Are You Earning Enough? 

Boss Your Salon founder Maddi Cook’s new financial survey suggests you’re not – especially if you’re a business owner

by Amanda |  BUSINESS

Hair & beauty professionals need to double their monthly income to cover their cost of living and overhead expenses. That’s the major takeaway of a new pricing research survey by Boss Your Salon. 

The research, which used Boss Your Salon’s pricing calculators, revealed professionals earn an average of £13.25 per hour when factoring in client income. After accounting for non-client-facing work, the actual hourly income falls to £10.19. The results showed an average monthly income (pre-tax and National Insurance) of £1,533.42. Yet to cover the cost of living and overhead expenses, professionals need to earn £3,042 per month, according to Boss Your Salon’s calculations. 

Maddi Cook, Boss Your Salon’s founder, was keen to “get some numbers”, knowing anecdotally from her work with clients that price is a major challenge. The findings highlight that many are not earning enough to meet their basic needs.  

One of the biggest issues in Maddi’s eyes? People thinking in “bums on seat hours” when it comes to their pricing. “So they’d go, ‘Well, I work with clients 30 hours a week’. But I think we’re in this employee mindset of ‘I get paid for the hours that I’m working with clients’. They forget about all the hours that go into running a business,” she said. 

“An employee can down tools at the end of the day. They can finish it Saturday afternoon, and not have to worry about their job until Tuesday. Whereas business owners spend a lot of hours outside of work doing the marketing, booking and rearranging appointments, stock take and ordering. We need to get paid for all that time, because that’s work required to actually get those done.”  

“If it’s just bums on seats, we’re a little bit above minimum wage, which personally I think is terrible.” 

But once you take all the extra work into account, that’s when it drops down below Minimum Wage, or National Living Wage. If someone was on minimum wage in a job in Aldi or an office in the UK, you’d get 5.6 weeks paid holiday. You’d get six months full sick pay. You’d get maternity pay. You get a lunch break where you don’t have to worry about customer acquisition or accounts. So, you would be paid better in a minimum wage job, and you’d also get better conditions and job security.  

With about 44 per cent of respondents from hairdressing, Maddi is keen for hairdressers to realise and value their skills beyond hair. “So many hairdressers say, ‘I’m not good at maths’, and so they avoid it. That infuriates me because you are, you’re a hairdresser! You work in ratios and timings and weights,” she said.  

“If your income does not reflect the hard work that you put in, there is something wrong. Pricing is fundamental; just knowing your numbers is fundamental. It’s getting people to see this as the first and most crucial step before doing any of the other things, like marketing and social media.” 

Finding Success in Any Market: How Salon Owners Can Thrive in the UK’s Varied Markets

Navigating opportunities in both competitive hotspots and underserved markets 

by Caitlyn |  Industry News

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New data released by beauty and wellness marketplace, Fresha, reveals Blackpool as the beauty and self-care captal of the UK, due to a record number of beauty salons compared to the population. Bournemouth and Glasgow follow closely behind – while Gateshead is last. The study also highlights surprising beauty hotspots beyond major cities, such as Chelmsford, Worthing, and Preston.  

The full data from Fresha can be seen here. 

For hair salon owners and stylists, choosing the right location to open or expand a business is a critical decision. The UK’s hair industry presents a range of opportunities—from bustling markets, where demand for hair services is high but competition is intense, to quieter areas, where the potential for growth lies in less saturated environments. Success hinges on selecting a location that aligns with your business goals, services, and target clientele. 

Fresha summarises this balance: “Those in areas with a high concentration of salons, like Blackpool or Glasgow, face stiff competition but can be reassured by the high demand for beauty services in these hotspots. These may prove profitable areas for budding make–up artists and hairstylists to practice their trade.” 

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Understanding High-Demand Markets 

High-demand markets such as Blackpool, with 403 hair salons per 100,000 residents, and Glasgow, which boasts 360 salons per 100,000 residents, offer both significant competition and substantial opportunities. The dense concentration of hair salons indicates a strong consumer demand for hair services—a critical factor for those looking to tap into an established and hair-conscious customer base. 

Success in these saturated markets often hinges on differentiation. Offering specialized hair services, building a distinct brand, or delivering an exceptional customer experience can set your salon apart. The competition may be fierce, but the rewards are considerable for those who can carve out a unique niche or deliver superior quality. High visibility, word-of-mouth marketing, and a loyal customer base can be achieved more quickly in these areas. 

The Potential in Underserved Markets 

Conversely, areas with fewer hair salons per capita, like Gateshead (40 salons per 100,000 residents) or Swansea (77 salons per 100,000 residents), present a different kind of opportunity. These markets may not have the immediate demand seen in larger cities, but they also offer less direct competition and the chance to establish your hair salon as a local leader. 

In underserved markets, the key to success lies in addressing unmet needs. Whether it’s introducing a wider variety of hair services, offering luxury treatments where they are scarce, or simply providing top-notch customer service, you can position your salon as the go-to destination in these communities. With less competition, there is more room to grow and potentially dominate the local market. 

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Balancing Risk and Reward: Thriving in Any Market 

The decision of where to open or expand your hair salon should reflect your specific business goals. If you are prepared to differentiate yourself in a crowded market, hair hotspots like Blackpool offer a ready and eager clientele. However, if you prefer to build your brand with less pressure from competitors, exploring less saturated markets might be a better fit. 

Whether you choose a competitive market or an underserved one, both paths offer potential for success. The key is aligning your business strategy with the characteristics of the market. By understanding local demand, differentiating your hair services, and building strong client relationships, your salon can not only survive but thrive in any market. 

The UK’s diverse hair industry offers numerous opportunities for savvy salon owners. Whether you are drawn to the thrill of a competitive hotspot or the untapped potential of a quieter market, with the right approach, your hair salon can achieve lasting success.