Hiring for Booth Rental Hair Salons
The different personalities coming at an owner hiring will ultimately boil down to these three types.
*The Fresh Out of School Stylist
*The Commission to Booth Rent Stylist
*The F@@k that last Salon I worked at Stylists
Topics Include where you can find these stylists, why retention is so hard to keep them, and finally, why the stylists are not busy. Potential problems you as a boss may encounter and what to be prepared for if you hire them. Reasons you may not want to hire, and finally, the benefits of hiring these types of stylists.
***FRESH OUT OF SCHOOL STYLISTS
Where do you find them? At the local cosmetology schools- through your clientele. I’ve found that if you, as a boss, volunteer to teach a class or offer a helping hand at one of the schools – it can give the students a chance to get to know you.
Why is retention so hard? Your Salon may be too advanced for them. You may need a better plan/outline of ‘HOW’ to develop their skills. These stylists are scared, and if they have a plan of attack from you, the owner, they might not quit so soon.
Why is he/she not busy? They are not behind the chair enough, or you don’t have enough clients to help with the growth. Consider a better plan for advertising for these stylists.
Potential Problems? New stylists may cost you ratings because they are, in fact…new to the industry.
Be prepared for a stylist who is unsure of themselves and scared, and then the, ‘I can do it! Leave me alone!’ stylists. We focus on the personality of this stylist because for these newbies to make it in our industry and, more specifically, the booth renter industry, you need honesty as to how hard they will need to work to become solid stylists. Ask them if they intend to attend ongoing classes. Moreover- are you, as a salon owner, willing to allow them to hang themselves if they,’ Know it all” and don’t intend on attending any classes at all? The bottom line is that they will need guidance and a vast support system, which requires immediate immersion- and they need YOUR time. Give this stylist a mandatory one-month, 2-month, and 3-month evaluation. This is your time to see if you can work through the attitudes while they are developing their skills. Sit down and write up a list of what you want and expect from them.
DO NOT HIRE unless they pass all your basic requirements after three months. Did they work the hours promised or the hours needed? Have they set up ongoing classes for themselves? Do they roll their eyes and seem to hate your help with anything? Well, no surprise. * Insert sigh* They have not matured enough to understand you are doing this for them.
HIRE if you have the time and patience. They have a written plan and are working towards a goal. You are aware of underlying circumstances affecting their commitment. You see them trying!
***COMMISSION TO BOOTH
Where do you find them? Post pictures of your Salon and include the Salon’s everyday life. You are trying to let them see YOU. Let them try and imagine themselves working with you. Do you have funny moments? Or are you strictly chandeliers and straight-faced all the time? These stylists have been paying attention to your posts, probably more so than clients. So where do you find them? You don’t – They find you, and we are back to – are you worth working for?
Why is retention so hard? Usually, it’s because they lack experience or the requirements to run their own business. They are unable to work the hours. The clients may not have followed them, and they have a significant loss in funds.
Why are they not busy? These stylists didn’t contact their clients and didn’t plan on losing more than 50% of the clients because of a location change.
Potential Problems? They will feel overwhelmed by the responsibility of caring for themselves and their finances, taxes, and record keeping. They can’t afford the products. With their new feeling of freedom, they become undependable. The ‘I do what I want—when I want’ attitude takes over.
Be Prepared These stylists are ready to go- they want control over finances, their time and freedom, and a say in what products they use. Be Prepared to help them transfer into the booth rental by locating a local financial adviser to come into the Salon and offer a class on topics such as LLCs and high-yield savings- explain what a fiduciary adviser does. Owners make sure you both have a clear understanding of how they think you run your shop. They must understand your expectations of cleanliness, ongoing education, and client respect. These things are important because although they are their own bosses- your reputation is on the line, and it will be no one’s fault but your own if you do not ask the proper questions to sift through who you are hiring.
