The 3 Best Hair Salon Owner Certifications Online
Are you thinking of becoming a hair salon owner? It can be a very rewarding career, but it’s important to do your research first. There are many different things you need to know before making the jump into this business. One of the most important things is getting the proper education and certification.
The three best hair salon owner certifications online are:
We’ll detail each one of these later in this article.
Keep reading to find out more on the three best online certificates for hair salon owners and provide an in-depth description of each course regarding length, coursework, resources, and more.
What Does It Take to Own a Hair Salon?
We could dedicate an entire article to this question alone, but for those you still unsure if this is the path you want to take, here is an overview of what you’ll need to at least get started once you’ve acquired all the necessary certifications, permits, and licenses.
Logistically, in order to start and maintain a hair salon business, there are a few things you’ll need. This includes a clear and detailed business plan, a legal structure, and a prime location for business. These are just the basics.
It is useful to have some certifications to add to your hair saoon services before getting a Hair Salon Owner Certification such as, Microblading Training Certification, knowing everything about Aesthetic Laser 101: Cost, Uses and More, and even knowing how to Box Braid 101.
In addition to the items shared above, you’ll also need to make sure the following are in place:
- A business name and registration
- The required permits and certifications as dictated by the U.S government and your state
- The required insurances as dictated by the U.S government and your state
- Styling supplies and equipment
- Furniture and features for styling station(s) and waiting room (ex. organization and coat racks, complimentary coffee station, sofas)
- A team of trained and certified stylists
- Marketing resources (ex. social media presence, brand products, etc.)
- A marketing plan
Of course, there are other, less tangible things you’ll need, such as the determination to see this process through, a strong support system, and no small amount of patience since it can take several years for you to obtain everything you need to get up and running.
In addition to these factors, you will also need to be able to generate steady business through loyal clientele that visit regularly as well as new clients to ensure you generate enough revenue to pay for your business, its employees and still profit.
What Does it Take Financially?
Speaking of money, if you’re curious about what it takes to start a hair salon financially, the answer is that it depends. Some sources state that a basic setup would require around $62,000 when in reality, it all comes down to the scope of your business.
If you’re starting off as the only stylist and running the business out of your own home, it will be significantly cheaper than if you decide to rent a large studio and hire four or more stylists right away.
Remember that you’ll need to cover the cost of numerous expenses, including:
- Licensing/certification tuition and permit costs
- Insurance
- Rent or mortgage payments
- Utilities
- Equipment
- Labor costs
- Products and tools for your stylists
- Shipping and delivery costs for hair product
You’ll likely also pay for advertising and marketing expenses as well, most commonly the rights to an official website.
Yes, starting and maintaining a hair salon is no small feat, but if you have the funds and the means to get started, it can be an extremely fulfilling career. So, let’s discuss what it takes for you to even become a hair salon owner and manager.
What Are The Requirements Needed, And Does It Differ By State?
While it can be tempting to start putting money down on that ideal salon spot and start planning the ins and out’s of your salon business, you need to acquire the necessary credentials first.
In order to legally own and run a salon, you will need:
- State Cosmetology or Beautician’s License
- Salon Retail Seller Permit
- Salon Business Operation License
- Federal Employer Identification Number (EIN)
- Certificate of Occupancy
However, the tricky part about becoming a hair salon owner is that each state has its own criteria regarding whether you need additional licensing/permits and, if so, what type. The best way to determine what your state, in particular, requires is to go to the state’s website. There, you should find the requirements set by that state’s board of the department of cosmetology.
As a general rule, every state will require that you have some degree of state-approved education in cosmetology (either through a training school or apprenticeship), you have obtained substantial hours of hands-on experience ins styling, and you can pass some form of the competency exam. Licensing is also required in all 50 states, so it is unavoidable whether you want to receive this online or in person.
How Much Money Does a Hair Salon Make?
No matter how passionate you are about being a salon owner and the art of hairstyling, at the end of the day, your salon is a business and, most likely, the source of your revenue. As such, it is common and reasonable for potential salon owners to wonder how profitable their business will be and what kind of life they can expect financially as a hair salon owner.
In terms of the hair salon itself as a business, most make $19,100 in profit or revenue of $245,000 annually before expenditures, every year with an average profit margin of 8.2%. Of course, this is highly dependent on several factors such as average cost of expenditures, employee wages, cost of services, etc.
Unfortunately, there aren’t too many concrete figures out there on how much a hair salon makes as the business itself, but there are several sources that clearly state how much their owners can expect to make annually.
The gross income of a hair salon owner varies significantly between each business, but on average, these individuals make around $75,000 per year and fall within the $70,000 to $175,000 annual salary range. That being said, realistically, they can fall anywhere within the range of $14,500 to $385,00 per year.
Again, this figure is dependent on various factors, most importantly, how well the salon owner’s business is profiting. A good not to make here, though, is that hair salons and other beauty-related businesses are typically seen as relatively safe investments, as long as you’ve done your research and due diligence to ensure your business has the best chance of generating enough revenue to maintain itself and profit.
The 3 Best Hair Salon Owner Certifications Online
Now that you know what it takes to become a hair salon owner and what you can realistically expect your business to make financial and your own potential gross annual income, it’s time to take that crucial first step toward licensing and certification.
Receiving your hair salon owner certification online is almost always the most convenient and cost-effective route to take. However, as much as we’d like to say that there are countless exceptional online programs that will have you graduating with all the certifications necessary to go straight to owning a hair salon, it isn’t the case.
