Believe it or not, I have been where you’re at before. Different business, but same problem – trying to find knowledgeable, skilled, and dedicated individuals. The truth of the matter is you may never find anyone who will be as passionate and dedicated to your business as you are. In the rare instance when you find someone like that, I recommend that you hold onto them for dear life because finding commissioned or contract employees like that are far and few!

If you have been searching for additional stylists for almost two years without much success then it may be time for you to take a different approach. I would suggest that you consider renting out space to other stylists, nail technicians, estheticians or even massage therapists. Your salon will still be your salon but you can let your current clients know that to better serve them, you have decided to sub-lease sections of your salon out to other business professionals. Emphasize to them that it will not have any affect on the level of service they have become accustomed to but that these professionals may be able to provide additional services to them. 

Find an attorney who can help you set up a detailed contract for each of the individuals to sign. Make sure this contract stipulates how you want your salon ran and the importance of maintaining that upscale image that you have worked so hard to create. Setting up these rules and guidelines in advance and making sure they fully understand them will help to ensure that you will have fewer problems in the long run.

When you sub-lease space out, they will be independent contractors who are responsible for using their own supplies and running their own personal operation while still following the guidelines of your operations. By doing this, you alleviate yourself from being a boss and having all of the personal and legal responsibilities. You no longer have to worry about their schedule, using up supplies or them ruining your reputation. Make it clear to them and their clients that they are responsible for their own transactions and that they are individual contractors. In your contract, be sure to have an image and morality clause. That way if they do something that is not in accordance with the type of atmosphere that you have established for yourself and the other professionals, then you will have the right to terminate the agreement.

Good luck and I wish you much success on your future endeavors!