE STYLISTS? They are making you look crazy awesome!
Suppose the commission shops do not consider other avenues to keep these senior stylists who are producing better work- more money – and being the example for the Jr. staff. Who knows what the future will hold for the commission shops.
Doesn’t sound very good- But an honest look at this situation is- If you don’t start working with your staff or seeing further into the future of hairdressing – you will consistently lose top performers to another shop, or they may end up taking your team with them when THEY open a salon of their very own.
The consideration for the Commission salons is this – offer stylists a growth option to do booth rent. Suppose you own a LARGE commission shop. Consider opening a sister company to let stylist move to when they reach a certain earning point and then you owners will have a better number to work off for BOOTH RENTALS.
For the commission owners- stop expecting top players in your salon not to question the system.
These are creative professionals, and if you train them correctly, they WILL ask questions.
Prohibition Hairdressers have seen what they are worth. They have seen the money possibilities. Where Commission shops may always be the best solution for the beginner stylist, they may not be the consideration for the Senior Stylists.
So —if you want to continue growing in the industry – be willing to change- after all, you cannot as owners be the exception to the growth rule.
I am just keeping it real for both sides.
Salon Owner and Writer Heather Lea Ryan
whackedadventures.com 