Suite Life vs. Salon Floor: Which Model Fits Your Career?

"You should rent a suite! You'd make way more money!"

You've heard it from the girl who left six months ago. She's always posting about being her own boss.

But is it actually better?

Let's look at real numbers, not Instagram highlights.

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The Two Models

Model A: Commission Employee

You work at a salon. You get a percentage of what you bring in. The salon handles everything else.

Typical structure:

• 40-60% commission (you)
• 40-60% to salon (covers rent, products, marketing, reception, etc.)
• Salon provides clients, especially walk-ins and new bookings

Model B: Suite Rental

You rent your own space. You keep 100% of what you charge. But you handle everything yourself.

Typical structure:

• $400-1,500/month rent (varies wildly by market)
• You buy all products
• You handle all booking, marketing, operations
• You keep everything after expenses

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The Real Math

Let's compare two stylists with identical skill and demand.

Stylist A: Commission (50/50 split)

What you don't pay for:

• Rent: $0
• Products: $0
• Booking software: $0
• Marketing: $0
• Reception: $0
• Laundry: $0

Stylist B: Suite Rental

The difference: $1,840/month = $22,080/year more in the suite.

But Here's the Catch

Stylist A doesn't have to:

• Find new clients (salon provides walk-ins)
• Answer phones
• Clean the whole place
• Handle bookkeeping
• Stay late for admin work
• Worry about empty weeks

Stylist B has to do ALL of that.

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The Hidden Variables

If Your Book Isn't Full

The math above assumes both stylists gross $8,000/month.

But what if your book drops after leaving?

Suite reality check:

At 50% booking, you're earning LESS than commission.

And your rent is due whether you work or not.

Client Retention When You Leave

Typical retention rates when leaving a salon:

Translation: If half your book is walk-ins or new clients the salon brought in, expect to lose them.

The Time Cost

Suite owners report spending 5-10 hours/week on:

• Marketing and social media
• Booking management
• Client communication
• Inventory and supplies
• Cleaning and maintenance
• Bookkeeping

That's unpaid time. Factor it in.

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The Pros and Cons Breakdown

Commission Salon: Pros

✅ Steady paycheck ✅ Built-in new client flow ✅ No upfront costs ✅ Mentorship and community ✅ Someone else handles the business ✅ PTO/benefits (sometimes) ✅ Focus purely on your craft

Commission Salon: Cons

❌ Income ceiling ❌ Less scheduling freedom ❌ Salon rules and culture ❌ May not align with your brand ❌ Political dynamics ❌ Commission splits feel unfair when you're busy

Suite Rental: Pros

✅ Keep (most of) what you earn ✅ Complete creative control ✅ Set your own schedule ✅ Build your personal brand ✅ No salon politics ✅ Potential to grow into something bigger

Suite Rental: Cons

❌ Fixed costs regardless of revenue ❌ You ARE the marketing department ❌ Isolation (no coworkers) ❌ No safety net for slow months ❌ All admin is on you ❌ Harder to take time off

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The Honest Self-Assessment

Answer these truthfully:

Go suite if:

• You have 6+ months expenses saved
• 80%+ of your clients will follow you (you've checked)
• You're excited about business ownership, not just escaping your current salon
• You have a marketing plan (not "I'll figure it out")
• You're comfortable with financial risk
• You'd work on the business even on days you don't have clients

Stay commission if:

• You're still building your skills
• Most of your clients came from the salon
• You hate the business side
• Financial stability is critical right now
• You value mentorship and community
• You want to focus 100% on hair/nails/skin, not operations

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The Middle Path: Booth Rental

Some salons offer booth rental—you pay a flat fee for your station but work in their space.

Typical structure:

• $200-600/week rent
• You keep 100% of service revenue
• Some shared resources (reception, products vary)
• More independence than commission, less than suite

Best of both worlds?

• More income potential than commission
• Less isolation than suite
• Some built-in foot traffic

But watch for:

• High rent that eats the difference
• Unclear product/supply arrangements
• Salon owner tension over "their" clients vs "yours"

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The Timing Matters

Year 1-3 in the industry

Stay commission. Learn your craft. Build clientele. Absorb knowledge from experienced stylists.

Year 3-5 with strong book

Consider booth rental. Test independence while keeping some safety net.

Year 5+ with loyal following

Suite makes sense IF you want to run a business. Not everyone does.

Established with empire dreams

Suite → Eventually your own salon with employees.

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The Reality Check

That girl on Instagram posting about suite life?

She's not showing:

• The slow weeks
• The 10pm Instagram planning
• The anxiety when rent is due
• The lonely Tuesdays
• The unpaid admin time

It can be great. It can also be harder than it looks.

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There's No Wrong Answer

Some of the happiest stylists I know:

• Work commission at a salon they love
• Have been there 10+ years
• Make great money without the stress

Some of the happiest stylists I know:

• Rent a suite
• Built their dream space
• Love the freedom
• Would never go back

Know yourself. Do the math. Choose accordingly.

👉 Vinci 26 helps independent stylists manage their own bookings, build client relationships, and run their business—on their own terms.

Build something that's truly yours.