Two models, two worlds
As a salon owner you sooner or later face an important choice: do you work with chair renters or employ your own staff? Both models have a long tradition in the beauty industry and each has its own pros and cons.
With chair rental you rent a workspace to self-employed hairdressers who bring their own clients and are responsible for their own revenue. With own staff you employ people who work under your direction. The choice has major consequences for your operations, finances and daily working atmosphere.
In the Netherlands more and more hairdressers are choosing the freelance model, but that does not mean chair rental is always the best choice for you as a salon owner. It is important to carefully weigh both options against each other.
Pros and cons of chair rental
Chair rental is attractive because of the financial predictability. You receive a fixed rental amount per month, regardless of how busy it is. This makes your fixed costs clearer and lowers the financial risk.
Additionally, you don’t have to deal with payroll administration, holiday days, sick leave or other personnel matters. The chair renter is a self-employed entrepreneur and handles this themselves.
On the other hand, you have less control over the quality and appearance of your salon. Each chair renter works in their own way, uses their own products and sets their own prices. This can lead to an inconsistent client experience.
- Fixed monthly income from rental revenue
- No staff costs and administration
- Less control over quality and brand experience
- Risk of sham self-employment with incorrect arrangements
- Chair renters can leave and take clients with them
Pros and cons of own staff
With your own staff you build a close team that shares your vision and quality standards. You have full control over the service delivery, the products used and the client experience. This results in a consistent and recognisable brand.
Own staff also means higher fixed costs. You pay salary, premiums, holiday pay and employer contributions. Additionally, you are responsible for the wellbeing of your employees, including during illness.
The big advantage is that you bind clients to your salon, not to individual hairdressers. When a staff member leaves, clients typically stay with your salon. Moreover, you can invest in training and thus raise the level of your entire team.
- Full control over quality and brand image
- Clients are bound to the salon, not the hairdresser
- Opportunity for team building and collective growth
- Higher fixed costs from wages and employer contributions
- Responsibility for personnel matters and sick leave
Making the right choice with salon software
Regardless of which model you choose, good salon software is indispensable. With chair rental you need insight into occupancy and rental income. With own staff you want revenue per employee, rota planning and performance overviews.
MyWest supports both models. You can add staff with their own diary, view revenue reports per person and efficiently manage your entire salon. This way you make data-driven choices about the future of your salon, whether you work with chair renters or own staff.
Tip: start with a hybrid model if you are unsure. Combine one or two permanent employees with chair renters. This way you build a stable core while retaining the flexibility of chair rental.