16. January 2024
Renting Out a Workstation
Do you have an empty workspace in your salon? Would you like an extra colleague without the hassle of hiring employees? Consider renting out a workstation. By leasing a space to an independent hairdresser, you both benefit. The independent hairdresser gains a place in an established salon with the necessary equipment to run their business, and you gain a new colleague who pays to work in your space.
Where to Find an Independent Hairdresser?
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, but here are a few good places to look:
- Facebook groups
- Instagram hashtags
- Industry websites like Hair.dk
- Ask your friends
- Ask your clients
- Ask your employees
Revamp Your Salon (Possibly for Free)
Renting out a workstation can also be a brilliant idea if you’re considering updating your salon interior. Let’s say you have five workstations and have fallen in love with a particular styling chair, but it’s beyond your budget. By renting out a space, you might earn much more than the cost to finance those new chairs.
Example
Imagine you find the perfect chairs, but they cost €7,000 excluding VAT. Financing them would cost you around €275 per month. Can you charge €275 for a spot in your salon? That sounds like a very affordable rent for an independent stylist. Essentially, you could buy furniture worth €7,000 and have your new colleague cover the cost. Not literally, of course – the independent stylist pays you, and you purchase the furniture.
Is Financing Risky?
In short: no. All leasing companies, banks, etc., require a credit check before you can borrow money. They do this not only to protect their funds but also to help ensure that you don’t sign onto something you can't sustain.
Should You Create a Contract?
Remember to draft a contract between you and the independent stylist. This protects both of you. As long as you’re on good terms, there won’t be any issues, but a mutually respected contract safeguards both sides if disagreements arise, and you decide to part ways. P.S. Be sure to specify that you are not employing the independent stylist in the contract. They’re simply paying you to rent the workstation.
Final Thoughts
If you can collect more in “rent” or “chair lease” from an independent stylist than it costs you to purchase new furniture, it’s practically free for you to get those dream pieces of furniture. Use your vacant space as an opportunity to bring in an independent stylist, increase salon traffic, and invest in your dream furniture at the same time.