Whether you’re just starting out as a lash artist or looking to make a location change - you have options! Choosing the right workplace for your lash artistry depends on where you are in your career and what you want to accomplish. One of the great things about being a beauty industry professional is flexibility - you can choose the path you want to take to reach your career goals. Let’s look at three different ways to earn money as a lash artist to help you decide which is right for you!
We’ll explore working as an employee of a salon, renting a booth, and owning your own studio.
Working as an employee in a salon
This is a great option if you are a recent graduate of cosmetology or esthetics school and just started out as a lash artist. Working as an employee at a salon means that you will most likely be paid on commission, meaning your employer will pay you a percentage of the income you generate for the salon based on the services you perform. While this payment structure may be off-putting to some, there are serious benefits that are worth digging into.
A major benefit of working in a salon is experience and exposure. You will have the benefit of working closely with other stylists. While they may not all be lash artists, there are plenty of things you can learn from them! If you’re new to taking clients, more experience beauty professionals can help you learn how to navigate client-facing relationships. How they interact, how they schedule, and upsell salon products. You’ll have the opportunity to ask questions about real-life scenarios, both good and bad - not everyone will be your ideal client!
In a salon, you will have the opportunity to work with all different types of clients. This is great for getting your name out there as a lash artist and perfecting your craft. When starting out in a salon, most of your clients will be provided to you, and you will have a built-in support network to ask questions. This will help you get comfortable as a lash artist and experience what it’s like to work full-time in the beauty industry.
Below is a list of pros and cons to explore on your own if you are considering starting out as a lash artist in a salon!
Renting a booth
Booth renting is an excellent option if you have that entrepreneurial spirit! It’s just like renting a chair in a salon as a hairstylist. Likely, the owner of the spa or salon you are renting in will lease the space to you for a monthly fee. The great thing about this is aside from the fee you keep 100% of your commission from the services you provide! There are some expenses that you will have to cover independently if you are renting a booth as opposed to working as an employee in a salon.
When renting a booth, you operate as an independent contractor, meaning you are responsible for all expenses. You will have to buy your own products, carry your own insurance, and manage accounting - just to name a few. With this comes the freedom to truly step into your own as an independent lash artist. Besides the larger space itself, the person you are leasing your booth from has little influence on other aspects of your business. Meaning you control your hours, you choose which clients to work with, what products to use, and the overall vibe of your space.
Building and sustaining a client base is an essential aspect of running your own space as a lash artist. When you strike out on your own and rent a space, you are now responsible for all promotion and marketing efforts. You’re responsible for filling your own books, scheduling appointments, and setting your hours. It’s essential you have a strategy in place to spread the word about your business and gain clientele. If you’re just starting out, prepare for slow days but remember everyone starts somewhere. Going into this venture with a strategy for promoting your services (think: social media, business cards, discounts, etc.) will help stay ahead of the game!
Below is a list of pros and cons to explore on your own if you are considering renting out your own booth as a lash artist!
Owning a lash studio
Owning your own lash studio is a very attractive option because it gives you the most control over every aspect of your business. However, with that control comes many other things that you wouldn’t necessarily have to consider if you were working in a salon or renting your own booth. It’s important to consider that when you are a studio owner as a lash artist, you are responsible for all aspects of the business beyond just lashing.
If you’re considering this avenue for your lash business, make sure you plan ahead - save, save, save! When renting a booth, you are only responsible for one room. So things like liability insurance and other expenses will be less. Whereas when you own the space, the price tag goes up for everything. It would be impossible to list all the hidden fees that come with owning a business but know they are there and will creep up on you if you’re unprepared!
If you’re ready to hustle to make your dreams come true, don’t get scared off. Owning a lash studio can be extremely rewarding. It’s the ultimate flexibility. You get to make your own schedule, select your clientele, pick other employees or renters, and decorate everything with your own personal style! The hard work will pay off, and the best part? You will open yourself up to other business opportunities. You can sell products, offer other services, and your space however you want. If you have extra space, you can even do your own booth rental and mentor another up-and-coming lash artist.
Below is a list of pros and cons to explore on your own if you are considering opening up your own lash studio!
You have options as a lash artist!
No matter where you are in your journey as a lash artist or where you want to go - please remember this one thing. Don’t compare yourself to others! What works for one person might not work for you, and that is OK. Everyone’s journey is different, and there are many ways to earn a great income as a lash artist. Trust your process!
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