Most focus on hairstylist training or advanced stylist training, which means you will still need to obtain several of the permits and licenses previously listed after you graduate.
That being said, there are many exceptional online programs that will provide you with the hands-on experience, knowledge, and some degree of certification that will allow you to easily obtain the other credentials necessary to own a hair salon
Below, we have provided a brief but detailed description of each program, so you know what to expect in terms of course length, content, resources, and what type of certification you’ll be presented upon graduating.
1. IAP Career College's Online Hair Salon Owner Certificate Course
There are few online hair salon courses tailored specifically to individuals interested in being salon owners, and of those options, this course offered by IAP Career College is the superior choice by far.
This self-directed course will give you all of the convenience of online schooling paired with exceptional training and resources that focus on course topics such as:
- Types of hair salons and salon services
- Skills and knowledge you will need as a salon owner
- Choosing the right name, niche, and location for your salon
- Creating a business plan
- Daily salon operations
- Financial management
- Getting and keeping clients
And these are just a few topics spread out along six sections that take through the entire process of starting and maintaining your own salon from beginning to end.
Since the course is completely online and self-directed, students have the option of taking as few as 4 weeks to as many as 12 weeks to complete all course requirements.
The overall cost of the course is $297 and includes:
- Registration for the Hair Salon Owner Certificate Course Online
- Access to a Faculty Member to provide you with personal teaching assistance and career advice
- (Optional) 2022 membership in the IAP International Association of Professional Hair Salon Owners for only $2.99 per month
- Downloadable Hair Salon Owner Certificate personalized with your name and the seal of the International Association of Professions Career College
- (Optional) Opportunity to order official certificates printed on fine linen paper and embossed with the gold seal of the college
- Textbook: IAP Career College Guide to Become a Hair Salon Owner (e-book edition)
2. University of Massachusetts Boston Executive Salon Management Certificate
Another reputable online course option is provided by the University of Massachusetts Boston and is given in parallel to an MBA Business Growth Consulting course at UMass Boston.
This course will pay particular attention on the core business knowledge and skills it will take for any stylist to become a hair salon owner. While here, you will learn about managing operations, marketing, finance, and much more as it pertains to this specific market.
If you’re interested in taking a business heavy approach to your training towards hair salon owner certification, this course will meet and far exceed your expectations. This is also the ideal choice for individuals who are seeking a collegiate atmosphere and curriculum.
In addition to individual study through readings and videos, students will demonstrate what they have learned through a team-based consulting project with a 2to10 company and attend online lecture and held by collegiate professors.
At the end of the course, students are expected to attend 2to10 Leadership Conference in April at UMass Boston, where they will present their projects, and then, if they completed the course adequately, they will receive the certificate mentioned above.
3. International Career Institute Advanced Hair Dressing Diploma
Our final online certification course recommendation falls a little in between the two courses mentioned above.
The International Career Institute’s “Hair Dressing Diploma” program places the same amount of emphasis on hair salons and styling as IAP Career College (versus the University of Massachusetts Boston, which is a bit more business-oriented) but also shares a college-style curriculum with UMass Boston.
This is a theoretical training program (meaning you won’t receive physical hands-on experience) specifically for aspiring and existing hairdressers. Course topics will start simple, assuming the students are not yet experienced hairstylists and progress in complexity.
Students have the option of pursuing the program’s standard ($1199) or advanced diploma (1599), which differ slightly in length and content. Personally, we recommend the Advanced Diploma for individuals interested in becoming salon owners or who already have experience as a hairstylist.
This course takes 31 weeks to complete versus the standard 24 weeks but pays particular attention to “principles and techniques across various contexts and functions. Graduates can expect to be involved in significant judgments, planning, and leadership/guidance functions related to workplace products, services, operations or procedures.”
Although 31 weeks might seem like a lot at first, students are free to submit assignments as they feel ready and have 3 years to complete the program. This will give you ample time to absorb all of the information the International Career Institute provides through its exceptional resources while planning for your future hair salon.
What's A Good Business Plan Resource While I Get My Certification?
It never hurts to get a head start on creating your future hair salon’s business plan while you’re completing your online certification course. Still, something this logistical can be daunting to anyone, especially if they don’t have any prior experience owning or running a business.
One of the greatest advantages of living in a modern age is that there are limitless online resources that can help with this sort of task, such as how-to articles, templates, and advice posted from people who have been in your exact shoes.
Our top resources for creating a hair salon business plan include:
- Appointy’s: How To Write the Perfect Salon Business Plan for Your Salon in Just 7 Simple Steps
- The Salon Business: Most Helpful Salon Business Plan Template
- The Buy Rite Beauty’s: How to Write a Business Plan for Your Salon
- Grow Thinks’: Hair Salon Business Plan Template
- Natalie Wynn’s: Hair Salon Business Plan Sample Outline
Each of these resources will take you step-by-step through the process of creating an effective business plan for your upcoming hair salon business.
Although many take their own unique approach to the process, there is much that they all have in common in terms of future decisions you’ll need to make, what you should prioritize in our business, and when certain steps should be taken.
Final Thoughts on Hair Salon Owner Certification
Although there are few online hair salon certifications that will provide you with all the credentials you need to own a business straight-away, as long as you are a licensed stylist, the rest should be easy to acquire. Remember to check the salon ownership requirements per your state, and don’t skip out on using our business plan resources so you can hit the ground running straight after graduation.
