Five Things I’ve Learned From Starting My Own Salon

Five months ago I unlocked the door to my own salon for the very first time. If you’d told me a year ago that I’d be writing this from Wharf Farm, I’d have laughed and then probably cried a little bit. It’s been the busiest, most exciting, occasionally terrifying few months of my working life, and I’ve learned more than I ever expected to.

So I thought I’d share a few of those lessons with you. Some are about hair, most aren’t!

1. You’ll never feel completely ready, so go anyway

I spent years waiting for the “right time” to open my own place. In the end, the opportunity turned up almost out of nowhere, and I had to decide pretty quickly. I didn’t have every answer. I still don’t! But I’ve realised that feeling ready isn’t something that arrives before you start. It comes from doing it.

2. The hair is the easy part

After twenty-odd years behind the chair, the cutting and colouring feels like second nature. What I wasn’t prepared for was everything else: the bookings, the reminders, ordering stock, the bills, and the endless little jobs that happen after the last client leaves. I’ve got a whole new respect for every salon owner I’ve ever worked for.

The good news is that a lot of it can be made simpler. Getting a proper online booking system in place early on has saved me hours every week, and it means you can book in at 11pm in your pyjamas without having to wait for me to reply to a message.

3. Keep learning, even when you’re busy

It would have been easy to put training on hold while I found my feet. But this year I completed my extensions training, and adding nano ring extensions has been one of the most rewarding things I’ve done. Seeing a client’s face when they get the length and volume they’ve always wanted never gets old. Learning something new also reminds me why I fell in love with hairdressing in the first place.

4. Listen to your clients, they’ll tell you what they need

Some of the best changes I’ve made have come straight from conversations in the chair. Being able to find the next available appointment that suits your days and times? That came from clients telling me how hard it was to juggle work and school runs. Quieter appointments for anyone who finds a busy salon overwhelming? Same again. You lot have shaped this place more than you probably realise.

5. You can’t do it all on your own

I’d love to tell you I did all of this single-handedly, but that wouldn’t be true. Family and friends have painted walls, built shelves, sorted out tech and listened to me talk about salon chairs for far longer than anyone should have to. And then there’s all of you. Every booking, every kind review, every recommendation to a friend has meant the world.

What’s next?

Honestly? More of the same, just better. I’m still finding my rhythm, still tweaking things and still pinching myself most mornings when I pull into the car park. Thank you for being part of the first chapter. I can’t wait for the next one.

Fancy a fresh look? Book your appointment here. I’d love to see you in the chair.

Amy x