The British beauty industry employs over 250,000 people in the UK, and with many considering a career change post-pandemic, there is clearly something attractive and lucrative in this industry.
The COVID-19 outbreak may have made some people think twice about joining this industry, but if post-lockdown demand has taught us anything, it’s that there is a huge appetite for beauty treatments.
Whether you’re a hairstylist or a nail technician, there are numerous benefits to working in the beauty industry. In this guide, we will explore some of the top benefits that draw people to this sector year after year. Let’s dive in.
UNLEASH YOUR CREATIVE SIDE
There are few industries in the world where you get to be this creative on a daily basis. Of course, some people might come to you with requests that seem quite boring (just a trim, plain red nails, etc) but you still have an opportunity to put your creativity to work.
And the best part is that your creativity is going to make someone feel really good about themselves. If you have a naturally creative soul and want to be able to put your artistry to work in everything you do, you should consider a career in beauty. In this industry, no two days are the same, and there’s a lot to be said for that after the last 18 months of monotony.
ENJOY WORK-LIFE BALANCE
Salon workers will often work shifts, but if you are a freelancer and you rent a chair in a salon, you’ll be able to set your own hours. Need the afternoon off? That’s fine, you simply block off that time and don’t accept any appointments.
You also have the option to work extra hours one week to be able to take time off the following one. In the run-up to Christmas, for instance, this can be a real saviour as we all need a little extra money around this time. And in the summer, when you want to take time off, you can easily do this without coming back to a backlog of work.
Of course, there are also downsides to the nature of this type of work, but for some, particularly those with other commitments, this level of flexibility can be liberating.
GET HIGH TECH
If you like your gadgets and technology, you have the opportunity to get your fill in a salon, learning, adapting and modernising your skillset to keep up with the changing times.
Within the beauty industry, you can optimise the way you work using the latest technology and you could see significant increases in your profit and reach. The guys at Salon Iris salon software tell us that by harnessing the power of apps, you can manage everything on one platform, allowing you to check appointments, order salon supplies, send appointment reminders and schedule your next email blast. If you like working smarter, not harder, a beauty career could be just right for you.
TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR EARNINGS
Many beauty salon workers are self-employed freelancers. This means that they rent a chair or work station in the salon and can take control of their earnings. You can set your own rates, drive more sales with discounts, or even offer specialist services like wedding and prom makeup. Essentially, you’ll be working for yourself, which is the dream for so many.
When you work in a normal 9-5 job, you know that your earnings will be the same every month. You might get the occasional pay rise and promotion, but these could be few and far between. Of course, the stability of this is greatly appealing in an uncertain age, but for some, the flexibility of taking complete control of your earnings can be useful. In the beauty industry, this option is always there.
WORK WITH PEOPLE
If you’re a people person, there can be no better role for you than working in the beauty sector. You will work directly with new people every single day, helping to change their life in some small way.
Cutting hair and doing nails might seem like a small change, but this could give someone the confidence boost they need. If you enjoy working with people, you will love working in the beauty industry. It can also help to boost your confidence if you don’t feel you’re a naturally forward person. After a few weeks in a salon, you’ll be able to strike up a conversation with anyone!
CONTROL YOUR PERSONAL BRAND
A huge part of working in the beauty industry is about establishing your personal brand. Everyone has a personal brand, whether they’d like to admit it or not, but it’s all about how you use it to your advantage. In the beauty industry, there’s every opportunity of capitalising on yours.
You could focus on your social media presence and become an influencer in your field. If you’re happy to share photos and videos of your best work, you could become an inspiration for stylists all over the world. If you’d like to take things further, working in the beauty industry allows you to build up a portfolio of your work, attracting a more diverse set of clients in the process.
FREE PRODUCTS
If you enjoy getting freebies and samples, this is one of the perks of working in a salon. Companies are always looking for salons to take on their products, so they will send sample sets for you to try out. There’s no obligation to order from them, but you could find some incredible products that your customers will love. And even if you decide not to stock or use them, you still get to try the latest beauty products for free.
And with that, we’re off to the salon to get our nails done. See you in there?
Before you take that leap, check out these 5 things to consider if you’re thinking of a career change.