How Does Booth Rental Work? A Guide for Estheticians, Hair Stylists, and Nail Artists

That’s a huge draw for a lot of estheticians, hair stylists, barbers, and nail artists.

(And it does sound great, doesn’t it? No boss over your shoulder, no commissions to worry about…)

Of course, deciding to invest part of your budget into renting a booth depends on so many factors.

How Do Booth Rentals Work Anyhow?

With the booth or chair rental model, you own your business by renting out a space (either a booth, a chair, or a suite) to run your own show — without any of the risks and upfront costs that come along with opening your own salon from scratch.

So instead of a boss overseeing your operation, it’s a landlord/tenant relationship, where you keep your independence and have free rein of your business.

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Give Me Those Pros and Cons

Pros

As a booth or suite renter, you’re no longer an employee.

So, if you have a favorite product line you’d love to use on your clients but haven’t been able to, now’s the chance!

(Think about that new seaweed shampoo you’ve been wanting to use or that funky cilantro conditioner you’d love for your clients to try!)

Plus, you can set your own schedule and work whenever you want!

Cons

It’s true, it can be more work as a booth renter. And that’s because you’re in charge of everything — from stocking your own products to drawing in clients. You’ll also need to think about health benefits, vacation time, and equipment costs.

Okay, So What’s This Gonna Cost Me?

How to Rent a Chair in a Salon

With booth and suite rental setups on the boom these days, there are plenty of avenues to explore.

Plus, a lot of sites nowadays allow you to search salon or barber jobs by filtering the list for booth, suite, and studio rentals. Try one of these:

• behindthechair.com/jobs/
• Simplysalonjobs.com
• https://www.indeed.com/q-Salon-Booth-Rental-jobs.html

So… Is Booth Rental a Good Move?

It’s likely! But ultimately, the answer depends on you. The most annoying answer, I know… But if you’re on the fence about it, ask yourself these questions: 

• Do you dream about setting your own rules and pace for your business? 
• Are you booked up consistently with a loyal group of clients who will follow you if you relocate? 
• Do you dream of owning your own salon someday?

If so, renting a booth or a chair in a salon may just be your next move!