DO NOT HIRE—If they don’t have a checking account, hairdresser insurance, or their plan for an LLC – accountant – or respect for you and what you are trying to HELP them with. Understand they are now required to keep themselves updated in the industry; while it is not our JOB to help this much- you should be willing to go this far if you’re considering hiring a guy/girl coming into your Salon from a commission atmosphere. If they come in wanting a job because their last boss hurt their feelings, FLAG—These are serious things, and becoming a booth rent operator is a responsibility.
Hire If you have the time to coach with any new questions and see they fit with existing staff well.
***THE F@@K MY LAST BOSS
Where do you find them? In a couple of scenarios, they may find you through stylists’ grapevines or, plainly put, they found you because they know how envious the old salon owner was of your Salon.
Why is retention so hard? They may have a terrible disposition; he/she considers your Salon a steppingstone until they can collect themselves and figure out a better plan. You hired too soon.
Why are they not busy? Most likely, they didn’t have many clients, and the ones they had would not follow him/her because they were loyal to the Salon, not the stylist.
Potential problems? This stylist may have been the catalyst that caused the drama in the last Salon. They may bring old bad habits with them.
Be Prepared To ask questions, like why did they leave the last Salon? Was it a bitter ending? Is it a legal battle? A safety risk? Drugs? Insubordination? You may need to give this stylist a whole new clientele.
Do Not Hire If you see any animosity—anger—or if they are holding the old Salon directly responsible for all their life’s problems. They may have complained of not having enough clients—ask if they worked the hours needed. It’s hard to look into a mirror and see you may have been the problem.
Hire if you feel this is a good fit for everyone and they are willing to work the needed hours.
Booth Rental Salons can be challenging, uncommunicative, and cold, but they don’t have to be because you are ultimately in charge of WHO sits in your area and congruently aids in those types of atmospheres. Most booth salons host a small and efficient space, ensuring that the space holds a calm, collected feel. And that is what you are striving for: calm, professionalism, Steady, Great Work.
KEEP SCROLLING FOR APPLICATION BELOW
***APPLICATIONS
Our booth rent is ________. It is due every Saturday of the week. There is a $10 late fee. If it happens more than three times in a row, it becomes $10 a day.
NAME:
ADDRESS:
EMAIL:
INSTAGRAM:
FACEBOOK:
POSITION IN SALON YOU ARE INTERESTED IN:
Please list three things you feel confident about regarding your hairdressing skills.
Please list three struggles you have in your work & list why you think you need help in this area.
*** LET’S DISCUSS TOGETHER New Stylists
Please list the days and hours you intend to be at work physically.
Please list any current certifications you currently hold or are currently working on.
Please list a professional company (e.g., Redken, Goldwell, or Any) with which you intend to take classes.
What do you consider to be too much money for a class?
100.00 ——200.00—–300.00——-1000.00—-
Do you have up-to-date supplies? Shears? Blow dryer? Clippers?
What was the last class you had? What did you learn in that class? And were you able to apply the new techniques to any clients?
Have you ever dealt with any advertising?
Do you have a business account?
Have you ever had a financial class?
Would you be open to attending one?
Do you currently hold any hairdresser insurance?
Are you aware of the taxes you will need to pay?
Where do you see yourself in three years in our industry?
I will explain WHY I have a -1-month, two, month and 3-month evaluation before you are officially hired.
*** LET’S DISCUSS TOGETHER Commission to Booth Rental & F@@k My Last Boss
Do you currently hold any hairdresser insurance?
Have you ever had a financial class?
Would you be open to attending one?
Do you live within a reasonable distance of the Salon? Will the distance impact the percentage of clientele wanting to change locations?
Why do you want to change to booth Rental?
Have you prepared the clients for a change? How are you doing this?
Is your old salon owner supportive of the change? Why or why not?
Do you have professional cards to hand out?
Do you have a price list available for us to list on our website?
I will need a 3rd person Bio written up for us to display on our website.
