A new crop of co-working spaces is moving away from the basic ‘rent-a-chair’ model, combining the advantages of an employed salon infrastructure with the freedom of being freelance. One such space is
Host in Manchester, a former nightclub set over two floors that aims to create ‘a very special salon environment that allows individuals to thrive.’ Co-Founders Sarah Louise Keane and Peter Tobolski share some insight on exactly what self-employed stylists should look for in today’s co-working spaces…
Sarah believes that while the hairdressing industry is passionate about encouraging talent, many salon owners hold back when it comes to motivating their stylists.
“There’s that culture of ‘I want you to do well, but not better than me!”’ she says. “I have been both an employed stylist and a chair renter, and both times I felt constrained – like I was only encouraged to soar so far.”
Sarah is hoping to shift this mindset by creating introductions for her members that open doors. “If someone wants to get more involved with a brand, or maybe they want to showcase at a trade show, if either of us know of someone that we think could help, then there’s no reason as to why we wouldn’t create that introduction,” she says.
“I want to champion and mentor the members, and the best way for me to do that is to work alongside them, to ensure I am approachable,” says Sarah. “It’s why we employ a manager to oversee the day-to-day business operation, and I just work out of the space as a member.”
If you’re considering joining a co-working space, think about what ‘add-ons’ interest you. Perhaps you’re keen to broaden your skillset through education and brand opportunities? Some spaces might include tickets to industry events or education sessions as part of your fee. Or maybe as an independent, the idea of meeting like-minded stylists is a draw? If that’s the case, enquire about opportunities to socialise – whether it’s with in-salon yoga classes or regular member nights out and events. “When we created our business plan, we had to think about how we would acquire new members,” says Peter. “And then how we would ensure they would want to stay. We knew we had to provide something special, just for our members – some opportunities that would get them excited.”
“Joining Host comes with ‘reasonably strict’ criteria,” says Peter. “We’ve got several members that are quite specialised in their skill set, and we want them all to feel like they’re in a culture of self-support; that they’re encouraging others. Developing people is at the heart of what we do, so we want to enable our members to upskill and improve.”
Freelance hairdressing brings with it a wealth of financial questions and challenges – from pricing structures to tax implications – and advice and support can be hard to come by. When considering a co-working space, ask questions about the level of support offered to members: Is it strictly a ‘rent-a-chair’ set-up or can you take advantage of advice and guidance to ensure you feel confident in your finances?
“At Host, we talk about business matters, covering topics like tax and disguised employment,” says Peter. “It’s as important for our members to understand the ins and outs of the legal criteria around freelance work as it is for us.”
“We also want hairdressers to maximise where they can and live the life they want to live,” adds Sarah. “The benefit of being self-employed is that you can do what you want, and you’re not restricted by someone else.”
Host also coaches its members through the self-assessment process, providing clear support and advice to help maximise earnings and beat thresholds. “I can’t stand hearing hairdressers being told to do everything they can to stay beneath a threshold,” says Sarah. “Why would you want to limit yourself? Push yourself to get way over it!”
