what is NOT rent-a-chair?

What is not a Rent A Chair, Micro or Solo Salon set up?If the owner of the salon pays the operators a wage, percentage wage, or commission, and/or provides items such as colour, back bar shampoo's and schedules appointments. If the owner of the salon process's credit card transactions through a centralised unit and/or their business bank account. If the owner of the salon is somehow responsible for paying holiday pay, sick leave, insurance, workers comp, and/or superannuation.If the owner of the salon sets hours and has control over the stylist opperations.

If this be the case, then the salon owner is an Employer and the operator is an Employee, rather than Sole Trader and/or Independent Contractors. If this deal sounds familiar to you, you had better make sure you're not under any illusion of Renting A Chair or being a Sole Trader, if so, consult the ATO and your Hairdressers Registration Board immediately!

What’s the difference between being a solo-preneur and being employed?

I made the switch from being an entrepreneur to a micro-preneur just four years ago, downsizing from a staff of 18 to a staff of one: me! I opened my first Micro Salon only two weeks later. Subsequently, I was fortunate enough to work alongside a number of other solo-preneurs, some of them former employees, and they shared some great insights with me – specifically, regarding the contrast between the old ways and the new. It’s been amazing to see how each developed in their new found role.

Here’s what they had to say on the subject of solo-preneurs.

‘It’s all up to you now. Make the money and take as many holidays as you want! I’ve been away more frequently as a Micro Salon operator then ever before. Last year I took three months off to live in New York City and was paid commissions (by the stylist who substituted for me) while I was away. It doesn’t get much better than that.’

‘Work your own hours. Imagine the freedom! No more traditional business hours.’

‘Charge what you’ve always thought you were worth. There’re no rules anymore; you can be competitive or not, it’s up to you.’

‘Wear whatever you like. Want to become a thespian hippy type? If that’s what you want, why not?’

‘You choose your workplace. No more job interviews in ‘sus’ establishments. Pick a salon with a Micro Salon structure and start making money for yourself.’

‘Attract the clients you want. Maybe you’ve worked in salons where the location, décor, etc. attracted clients who weren’t your type. Now you’re free to target an entirely new demographic and go for it.’

‘Make money elsewhere and create multiple income streams.’ (Often, solo-preneurs to have more than one income stream.)

‘Barter your services and do contras with whoever you choose: printers, beauticians, restaurants, etc. ‘

‘Work with your own best interests at heart. If you don’t feel like it, you no longer have to do it!’

‘Sack a client! Some are too much like hard work – uncomfortable, distrusting or just plain freaky. Now you can let a client go without the boss berating you for it afterwards.’

‘Get paid every day. Yeah!’

‘Work for someone else part-time. Help out other Micro or Solo Salon operators who are going on holidays – you can earn the money and pay them a commission for the opportunity.’

‘Sell your own products. You can choose products you love and clean up on retail sales. Most product companies offer a 50% to 100% mark-up, meaning you make a 25% to 50% profit. You can sell a bottle of shampoo for $30 and make $15…not a bad way to create more income in your business.’

‘Be proactively and seek referrals. Why not? The money goes into your pocket, not your boss’s, and it lets your clients know you trust them (and they you) and the people they send your way.’

‘Run your business your own way. Providing your style complements that of the other stylist/s (if any) and/or the salon owner, you’re free to steer your ship any way you like.’

‘Seek out like-minded individuals and create an exhilarating network of Micro and Solo Salon owners. Get together and discover new and exciting ways of doing business.’

‘You can choose who to deal with: product companies, retailers, etc. You’re limited only by your imagination and how much you can afford!’

‘Control your income. Make your money work for you as much as you can.’

‘Change suppliers whenever you wish. If you’re not getting the service you want, you can now afford to pick and choose.’

‘Close your business if you want to. Now, if you want out for any reason, it’s entirely your decision.’

As a solo-preneur you have total autonomy. Just embarking on the process reconnects you with who you are or want to become. For some, it rekindles their love of the trade; others feel liberated enough to embark on something completely different. It’s amazing what happens when you feel happy and grounded with what you do for a living. And it’s a great way to establish whether hairdressing is really for you. If it’s not, you’re well on the way to deciding where your next career path will take you.

Good luck!

Cleve
Micro-preneur