How to be freelance?

[Sharne_]

Been reading previous posts and have questions about the mobile/home salon side of the industry...
Can anyone explain to me about hair reps/ordering from company and how it works... like I read a post about someone having a hair rep for their colour and they kept buying combs to make up their order I suppose.

How much do you need to spend or/and how often?
Can you purchase just colour or just styling products range?

For colour I’ve been looking into matrix and swarzkopf but I believe I would probably go with goldwell as it’s what I have used in the past and like the results.
styling products I love Lanza and some goldwell products used 1 product from KMS once fell in love and they don’t do it anymore...

Any general knowledge anyone could throw my way please! Thank you x

 

[Sharne_]

I no this is probably dumb questions or I should know but I only worked in a salon and didn’t feel I could ask stuff that didn’t involve me...

 

[HairbyJess]

Hi I'm a mobile hairdresser and use matrix and goldwell colours. I have a matrix socolour chart and matrix coloursync chart which I use for my consultations, and then order the colour I need. If I'm using goldwell I work out what it would be in matrix and then do a conversion using an online conversion chart.
You can get matrix and goldwell at salonservices, capital and salon supplies which are my suppliers. For me my colour clients are usually regulars, so we do the consultation at their previous cut appointment and I order in what I need. I think to get free delivery (to my house) with suppliers I usually have to spend about £50, which once you've added a few styling products and back basin litre bottles (that I use for myself anyway) it's quite easy. Or I can drive out to my suppliers and pick up what I need. As for our usual spend, that depends on how often you go and how much stuff you need. And if you suffer with 'kid in a sweet shop' syndrome in suppliers like I do I always end up spending more than I thought I would!

When I was at a salon we had a rep, I have to say I'd love to have a matrix rep that I could be in touch with about new lines etc but I don't think it's possible unless you're a salon. (Feel free to correct me someone )

 

[Sharne_]

Hi I'm a mobile hairdresser and use matrix and goldwell colours. I have a matrix socolour chart and matrix coloursync chart which I use for my consultations, and then order the colour I need. If I'm using goldwell I work out what it would be in matrix and then do a conversion using an online conversion chart.
You can get matrix and goldwell at salonservices, capital and salon supplies which are my suppliers. For me my colour clients are usually regulars, so we do the consultation at their previous cut appointment and I order in what I need. I think to get free delivery (to my house) with suppliers I usually have to spend about £50, which once you've added a few styling products and back basin litre bottles (that I use for myself anyway) it's quite easy. Or I can drive out to my suppliers and pick up what I need. As for our usual spend, that depends on how often you go and how much stuff you need. And if you suffer with 'kid in a sweet shop' syndrome in suppliers like I do I always end up spending more than I thought I would!

When I was at a salon we had a rep, I have to say I'd love to have a matrix rep that I could be in touch with about new lines etc but I don't think it's possible unless you're a salon. (Feel free to correct me someone )

Thank you for replying
What colours would you say you used goldwell for and matrix?
like I haven’t used matrix and haven’t used more than one brand at a time so wondering your go to with both if that makes sense lol

I’m thinking of getting back into hairdressing so zero clients! and want be freelance, but colour theory (apart from the basics) was my weakness if I’m honest. I would start up mainly marketing for blow drys, hairstyling and cuts to build a bit, then start colouring down the line... Just researching as much as possible in the mean time, I’ve got loads of questions!

 

[HairbyJess]

So matrix is my main line, the one I trained with in college and one that I know best out of the two. However I've found a few people seem to be allergic to Matrix but not to goldwell (the brand I used in my salon job) I don't know goldwell as much as matrix but that's why it's my secondary brand, for the people allergic to matrix. The geeks here are a lifesaver when you're stuck on formulas! I don't know about your area or intended clientele, but for me cuts are what I do most, have the best rate of pay and are usually what I get inquiries for. Hairstyling is usually word of mouth from previous customers. I found my colour clients usually asked me to do a cut first, and once they knew they could trust what I did then asked about colour, which is great as you already know the hair (and the customer ) If I had someone ask for colour straight off then I would insist on a physical consultation, as I can't afford to have a huge range of colours to work with like at salon so had to know exactly what I was heading into.

