Would you leave commission for a 1099 salon setup?
Title: Would you leave commission for a 1099 salon setup?
I’m a hairstylist trying to decide whether to stay at my current commission salon or move to a 1099 setup, and I’d love advice from other stylists who have made a similar change.
I’ve been at my current salon for about 3 years and I’m finally starting to get more booked. My commission structure is:
$850/week → 40%
$2,000/week → 43%
$2,700/week → 45%
$3,400/week → 48%
$4,000/week → 50%
I’m not consistently at $2k+ yet, and realistically it could take a year or longer to get there. I’m making about $850 per week. I also assisted for three years.
The other opportunity would pay me 70% as a 1099, and I would not be responsible for the rent. I’d just handle my own taxes, supplies, and business expenses. If I don’t make money, I’m not stuck paying rent.
A big reason I’m considering leaving is that I’ve had a lot of frustrations with my current salon. My boss will sometimes squeeze clients into my schedule, shorten the amount of time I’m given for services, and I don’t always feel like I have much control over my own schedule. I’ve also felt stuck there career-wise despite being there for years.
On top of that, I’m pursuing freelance bridal makeup, which could become another source of income. A lot of bridal work is on Saturdays, so I would need more control over my schedule and would ideally need Saturdays off from the salon.
The 1099 opportunity would give me much more control and allow me to build my own clientele/business, but I’m nervous about leaving somewhere where I’m finally starting to gain momentum.
I’m thinking about making the move around the end of October. I’m not expecting to make more immediately—I’m more interested in where each option could put me 1–2 years from now.
For anyone who has gone from commission to independent/1099: Would you make the jump in my situation? Did building clientele independently take longer than expected? And do you wish you had done it sooner?