People always say that the salon becomes your family. And after nearly 50 years combined in this industry, we can tell you… that’s not an exaggeration. You spend more hours in that building with those people than almost anywhere else in your life. So where you land matters. A lot.

Here’s how we’d approach finding a salon that’s actually the right fit for you.

Commission over booth, especially to start

Our top piece of advice for anyone coming out of school: find a commission salon with a great reputation to start at. Not because there’s anything wrong with booth rental (there’s absolutely a time for it) but because right out of school, you need a team around you.

In a commission salon, you have coworkers with different strengths. When you’re really struggling with something and the owner isn’t there, you have someone else on your team to help brainstorm. You’re surrounded by people who are invested in the same environment you’re in.

And typically, salons that prioritize strong customer service also prioritize strong team support. Those two things go hand in hand. That kind of environment is irreplaceable in your early years.

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