 

[Sharne_]

Well I was thinking my niche would be blow drying and styling, doing cuts aswell and like you say probably colouring those regulars cause I’ll know their hair well! lol and I suppose I was looking into different brand because obviously starting back up from scartch I’m looking everything!! And trying to be cost effective aswell. Like ive heard people say goldwell is expensive like I’ve researched the tube which are 60g are just as much money as 90g in other brands but then I think their developing lotions are quite affordable.
one more question... sorry What products do you purchase for styling?

 

[HairbyJess]

Don't apologise about having questions, it's what this forum is for
Styling products I use are Indola 4+4 ( for hairspray, mousse, heat protector) and Osmo (for sprays, creams, gels etc). Osmo do a an amazing deep moisture mask which is a great deep conditioner. I've tried the Schwarzkoph Silhouette mousse and hairspray and they're great too.

I went for these because we used Indola at my salon job, so I'd used them before, and osmo seemed to be quite affordable. I love the matrix styling products but they are expensive!

They're not the most luxury products but do the job excellently for me, and are affordable. When I first started out I struggled with how I was going to afford to stock up, so practically before every client I'd go to the suppliers and just get exactly what I needed for them. It was fiddly at the beginning but the only way to not bankrupt myself (I started from scratch with little savings) and I saved money on not buying things I'd never turn out to use. Of course as you go along doing this you then end up building up your stock gradually. It will be expensive at the beginning!

Also about colours yes goldwell do seem to be expensive for the amount you get. That's one of the reasons I like matrix! You get 90g for around £6.50 (+vat). Their grey coverage is fantastic too. I have to say personally I find most of goldwells dark naturals seem to have a bit of a khaki tinge to them but that might just be me. That said their 10v in colorance is the best toner I've used!

Whatever brand you decide to go with maybe try to do a colour education course with them. For example matrix do a one day colour course which introduces you to all their ranges, and you get a handbook which has all the mixing ratios/development times/which ranges you can mix together/what colours need bases when colouring white etc. I'm sure other brands will do something like that? When you're on your own you don't have anyone to bounce ideas off so it's important to have a good grounding in the brand you use and it's capabilites.

All the best with going freelance

 

[Tracey xox]

I’m mobile and in my town there are 2 wholesalers that I buy from, just pop in, pick up what I need, and that’s all, I use Wella as trained with them, have tried others over the years but it’s far better,
I can place orders online and they do deliver to my home with courier, I think you can also order direct from Wella although I haven’t tried that yet? I don’t know if there is a min order that way or not?
I started over 20 years ago, stopped for having kids then pickedback up again, love it, even after lockdown!

 

[gc2233]

I think you need to think of your clientele and set your price accordingly then that will dictate what price range your products are going to be in.
e.g if you are setting yourself in the higher end of the market and charging high prices for your services you should be able to afford the best on the market with all the extras.
If your prices are at the low end of the market you should be using low to mid range products and the customer will have to pay for any extras I.e. I would charge my customers extra for those that wanted to use L’Oréal studio paste as it was twice the price.
your business has to be profitable first and foremost- you don’t want to be spending 3 hours at someone’s house to make a tenner!
i worked mobile for years and built up a real solid clientele on mostly cuts, I’d do all family at once and offer discounts for friends to join them then I’d get referrals from them so it worked quite well. I would do highlights and full headcolour and semi permanent but for anything more complicated like colour correction I’d refer them to my friends salon, more for practicality really but also cost vs time meant it wasn’t so lucrative for what I felt I could charge them.
like the others have said above just pop to your local suppliers and get what your need when you need it. It’s a waste of money & stock buying up a whole range and it sitting in the back of your car.
Best of luck

 

[Tracey xox]

I find the local Facebook sites are where I get most of my new clients, always comment on any requests with you phone number and Facebook page link, then everyone who comments will see your number,
Also Google do a free page (which acts a bit like Facebook) where you can upload photos and it’s called Google My Business, I’ve had a few new clients that’s way,
I’ve started from scratch twice due to kids and now really busy, (but i’m in a big town)
If you offer refer a friend deals that might get clients to you quicker, or get some business cards made up and pass them out in local places, and just advertise yourself wherever you can?!
word of mouth will be your best friend,
If you want to specialise in blowdrying, maybe link up with someone who does makeup as a package for events, nights out, or if you do hair up, get in with wedding venues?
play about with products and really get to know them, I use Wella but tbh I don’t use them much, I do a lot of wet cuts as blowdrying is not my strong point!
good luck xx