How to Start and Scale Behind The Chair From Scratch

Starting in our industry with no clients , and no experience can feel overwhelming—but it doesn’t have to be. With the right roadmap, mindset, and actions, salon owners can build a profitable business from the ground up. In this blog, we’ll break down a proven process for getting your first clients, growing strategically, and avoiding the mistakes that keep stylists stuck.

I. Turn Passion Into Profit

Start With What You Love

Just like the fitness entrepreneur who couldn’t stop talking about workouts, your obsession with beauty and transformation is your superpower. If people are already asking for your advice, that’s your green light to go all-in.

Validate With Real Results

Before building your empire, build proof. Offer free services to friends and family. Capture testimonials, transformation stories, and before-and-after photos. Proof always beats a pretty promise.

II. The Four-Stage Client Growth Plan

Stage 1: Work With Friends (Proof)

Reach out to your immediate network. Train, style, or teach them for free. Collect tangible results. These early wins become your credibility engine.

Stage 2: Ask for Referrals (Momentum)

Turn your first few clients into ambassadors. Ask for referrals. If no one refers you, it’s feedback: you need to deliver better results.

Stage 3: Introduce “Skin in the Game”

Transition from free to charity-based payment. This keeps you purpose-driven while building commitment from clients. It’s not about the money yet—it’s about momentum.

Stage 4: Charge for Real

Now that you have proof and buzz, you’re ready to monetize. Create a service list, set your prices, and convert your early clients into paying ones. This is where things get real.

III. Use the Rule of 300 to Grow Faster

Post Content Daily

Start simple: one post a day. Show your face, your work, your story. Let the world know you exist.

Engage With 100 Comments

Comment meaningfully on content where your dream clients are hanging out. Think of each comment as a mini ad that builds visibility.

DM Your Warm Audience

Reach out to those who engage with your posts or comments. Ask what drew them in. Build relationships before pitching your services.

Stay Consistent

This takes 2–4 hours a day at first. But remember: visibility leads to opportunity. Don’t stop when it gets hard. That’s when it’s working.

IV. Lessons From the Field

• Be the Brand: Your lifestyle is your marketing.
• Start Free, Then Charge: Use testimonials as currency before dollars.
• Never Discount: You’re either full price or free—don’t cheapen your brand.
• Niche Down: A clear focus attracts better clients.
• Don’t Stop When It’s Working: Resist the urge to start over.

V. Mindset Shifts That Make You Unstoppable

• Stay Consistent: It’s not what you do once—it’s what you do daily.
• Push Through Boredom: Real growth begins when the excitement fades.
• Document Your Journey: What you learn, share. It builds trust and community.
• Be Relentlessly Resourceful: Google first. Figure it out.
• Write Down Your Why: When it gets hard, you’ll need a reason to keep going.

Conclusion: Start Small, Think Big, Stay in It

Every six-figure salon business started with a few loyal clients, a lot of trial and error, and a relentless commitment to keep showing up. Don’t wait to feel ready. Start now—messy, scrappy, and bold. Build your proof. Share your progress. Stay in the game. Because done consistently, the small, unscalable efforts are exactly what scale in the long run.

🚀 Ready to Build Your Salon Empire?

If you’re serious about building a thriving salon business—even if you’re starting from scratch—you don’t have to do it alone.

Click here to apply for The Level Up Academy and take your first step toward sustainable growth, clarity, and confidence.