Creative Geniuses, Messy Money
Stylists are artists with shears, not spreadsheets. As industry leader Gordon Miller (@gordonm) points out, hair pros are full of artistic acumen but often lack the financial finesse to match. Cosmetology school doesn’t exactly offer a “Budgeting 101” class, and in many salons, money talk is still taboo.
But ignoring your finances is like ignoring a client’s box-dye history—disaster in the making. During COVID-19, when salons were shut, many stylists were left without any financial cushion—talk about a bad hair day turned worse.
The Ugly Truth (Worse Than Split Ends)
- Income is unpredictable. Seasonal slumps or last-minute cancellations can wreck your week.
- Booth rent is real. Renting a chair or suite averages about $400–$600/month, but in premium areas like LA or NYC, it can run $1,000 or more each month. Read more on these costs via Salon Booth Rent Guide and Booksy’s Ultimate Guide.
- Stylists can earn big. It’s possible to make six figures in this industry—just check out this article on beating the $100K mark.
If you’re renting at boutique spots like Space Salon (@spacethesalon) in Mar Vista, you’re not just a stylist—you’re a small business owner inside a salon.
JJ’s Quick Fixes (From a Stylist in a Past Life ✂️🫙)
- ✨ Pay the house first. Booth rent, suite rent, and insurance? Non-negotiable.
- ✨ Save for “bad hair days.” Even socking away 5% of each check can build a safety net—broken dryers, slow Januarys, surprise bills.
- ✨ Budget tools & classes. Shears, clippers, advanced balayage training—these are investments, not splurges.
- ✨ Don’t ghost your taxes. If you’re independent, Uncle Sam is your secret business partner. Set aside about ~25% to avoid a tax day freak-out.
Why Jelli Works (Even If You Hate Spreadsheets)
Spreadsheets? Hard pass. Stylists don’t care about Excel. Jelli makes financial planning visual, fun, and simple:
- Create jars like Chair Rent, Backbar Refill, Tool Fund, even Coffee Runs ☕.
- JJ automatically funds your jars—no side-glances at your account mid-shampoo.
- Watching your “Shear Fund” jar fill up is almost as satisfying as nailing a perfect fade.
Final Comb-Out
Budgeting isn’t about killing your creative vibe—it’s about protecting it. You can be a brilliant stylist and make brilliant money. With a little planning (and JJ in your corner), you’ll go from financial split ends to a full-on glow-up.
Because your career deserves more than just great hair days — it deserves great money days too.
