Thinking About Going Self‑Employed (Without Jumping Off a Cliff)?
If you’re a hairstylist currently working hourly or on commission, chances are you’ve thought about going out on your own. Maybe late at night. Maybe while folding towels. Maybe while doing the mental math of how much you’re making versus how much you’re actually working.
The dream is there! Freedom, flexibility, full control of your schedule and income. But the fear? Also very real. Long-term leases. Big overhead. Not knowing if you actually have enough clients to sustain yourself yet.
This is exactly where Chair Collective comes in.
We built Chair Collective for stylists who want to step into self‑employment without locking themselves into something they’re not ready for.
First Things First: You Don’t Have to Do This All at Once
One of the biggest myths in the hair industry is that going independent has to be an all‑or‑nothing move. Quit your salon. Sign a lease. Figure it out later.
Truth? That approach burns people out… fast.
Starting your own business should feel strategic, not stressful. It should grow with you, not ahead of you.
Chair Collective is a daily salon suite rental system in Toronto designed to let you test the waters, build confidence, and grow your clientele on your terms.
No contracts. No leases. No pressure.
Just book the days you need and nothing more.
What Is Chair Collective (Really)?
Chair Collective is a fully equipped, ready‑to‑go salon space for hairstylists who want flexibility.
When you book a day, you walk into a complete salon suite that includes:
Two professional styling chairs and stations
Hair colour included (pay per product used)
Shampoo, conditioner and styling back-bar (paid by weight used)
Clean towels, robes, and client capes
Client refreshments (you can charge your client or pay as per the menu)
A secure, private space
Access to high‑end retail products you can sell for commission
Everything is pay‑per‑use, so you’re only paying when you’re actually working and earning.
No monthly rent. No surprise costs. No wasted days.
How to Start Being Self‑Employed (The Smart Way)
If you’re curious about going independent but not ready to fully commit, here’s how we recommend starting.
Step 1: Start Small
Book one day per month at Chair Collective — or even one day every other month.
This gives you a dedicated, professional space to:
Start transitioning clients
Practice running your own books
Get comfortable with pricing and timing
Experience what independence actually feels like
One solid, fully booked day is all you need to begin.
Step 2: Build Momentum
Once that one day starts filling consistently, add another.
Now you’ve got one to two full days every month where:
Every dollar you earn is yours
You control your schedule
You’re building your brand — not someone else’s
This gradual growth lets you scale without overbooking yourself or paying for empty salon days.
Step 3: Know When You’re Ready
When you’re comfortably booking four fully booked days, that’s usually the moment things click.
You’ll know:
Your clientele is solid
Your income is predictable
You’re confident managing your own business
From there, you might choose to stay flexible with Chair Collective — or move into a more permanent salon suite or traditional lease feeling fully prepared (and far less stressed).
New to the Industry? This Is for You Too
Just out of hair school? Still building confidence behind the chair?
Chair Collective is also ideal for new hairstylists who want real‑world experience without the pressure of full‑time rent.
We recommend booking:
One day per month, or
One day every other month
This gives you:
Time to slowly build a clientele
Real behind‑the‑chair experience
A professional environment that reflects the level you’re working toward
No rushing. No panic. Just steady growth.
Rebuilding or Expanding Your Clientele?
Chair Collective is especially loved by stylists who:
Are rebuilding after a move
Are returning to the industry
Want to expand into a new area of the city
Started working outside of the city but still have a downtown clientele
If you work in the east end, uptown, or outside the the GTA (out of province altogether) but want to maintain or grow a downtown Toronto or west end Toronto clientele, this model just makes sense.
You can:
Book only the days your clients need
Avoid paying for unused salon time
Work smarter instead of longer
Your business expands when demand expands — not before.
The Best Part? Free Membership.
We offer every hairstylist a free Chair Collective membership.
Your membership gives you:
Full transparency around pricing and policies
The ability to book as many days as you need
Access to a fully stocked, professional salon environment that is expanding across the Greater Toronto Area
No commitment. No hidden strings.
Just an open door.
Ready to Try Independence — Without the Risk?
Going self‑employed doesn’t have to be scary. It can be flexible, intentional, and honestly… kind of exciting.
Chair Collective was created for stylists exactly like you — curious, talented, and ready for more — just not ready to sign your life away to a lease.
Start with one day. Build from there.
Book your first day at Chair Collective and see what independence feels like.