Interviews With Indies: Why They Chose Indie Salons
As we approach the start of 2023, it’s the perfect time to start planning your business goals for the upcoming year. If you’ve been thinking about investing in your future by making the move to a salon lease, we’re here to help you make it work! Although becoming your own boss or upgrading your space requires planning to pull it off, it can also be the best decision you’ve ever made for your career. If you want to hear from real-life Indies who made the leap and never looked back, you’ve come to the right place! We asked a few of our Indies why they decided to move to Indie Salons, and this is what we learned, which can also help you:
Q: Why did you decide to leave your previous salon and move to a luxury studio?
Coley (@coley.ortega): I wanted to have more control over my business. I wanted to be able to bring in the perfect target market by creating the perfect atmosphere for them.
Amanda (@amanda_hairboulder) I wanted to step out of my comfort zone so I can continue to grow!
Alex (@dandelionsalonbyalex) I needed more flexibility with schedule and products!
Kiki (@boulderhairbykiki): I was in a 21-chair salon as a booth renter before becoming an Indie. I decided to transition to a more private environment.
Anonymous (stylist who has been successful at Indie for 18 months) My prior salon was unfair and lying about commission rates and hours, and was giving little to no time off.
Katie (@theeclipsesociety): I wanted more flexibility and the ability to make my own schedule.
Q: As someone who was previously on commission or renting a booth, what advice would you give to other stylists thinking about becoming their own boss?
Katie: If you’re a commission stylist and have the clientele, it’s absolutely worth it. I no longer have to double book clients and am actually making more money. It takes a lot of stress out of the day and creates a much more personable relationship with clients.
Kiki: My advice is to make sure you have your clients’ contact information and inform them when you move.
Sarah: I would tell anyone currently on commission and thinking of making the move to a salon studio suite to DO IT!!! For so long, I was scared that it would be too much work and that I didn’t have enough clients, but I am so thankful that I made the leap. It is beyond rewarding to be your own boss and to take home the rewards of all your efforts. The only person that benefits from your talent are you and your clients, and that is how it should be!
Coley: Look into all the background stuff you need to do for your business, it is a lot of work but once you put the system in place it’s totally worth it. (Indie now offers its “Salon to Successful Salon Suite Owner Roadmap”, which lays this out for you step-by-step.)
Kate (@goldrush.salon) Take as many (or more) business classes as you do hair classes. I hear so many stylists say they aren’t business-minded and you must learn business to be successful!
Marvel (@marvelbeauty.co) Consistency is everything, you have to apply yourself every day. Be a master and expert at your craft and never give up!
Q: What has been the best part of having your own studio and calling the shots for your business?
Coley: Being able to put your best foot forward without having anyone else holding you back.
Kiki: The best part has been decorating my suite. I love being able to show off my style and personality. It’s also great to have the ability to continue to rearrange and have fun with it as I see fit. (As Kiki’s business has grown, she upgraded first to a window studio and most recently she moved to a larger corner window suite.)
Sarah: The best part is seeing the fruits of my labor. I care more about my job and my clients and truly enjoy going to work every day because it’s a space I curated just for me and my clients. P.S. I listen to my favorite music all day!
Kate: Creating a top notch experience for my guests start to finish.
Amanda: I have a community around me but won’t get upset with someone else not washing their color bowls 😊
Madeline (@novohairco_madelineo) The freedom to do whatever you want with your space and schedule!
Lauren (@lauren.kellond) The ability to give my clients the time/attention/service they deserve!
Q: What’s something you wish you’d known before making the move?
Kiki: I wish I had known how fun the community is! I didn’t know that I would still be part of a team with talented stylists around every corner. I thought I would be all by myself in a room and lonely…but it’s not that way at all at Indie!
Sarah: I wish I would have known how supportive everyone is here. I didn’t feel alone making this move and I don’t feel like I go to work alone every day. I have a team of 30+ people around me encouraging me and who are there to offer any helpful advice they have.
Katie: The ONE thing I wish I had known was the actual cost to get started. The cost of backbar and retail products were the most surprising to me. I wasn’t financially prepared to do it quite yet but I made it work and I paid it off in no time!
Coley: The systems you need in the background to make everything run perfectly! (Our Indie roadmap gives you the step-by-step.)
Q: What made you choose Indie?
Kate: Indie is well cared for inside and out by the salon owners and the Indie team. The salons are beautifully designed and represent the individuality of the stylists. It’s great to be surrounded by talented people in the Indie community and also having a quiet peaceful space of my own. It’s the best of both worlds!
Coley: Because of the atmosphere and the people! I’ve made some really amazing friends who’ve really elevated my business!
Kiki: I chose Indie because of the great location. I also love that it’s new and fancy!
Sarah: I chose Indie because of my ability to truly make my space my own. I loved the idea of decorating my suite exactly how I wanted it, and they made it so easy to see it come to life.
Katie: I really felt like the Indie team wanted me to be successful and that they would do anything to help me get there!
Madeline: They’re the best in the biz! Everyone is so kind and welcoming.If you feel ready to become your own boss, the next step is to find a salon lease that fits your needs. Feeling inspired by the real-life Indie stories highlighted here? We’re here to help you make your dream a reality! Our Market Director, Kandice Meylan, would love to chat with you about our unique set of perks and what to expect from our welcome process. You can call or text Kandice at 303-792-8222 to start the process.
