When I first opened my salon, I thought I had it all figured out. I had the experience, the clientele, the drive—what could go wrong? Well… a lot.

Running a salon is a whole different ballgame from being behind the chair. It’ll humble you, stretch you, and teach you some of the hardest (but most valuable) lessons of your career. In Episode 118 of The 5-Minute Podcast, I’m breaking down the toughest lessons I learned, and trust me, these will save you time, money, and stress if you’re planning to open a salon of your own.

Let’s get into it.

Lesson #1: Your Team Won’t Work Like You—And That’s Okay 🤯

Listen, no one will ever work like you do. No one will have the same drive, vision, or dedication that you, as the owner, have for your business. And that’s something I had to learn the hard way.

I used to get frustrated when I saw stylists taking longer breaks than I would, not posting their work on social media, or not pushing retail the way I wanted them to. But here’s the reality:

Your employees are not the owner—you are.

Instead of expecting them to think and move like an entrepreneur, I had to shift my mindset and focus on building a system they could thrive in.

💡 What I did instead:
✔ Created clear salon policies so everyone knew what was expected.
✔ Built incentives (not just demands) to encourage productivity.
✔ Accepted that my role had to shift from “stylist” to “leader.”

Once I stopped expecting my team to operate on my level and instead gave them the tools to succeed, everything changed.

Lesson #2: Patience is a Skill—With Others and With Yourself 🧘🏽‍♀️

Running a salon is not an overnight success story. You’re not just working on clients—you’re building a brand, managing a team, and figuring things out as you go.

And let me tell you, mistakes will happen.

❌ Employees will leave (sometimes without notice).
❌ Clients will complain.
❌ There will be slow months that make you question everything.

In my first year, I expected everything to fall into place quickly—but it didn’t. And that’s okay. Growth takes time, effort, and patience.

💡 What I did instead:
✔ Gave myself grace when things didn’t go perfectly.
✔ Learned to problem-solve instead of panic when issues came up.
✔ Focused on long-term growth instead of expecting immediate success.

If you’re opening a salon, be patient with yourself and the process. It’s a marathon, not a sprint.

Lesson #3: You’re the Owner—You Have to Show Up, No Matter What 💼

No one is coming to save your business. Let me say that again for the stylists in the back:

👉🏽 No one is coming to save your business.

As the owner, you are the leader. If the salon has a slow week, it’s on you to figure out how to boost traffic. If an employee quits, it’s on you to fill that gap. If a problem arises, guess what? It’s on you to fix it.

💡 What I did instead:
✔ Stopped waiting for things to “fix themselves” and took action.
✔ Made sure I was present, engaged, and setting the tone for my team.
✔ Took full responsibility for every success and failure in my business.

The moment I fully owned my role as a salon owner, everything shifted. When I showed up as the leader, my team followed. When I handled challenges head-on, solutions came faster. Leadership isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about showing up every single day and figuring things out as you go.

Thinking About Running a Salon? Here’s What You Need to Know:

If you’re planning to open a salon (or already running one), let me save you some stress:

✅ Your team needs structure, not just expectations. Build a system that helps them succeed instead of expecting them to move like an owner.
✅ Growth takes time. Give yourself patience, room to make mistakes, and grace when things don’t go perfectly.
✅ Leadership means responsibility. No one is coming to fix your business—you have to step up and take charge.

These lessons changed the way I run my business, and if you take them seriously, they’ll change yours too.

Want to hear the full story of what really went down? I share it all in Episode 118 of The 5-Minute Podcast. 🎧

📢 Listen now: https://youtube.com/@thestylistcorner?si=zVfB0aHEaLOhp5Qq

If you’re running (or planning to run) a salon, trust me—this episode is a must-listen! Let’s get you ready to lead, grow, and thrive. 💼🔥

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Warm regards,

Danie Wilks

The 5-Minute Podcast Host and Mentoring Coach