Why Salon Employment Is The Future Of The Beauty Industry

By Laura Bell

Hi, I’m Laura Bell and I’ve been in the beauty industry for over 25 years. I started out as a Nail Technician and in 2005 I trained in Eyelash Extensions, which opened up a whole new side of the beauty world for me.

When I was 21, I opened my first salon. At the time, I thought being self-employed was the only way to do it. I believed that everyone who worked for me had to be self-employed too. For over 15 years, I ran my salons with self-employed staff, doing my best to grow the business. But over time, I realised something wasn’t right. It didn’t feel sustainable, and I could see it was holding me back.

As an educator, I often say to my students that being self-employed isn’t for everyone. It sounds amazing in theory but it comes with a lot of challenges that people don’t talk about. There’s the pressure of finding clients, running your own social media, managing your accounts, and handling every little thing yourself. I really believe we need to start talking more about the benefits of being employed in our industry.

Making The Switch

During Covid, I had a lot of time to reflect on my business. I realised that my original model wasn’t just risky legally and financially, but it was also stopping me from growing my brand the way I wanted to. So, I made the decision to change my whole setup and build an employed team.

It was honestly the best decision I’ve ever made. Since then, my salon has grown to a level I could have only dreamed of. I’ve stepped away from the treatment room completely and now focus on leading my team, mentoring others, and building the business.

The Benefits Of Being Employed In A Salon

There are so many positives that come with being employed. Here are just a few of the things my team now enjoy:

• Holiday pay
  
• A guaranteed wage
  
• Bonuses and commission opportunities
  
• Ongoing training and support
  
• Pension contributions
  
• No need to run their own social media or chase clients
  
• No stock or overhead costs
  
• Discounted treatments
  
• Working as part of a team
  
• Uniform provided
• A real sense of security and belonging
  

Being employed allows you to focus on what you love doing most without the stress of trying to manage everything else. You can just turn up, do beautiful work, and be part of a supportive team.

Why Salon Owners Should Think About Employment

If you’re a salon owner with self-employed staff, or you’re thinking about opening your own salon, I can’t recommend the employed model enough. It gives you structure, control, and room to grow.

Here’s what I’ve found since making the change:

• I have complete control over my business and my team
  
• My profit margins are higher
  
• I’ve built a strong brand culture where everyone works towards the same goal
  
• I can set clear working hours and standards
  
• The overall client experience is so much better and more consistent
  
• There’s no competition between team members for clients
  
• My staff aren’t building their own businesses off the back of mine
  

Having an employed team has allowed me to create something that feels solid and professional. It’s given me freedom, stability, and peace of mind.

The Bottom Line

Self-employment will always suit some people, but it’s not the only option. For many, being employed brings more balance, more security, and more opportunity to grow in a supportive environment.

If you’re a salon owner who’s ready to build a strong and successful team, or a beauty professional who’s craving stability, employment could be exactly what you’re looking for.

Reach out to me @laurakathrynbell and follow my journey navigating salon ownership and supporting others through the process.