The #1 Mistake Salon Owners Make (And How to Fix It Fast)

Let’s be real. Salon ownership isn’t for the faint of heart. You’re juggling a team, clients, numbers, marketing, and still trying to show up as a leader. And while there’s a million things we could talk about, there’s one mistake that quietly wrecks more salon cultures than anything else: breaking trust.

I’ve made this mistake. I’ve seen it up close in my own salon. And I can tell you from experience, it’s fixable, but only if you’re willing to get honest with yourself.

1. Trust Is Everything

If your team doesn’t trust you, everything starts to fall apart. Not right away. It’s subtle at first. Less energy, less buy-in, a little more distance. But over time, it snowballs.

It usually starts with overpromising. You have big ideas, big vision, big plans. Then reality hits. You don’t follow through. And your team feels it, even if they don’t say it out loud.

How to Rebuild Trust:

• Be honest when something doesn’t go as planned. Say, “I missed the mark on that.”
• Let your team know you’re learning too. You’re human, not a machine.
• Invite feedback. Make it safe for them to speak up without fear.

2. Leadership Isn’t About Doing It All

Too many owners are still behind the chair full time while trying to lead. You’re burning out, and your team feels it. Leadership requires space. Mental, emotional, and physical.

What to Do Instead:

• Start handing off responsibilities. Someone else can run color class. Someone else can check inventory.
• Step back a few hours each week to work on the business, not just in it.
• Record your trainings so your team can revisit them anytime. That’s how you scale without repeating yourself 50 times.

3. Don’t Be Afraid to Charge What You’re Worth

This one hits hard. I know what it’s like to second-guess yourself when it’s time to raise prices. But here’s the truth. When you price yourself too low, people undervalue the work and you start resenting it.

Try This Shift:

• See pricing as a reflection of the care, love, and skill you pour into your clients.
• Raising your prices helps the right clients rise to meet your value.
• And with more revenue, you can actually give more. To your team, your family, and your community.

4. Hold Yourself Accountable First

If your team isn’t showing up how you want, look in the mirror first. Ownership means taking the lead on standards, clarity, and follow-through.

Steps to Try:

• Write down your goals and break them into small, daily actions. That’s what OKRs help with.
• Ask yourself, “Why am I doing this?” Get clear on your actual vision, not just the survival mode stuff.
• Need clarity? Try a 12-hour walk with no phone or distractions. It sounds wild, but the clarity is real.

5. Use Tools That Actually Support You

You don’t have to do everything manually. Whether it’s hiring a team manager or using a Shopify store to sell retail, systems can give you your time and peace of mind back.

Ideas You Can Start With:

• Incentivize team leads based on real results, not just how busy they are.
• Use a shared Google Doc to keep team goals, agreements, and notes organized.
• Set up Shopify for retail sales with in-salon pickup or delivery. Great for passive revenue and local visibility.

Final Thoughts

You don’t need to be perfect. You just need to be consistent, real, and committed to growing. Trust doesn’t come from doing everything right. It comes from showing up honestly and learning as you go.

If you’re ready to lead with more clarity, build a culture your team is proud to be part of, and finally feel like your salon is working for you, you’re in the right place.

Want real tools and systems that help? Visit The Level Up Academy and start building the business and leadership style that actually feels like yours.