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The Pros and Cons of Being a Salon Educator: Should You Go Independent or Join a Brand?

Feb 28, 2023

 

Are you passionate about wanting to teach others your techniques and methods?  If so, you might be considering adding Educator to your bio! But should you work for a corporate brand or start your own independent business? Let's take a look at the pros and cons of each.

Teaching for a Corporate Brand

Pros:

  1. Established Reputation: Larger corporate brands have an established reputation in the industry, which can make it easier to attract students and build a following.
  2. Support: You'll have access to the resources and support of a larger organization, which can help you develop your teaching skills and provide opportunities for growth.
  3. Job Security: As an employee of a corporate brand, you'll have the security of a steady paycheck and benefits.

Cons:

  1. Limited Creative Control: Corporate brands often have specific guidelines and teaching methods that must be followed, which can limit your creative freedom & keep you from living your best educator life.
  2. Limited Earnings Potential: You typically get paid per day of teaching. Most of the time this does not include travel days! So the money may sound good in the beginning but you have to factor that in as well.
  3. Limited Client Relationships: As an educator for a corporate brand, you may not have the opportunity to build direct relationships with your students, as the brand will handle client interactions. Some brands now are a little more lenient with this. They encourage your own private IG to connect with students but some make you use a branded tag which can limit your networking .

Starting Your Own Independent Teaching Business

Pros:

  1. Creative Control: You'll have complete creative control over your teaching methods and materials, allowing you to develop your own signature techniques and curriculum.This is where you will live out your most creative freedom!!
  2. Higher Earnings Potential: Like ALOT!!! When you start your own business, you have the potential to earn more money than you would as an employee of a corporate brand. This is one of the most amazing parts of your own classes. Just think for example: each student of ours pays $750 per ticket. With only 5 tickets sold you are making $3750!!! What could you do with an extra almost $4000 from just one day of sharing what you love!?
  3. Amazing direct  Relationships: As an independent educator, you have the opportunity to build direct relationships with your students, providing personalized attention and support! It builds such an awesome connection with all your students they really become your biggest fans.

Cons:

  1. More Responsibility: Starting your own business requires more work and responsibility than working for a corporate brand.
  2. Limited Brand Recognition: It can be more difficult to build brand recognition and attract students when you're starting from scratch.
  3. Limited Support: You won't have the resources and support of a larger organization, which can make it more challenging to develop your teaching skills and grow your business.

Ultimately, the decision to work for a corporate brand or start your own independent business comes down to your personal preferences and goals. If you value creative control, higher earnings potential, and direct client relationships, starting your own independent teaching may be the right choice for you. But if you value established reputation, support, and job security, working for a corporate brand may be a better fit.

Regardless of which path you choose, remember that being a salon educator can be an incredibly fulfilling and rewarding career. You have the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of your students and contribute to the industry in a meaningful way. So, get out there and start teaching!

Are you feeling inspired to become an independent educator in the hair industry? Whether you're a seasoned stylist or just starting out, my free Independent Educator Starter Kit can help you get started on this exciting journey. This kit includes a step-by-step guide to choosing your first class topic, learn the 4 different class types, name your very first class, and more. Click here to grab your free copy today and take the first step towards building your own education empire!