The 5 Biggest Myths About The Salon Industry

By Lora Brown

Many people dream of pursuing a career in the salon industry. Sadly, the majority of those dreams don’t see the light of day.

Some people give up before they even begin, while others fail as hair stylists because they mistakenly believe something about the industry that isn’t true.

Before you give up on your dream of being a hairstylist, take a look at the five biggest myths about the salon industry.


What Are The Biggest Myths About The Salon Industry?

Just as any career, hairdressing comes with its own misconceptions. Sure, there may be a bit of truth behind some of these notions, but there’s no reason to let falsehoods hold you back.

These are the five biggest myths surrounding the salon industry.


Myth 1: Becoming a hair stylist is easy.

How hard can it be to cut hair, right? In reality, styling hair requires a very specific skill set that can’t be taught overnight. It takes proper training and plenty of practice.

Then, even once you’ve developed your skills, landing a job won’t be a walk in the park. There are less than 2,000 hair stylist job openings each year, on average.

That may sound like plenty, but considering how many people try to become stylists, the number’s unimpressive.


Myth 2: All hair stylists make a lot of money.

There’s a perception of glamor that surrounds the salon industry. Working as a beauty professional seems like the perfect golden career, but in reality, it’s a ton of hard work for not always a ton of money.

The average hair stylist earns $30,000 a year; some make much less. That’s not to say you can’t have a profitable career in the salon industry. It can certainly be done—with hard work, determination and the right business training.

  
Myth 3: Hair stylists can’t retire.

Because many smaller salons don’t offer retirement benefits, you may think you’ll have to work forever if you choose a career as a stylist. That simply isn’t true.

Retirement is all about the way you handle money. Planning ahead can make a huge difference for your future.

What’s more, there are career advancements to be had in the salon industry. Starting out as a stylist doesn’t mean you’re stuck as a stylist. You may become a manager, or maybe even open your own salon one day.


Myth 4: Hairdressing doesn’t qualify as a business career.

Despite popular belief, being a hair stylist requires sufficient business knowledge. It’s not all about making people look good, though that’s a big part of it.

Another tool for success is a knowledge of how to run your business, the best ways to bring in customers and keep them happy, and how to properly manage your expenses, etc.


Myth 5: Going to cosmetology school is all that’s needed for success.

Education is crucial to success in the salon industry, but cosmetology school can only go so far. Stylists often need additional training, such as the Associate Program, to really thrive and grow.

In fact, 80 percent of stylists quit in the first two years after graduating, and the average hairdresser’s career only lasts three to five years. With more in-depth training, these numbers could change drastically.


Is It Possible To Succeed As A Hair Stylist?

If you’re one of the dreamers envisioning a career in the salon industry, realize it’s not an easy way out.

It can definitely be a lucrative, enjoyable career, but it requires hard work, determination, education and perseverance to make your dream a reality.

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Find out more about how the Associate Program can lead you to success by clicking the button below.

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