I provide hair services for my clients that include shampooing, coloring, cutting, perming, waxing and styling. My responsibilities include making client appointments, customer service, cleaning and disinfecting tools and salon areas, and ensuring clients are pleased with their hair.

Training includes cosmetology schooling with classroom education and hand-on learning. When I trained in the 1985, it was about 10 month of schooling, now it is closer to 18-24 months. The state of MN requires a license to provide services and license renewal every 3 year with continuing education.

Wage is dependent on client base, location in the state, self-employment or contracted,  full or part time hours, as well as other factors. In the Wright County area it is common for a men's haircut to be approximately $25, a women's haircut around $30, and a full color ranging from $50 to $150.

It is a challenging career to be self-employed in because of lack of benefits. It is very competitive because each stylist brings a difference creativity, price points, and availability of appointments. Anyone who enjoys conversing with people and being creative while working hard could be successful.

I love that I get the meet new people, be creative, be talkative, be a listener and build relationship that become friendships with clients. Doing someones hair can give them a whole new feel about life and I get to be bark of that.

It is challenging to work long and sometimes odd hours of build client base, be on your feet for the entire duration of your day, and once in a while some clients can present personality struggles. 

It is hard to make a comfortable wage with the long days of full time hours and many nights and weekend appointments, however I have found a balance with part time hair-styling, and flexible schedule, and being able to raise a family. Be willing to work hard, be flexible, and listen to what your clients are asking for.