I started my hairstyling career in 2010, as a fresh-faced baby stylist, excited to take on the world! My first stylist job was at a small 6-chair commission salon in Boulder, Colorado. At this salon, I learned from many mistakes behind the chair, built relationships with my coworkers and clients, watched my loyal clients get promotions, get engaged, and then married, and then have babies. I traveled to New York City and Las Vegas for education, attained my barber’s license, learned that I loved men’s haircuts and low-maintenance colors, and learned all about marketing and social media for hairstylists and salons.
Eight years later, I felt I had outgrown the small salon in my business ambitions, plus the commute from Denver to North Boulder everyday was getting old (you can only listen to so many podcasts, ya know?)
It was December 2019, I had wrapped up my final holiday season at the only salon I had ever worked at, and I had some decisions to make. Did I want to find a new salon in Denver? Did I want to try booth renting? Or what about those cute salon suite studios I’ve seen everywhere? What does my career look like moving forward?
I interviewed at this very cool commission salon in a hip neighborhood of Denver, but at the time I was burnt out from working for someone else. I checked out one booth rent salon in the heart of Denver’s LoHi, but that, too, didn’t quite fit. Finally, I toured two separate salon suite locations in Arvada, a happy halfway point between Denver and Boulder for any guests who might want to follow me.Â
I found the cutest little salon suite, that I could decorate however I wanted, listen to any music (or podcast!) on the TV in the room, have full control of my schedule, it seemed like a dream! The salon supply store was in the same parking lot, plus lots of places to grab lunch or coffee.Â
Spoiler alert: My salon suite business didn’t work out for me. And there are two major reasons why.
I got the keys to my salon suite in February 2020, with no idea of what was the come. In March 2020, the Colorado government ordered all hair salons to shut down in efforts to control the outbreak of Covid-19. Luckily, the weekly rent was postponed while we were legally unable to provide services, but the stress of the unknown was starting to build. Would my clients come back after Covid? Would they feel comfortable in a small, windowless room with nowhere to walk around or get some air? Would I feel comfortable?
But we pushed forward, with masks and handwashing, social distancing and capacity limits, and I tried to navigate being a business owner for the first time.
I had a decent sized clientele that followed me from my old salon, but even after eight years, I only had enough guests to fill three days a week. (I had a second part-time job working at a bridal gown shop.)
Here’s the reality I faced when I became the owner, stylist, receptionist, inventory manager, cleaning staff, social media manager, and sole employee of my business: I indeed wore every hat. Every responsibility was my own. I was in charge of making sure I had enough shampoo, conditioner, and styling products on the backbar, not to mention a variety of products that served a variety of hair types. I was in charge of making sure I had enough color on hand to do any service my guests may have asked for. (I did a lot of virtual consultations during this time, but many times I had to run to the supply store during a processing time to grab a color I didn’t know I needed!)
I was the one making confirmation calls, I was the one scheduling and rescheduling every single appointment. I was the one asking for payment. I was the one taking photos, and sharing photos online, and engaging on my social media platforms. I was the one making every creative decision, and I was the only one to brainstorm with on a color formula. I was the one sweeping up and washing and folding every towel, and cleaning every color bowl, and folding every foil. I was the one paying rent weekly, whether or not I was booked and busy. I was also the only one who would encourage me to continue taking classes, but with what time and what money?
My cute studio slowly became a lonely, fluorescently-lit box with no windows to the outdoors, no break room, and no inspiration.Â
Now I’m not saying this is the reality for all salon suite owners. In fact, I think it is absolutely the right business move for many stylists who are ready for business ownership. I, for one, was very unprepared for the responsibilities of being the boss. I had little money management experience, racked up my credit card bill, and exasperated my feeling of burnout.Â
I only had the keys to my studio for six months before I broke my year-long lease and closed up shop. One thing about me is that if I know it’s not for me, I’m not wasting any time staying in it. The two reasons studio ownership was not for me came down to the fact that I do not like running a business, and I do not like working alone.
I love having responsibilities, but I also love being able to clock out at the end of the day, and not have to worry about work until I’m back in the salon. I did not love doing quarterly taxes. I did not love stocking up on colors and products and barely breaking even from appointments. I did not love being a one-woman show.
I love having coworkers that inspire me and leave me in awe with all their knowledge. I love working for a successful salon owner, with over 20 years of experience growing stylists. I love brainstorming with other salon professionals, whether it’s about a service, how to word an Instagram caption, or what haircut I should get next.
I love being a part of a team. The suite life was not the sweet life I thought would be, and I am glad to be back in a team-oriented environment.
I truly feel lucky to be a part of the team at Grand Salon & MedSpa. If I had found this salon earlier in my career, I might still be behind the chair because the education here is flowing, the inspiration is endless and everyone roots for their teammates unconditionally. However, I found my perfectly-suited place at Grand on the management team, managing the Guest Relations team, our Associate program for new cosmetology grads ready to start their career, and soon, our Registered Apprenticeship Program, offering hands-on education to prospective stylists as an alternative option to traditional beauty school.Â
For anyone who may be interested in starting a career in the salon industry, or a new stylist fresh out of school, or a seasoned solo-stylist longing for community, Grand Salon could be the right place for you. Visit our Careers page for information on openings or contact us for more information on our Registered Apprenticeship Program: info@grand-salon.com | (303) 572-1435
Bekah is a Colorado native with a passion for helping others look and feel their best. She spent 8 years working behind the chair as a hairstylist in Boulder before she moved to Denver. She then worked in the bridal sphere before she came to Grand Salon & Medspa managing the front desk/guest relations and social media.
When Bekah’s  not helping guests have the best experience possible at Grand, you can find her exploring a new coffee shop or happy hour, or at home with her two cats Brad and Leo. Follow @bekahgalhair | @grandsalondenver
