LEARNING CENTER: DISCOVER SALON BUSINESS INSIGHTS
Find your perfect salon space for rent on Chaired
What is a Salon Suite and IS IT Right for You?
What is a Salon Suite?
A salon suite is a private salon space where salon, beauty and wellness professionals operate their own independent business but without the large upfront costs, hassle and risks of opening their own traditional salon. The private suites are part of a larger space that may offer amenities and a communal waiting area.
We often hear, “how are salon suites different than a chair rental?” The biggest difference in moving to a salon suite is that you now have your own room, with walls and a door that locks. You gain privacy and control over the space - you can safely leave your equipment in the locked suite, decorate the suite how you like, and better control your customers’ experience. The trade off for these salon suite features is price. Salon suites are generally more expensive than renting a chair. But some stylists prefer to work in an open, traditional salon - this a very personal decision and you should consider what environment and working arrangement feels best for you and your unique situation.
Is a Salon Suite Right for You?
If you have an established client base and a desire to own your own business, then the salon suite model could be right for you.
How are Salon Suites Different than Working for a Traditional Salon?
When you lease a private salon suite you own your own stand-alone business, within a larger space. Your suite is specifically and uniquely for your business, your brand and the money you make is yours.
Similar to renting a chair, you’ll be paying a fixed rent amount. So as you serve more clients, 100% of that additional services profit goes into your pocket - you don’t share a % with the salon owner like at a commission salon.
In addition to keeping the profits you earn from providing services, at most salon suites you will also keep all profits on products you sell, and you get to choose the products you want to sell versus selling what the salon dictates.
With a salon suite you are your own boss. You set your own hours and choose the services that you offer, working when you want and how you want.
Your suite offers you and your clients a private space with your brand and your vibe. If you think that open, traditional salons are loud and crowded then you might prefer a salon suite. You can play your own music, have private client conversations, have your own signature scent, your own color harmony, and more. You are able to make your space a reflection of your personality and the type of service and experience you want to offer your clients.
For some, this sounds like a dream come true. Other stylists love the energy of open, traditional salons. The beauty is, you can choose what’s best for you!
How is a Salon Suite Different from Opening up Your Own Salon?
A salon suite is similar to opening up your own salon, but with far less risk, less work, lower upfront costs, and more rewards.
LESS WORK:
When opening up your own salon you will be responsible for doing many time-consuming and costly tasks, on your own:
· Finding the appropriate real estate
· Negotiating with landlords
· Obtaining permits for any work that needs to be done to prepare the space
· Finding and negotiating with contractors and electricians
· Determining what is needed in regard to heating, cooling & ventilation
· Setting up a phone system and Wi-Fi
· Setting up accounts for other utilities such as power and gas
· Setting up scheduling software and payment processing
· Hiring an assistant to answer phones & emails, greet clients and set appointments
· Setting up security
As with renting a chair, with a salon suite these things are usually done for you so you can focus on your clients.
Instead of signing a long-term lease in a space that is not quite outfitted for beauty & wellness services, you can have a flexible lease in a turn-key suite that is created specifically for salon, beauty and wellness practitioners and is move-in ready.
How Do I Find a Salon Suite Available to Rent?
There are many ways to find salon suites. Chaired has many salon suite listings in its active cities.
You can also try to Google for local salon suite businesses. For example, some common phrases you could search for are:
salon suites in LA
salon suites in NYC (or whatever city you are searching)
salon suites for rent
beauty salon for rent
New York salon suite rental
Craigslist is still a great resource for finding salon suites and salon chairs available for rent. They are often posted in the salon-spa-fitness category.
Credit: #NYCStylist
If you’re having trouble Contact Us, tell us what you’re looking for and we’d be happy to point you in the right direction!