*** LET’S DISCUSS WHAT OUR SALON IS ABOUT!
The goal of this application is to make sure you understand what type of Salon we host. We travel once a year to classes within the United States. Also, we host a community event for the public every year, and you are expected to attend. Our Salon is about work. We work hard so we can enjoy our lives; we are mindful of each other’s space, and we respect our clients immensely. We make money because we work hard here. We do not bicker or fuss- never has there ever been or will there be any animosity on the floor. We have meetings when needed, and I (the owner) will work around schedules as best as I can – You are expected to be there- I will teach you any class you need- all you must do is ask- We can work on mannequins- or you can bring in a client. Please understand – you represent our Salon- you are your own boss-
NO GO’S
DRUGS –
NOT SHOWING UP FOR CLIENT
SMOKING IN BETWEEN CLIENTS
LEAVING A CLIENT ALONE UNSUPERVISED WITH ANY CHEMICAL STEALING(BORROWING) OTHER STYLISTS EQUIPMENT
LEAVING THE SHOP IN BETWEEN CLIENTS
DRINKING WHILE WORKING
STARTING A FIGHT ON THE FLOOR
CLIENT DISRESPECT
NOT PAYING BOOTH RENT
NOT HELPING WITH CHORES
WE RUN AS A TEAM, AND TRUST AND COOPERATION ARE ESSENTIAL FOR LONGEVITY AND FOR MAINTAINING A HEALTHY WORK ENVIRONMENT.
Questions are asked here, so make notes- pay attention to keywords. Ex- they need to work asap- they like the look of your shop- your salon is walking distance- can they afford the leap into booth rental.
FUNNY APPLICATIONS
Name-Not what you like – but what is your REAL NAME the one everyone will call you – no Unicorns – or stupid shit please-
Address- Please do not sleep at the salon
Phone Number you will maybe sometimes answer
Email: I can try to contact you, but you’ll never look at it.
Instagram without pictures of your last drunk night out.
Facebook page where I can see the real you as I scroll to your kindergarten pictures.
The position you want.
Please list the days you THINK you can be here.
Please list why you think continuing education is overrated and why you will never need it.
Please list a professional company to which you might pay attention.
Please tell me if you’ll whine about a class that costs $25.
Are you confident your jerry-rigged blow-dryer will make it through a blowout?
Have you ever been to any classes? Did you learn anything, or did you leave the class and shop in the market area?
Did you think the class was stupid?
Have you done any other advertising for your business besides representing Claw Drinks on your Instagram?
Do you have a business checking account, or do you want your clients to make checks out to the credit card companies you owe money?
Do you have hairdresser insurance if you ignite someone’s hair because you forgot to listen to the teacher talk about how chlorine and bleach are not friends?
Have you ever paid taxes?
Do you have reliable babysitters?
Do you have a reliable alarm to wake your ass up to get to work?
I saw your car in the parking lot- can you safely make it to work?
Do you have any legal restraints against you, an ex, or family members?
Have you ever gone to jail for fighting?
Do you believe gummy bears are the answer to life’s dramas?
Are you a sober worker or need a bump to get you through the day?
Our shop is doing fine without you bringing the black cloud to us. Can you promise to try and work without getting on our nerves? Also, you are not allowed to cry or feel overwhelmed. You wanted this. Now work. Nothing comes fast or free, so be prepared to take the time to become a fantastic stylist. And for God’s sake, don’t ever roll your eyes at anyone. We will plot against you. If you do quit- don’t make a scene- just go- and we won’t hate you because we are not that petty so don’t be afraid to say hello on the street – don’t make it weird mmkay.
I know I’m going to get backlash about the word Hiring- look – your booth is available- and who you let rent that booth is a big deal- It’s a double edged sword- the salon gets ratings based on the work coming OUT of that salon. SO booth or not- cutting down on the types of stylist working next to you is a concern- and – if you want to help the stylists coming out of school or moving over from a commission shop is something only you the owner can answer- so cut through the boss lingo – no one cares – this piece is to let you know booth rentals salons can have a better idea of stylists coming in. You do have a say –
Yes they have the autonomy of being a booth renter with supervision and guidance of a mentor.
Salon Owner – booth rental worker – former commission stylist – Geez let’s not get crazy with this –
Heather Ryan Salon Owner
WWW.BookPressed.com owner
whackedadventures.com 