After you become a certified cosmetologist, you’ve got plenty of options to consider for starting work. Read on to learn more about booth rental and being a commission-based employee.
Deciding Between Salon Booth Rental and Commission Work
After you earn your cosmetology certification, you’re ready to venture into the real world of beauty. There are plenty of options to get your business going, but the two most common paths are booth rental and commission-based work at a salon. In both, you gain experience and grow your clientele by working in a shop that’s already established. There are, however, distinct differences between the two.
Booth Rental
Booth rental, also known as chair rental, is exactly what it sounds like: You’re not the owner, but you pay a monthly fee to perform services at a salon. It’s like a landlord and tenant relationship. You, the hairstylist, act as the tenant who occupies the salon space. The shop owner is like the landlord who collects your booth rent each month. Here are the pros and cons:
Pros of Booth Rental
As long as you pay your booth rent on time, respect your clients and co-workers, and clean up after yourself, everything should work out perfectly. Booth rental gives you just enough freedom to come and go as you please, have your own clients, and best of all, keep your earnings for yourself.
In many ways, booth rental allows you to be your own boss, without the management and administration responsibilities. You create your own price list and you’re the master of your schedule, so you’re free to create the work-life balance you’d like.
Cons of Booth Rental
Booth rental could be difficult if you don’t have a large enough clientele, because you’re fully responsible for having everything you need to do your job. If you’re having a slow month, booth rent is still due regardless, so you’ll have to come up with a way to make ends meet. You will also have to factor insurance into your budget, since booth rental doesn’t offer benefits like health and dental insurance.
While you’re budgeting, remember to save plenty of money to purchase your supplies. Aside from a salon chair and mirror, your booth space won’t come with products, styling tools, or other essentials.
Commission
A commission-based salon is similar to any other employer you’ve worked for. The salon owner is your employer. They hire you, the cosmetologist or esthetician, to work within their business. In this case, you’ll earn a base salary plus a percentage of revenue the salon makes through product sales and services.
Pros of Commission-Based Work
With commission-based work, you usually have a base salary, which offers financial security. On top of that, you still have your tips and commission as additional income. The best part? Your salon is stocked with all the products and supplies you need. You won’t have to bust your budget trying to afford booth rent and expensive cosmetic tools and products.
Cons of Commission-Based Work
Commission-based cosmetology is like a contractual agreement where you have a set schedule. Your employer dictates when you come into the salon and when you leave, regardless of how many appointments you have. There’s not as much independence and flexibility, so you’ll need to make necessary sacrifices and adjustments to your agenda.
Why Rushing Into Booth Rental Isn’t Recommended
You’re probably excited for your first real-world experience post-graduation, but remember to pace yourself. Booth rental requires additional education for new styles, techniques, and so on. Those skills will naturally develop as you go, especially when you give yourself some time to perfect your craft.
Working with salons that offer ongoing education is priceless. You can learn from fellow stylists and estheticians who have more years of professional experience. Don’t bog yourself down with the pressures of paying booth rent each month, purchasing pricey supplies, and juggling your responsibilities and clientele on your own.
Brillare Prepares You for the Real World
Brillare Beauty Institute prides itself on training students who blossom into successful, knowledgeable, and dynamic professionals. We’ll take the time to make sure you’re prepared for the industry. Come and visit our campus and tour our student-run salon and spa. Brillare is positioned to help you be all that you want to be.
