With 26 years in the cosmetology industry, I’ve worn many hats: commission stylist for 12 years, booth rental salon owner for seven and now a commission salon owner for seven. 

My journey from stylist to salon owner has been one of growth, lessons and transformation. Armed with only a high school education and a cosmetology license, my passion for hair and determination to build something meaningful has guided me. Here are three key lessons I’ve learned:

Partnerships Are Hard

When I first opened a booth rental salon, I partnered with close friends, believing shared visions would make running the business easier. 

What I didn’t anticipate was how difficult aligning goals and decisions could be, especially in an industry filled with creative individuals who often have strong, independent ideas. Unfortunately, my business partnerships resulted in the loss of three dear friendships.

This experience taught me that while friendships can feel like a solid foundation for a business, they don’t guarantee shared visions or successful collaboration. Clear communication, distinct roles, and aligned goals are crucial when working with a partner.

Sharing Your Vision with Your Team

One of the biggest challenges in transitioning from a booth rental model to a commission-based salon was sharing my vision with my team. Many stylists in our industry aspire to independence, believing it’s the natural next step. What they often don’t realize is that being part of a supportive team with good leadership, a marketing system and business resources can foster greater growth than going it alone.

When I decided to pivot to a commission model in 2017, I approached my booth renters with transparency. I offered them the opportunity to transition to commission or remain as booth renters until it no longer worked for them. Over time, only one stylist transitioned, and the rest gradually left. 

The pandemic, however, was a defining moment. The commission stylists benefited from structured business support, such as access to unemployment benefits. This highlighted for many booth renters the limitations of their independent business models, leading some to re-evaluate their career paths.

Building a Sustainable and Supportive Business Model

One of my earliest lessons as a salon owner was the importance of knowing your numbers. When transitioning to a commission model, I calculated the revenue each station needed to break even and support the salon’s stability. Having this clarity helped me make decisions based on facts rather than emotions—a critical skill in leadership.

While numbers are an important part of growth, my vision was more about the environment I wanted to create. 

Coaching Plans: I created one-on-one coaching opportunities for every stylist, offering hands-on guidance to help them grow professionally and financially.

Cosmetology School Recruitment: We focused on hiring new graduates and mentoring them from the ground up. This built loyalty and gave young stylists a strong start in their careers.

Workplace Culture: Our salon became known as a place where stylists could thrive. Our team culture is a defining aspect of our salon and a big reason why so many love being part of our company. We prioritize connection, fun, and mutual respect through activities like regular team meetings, a yearly awards picnic, an amazing holiday party, a yearly salon retreat and casual get-togethers throughout the year. These events allow us to bond outside of work, fostering deeper relationships and trust.

At the core of our culture is our Code of Honor, which was developed by our team with guidance from the High Performance Salon Academy. It’s not a list of rules but a set of values we agree to live by, shaping how we treat each other and our workspace. From direct communication and conflict resolution to maintaining a clean, respectful environment, our Code ensures everyone feels supported. We revisit and refine it annually at our team retreat, emphasizing continuous growth and collaboration.

The Keys to Our Long Term Success

Today, I attribute our success to a few core offerings:

Employee Benefits: We provide paid vacation, 401(k) plans, sick pay(beginning next year) and guaranteed wages to support our team 

Strong Team Culture: By fostering collaboration and creating a supportive environment, we’ve built a salon where stylists feel valued and connected to our vision.

Leadership with Purpose: My role has evolved from hairstylist to mentor and coach, ensuring each team member feels supported in their personal and professional growth.

Looking back, I’m proud of how far I’ve come. Transitioning to a commission model wasn’t just a business decision—it was a personal evolution. Today, our salon thrives because of the amazing people who’ve joined our team and the shared vision we work toward every day.

For those considering a similar path, I encourage you to embrace change, define your vision, and never underestimate the power of a strong team. Growth isn’t always easy, but with the right foundation, it can be truly rewarding!