How to Make 6 Figures As A Salonist? (11 Best Ways in 2024)
So you want to make six figures as a Salonist? Good for you! Being a Salonist is a highly respectable and well-paid profession, and there's no reason why you can't earn a high income if you put your mind to it.
In this blog post, we'll look at some of the best ways to make more money as a Salonist - business ideas you can start to achieve such income. Keep reading to learn more!
1. Start an ecommerce store ($287K/month)
Starting an ecommerce store could significantly boost your income as a Salonist by allowing you to sell beauty products and services online. This opens up opportunities for you to offer your favorite salon products, exclusive kits, and virtual consultations to a broader audience without the constraints of geographical location.
The low overhead costs and flexibility of an online store mean you could operate this side business without major investments or time commitments. Additionally, the booming ecommerce market provides an ideal environment to tap into a convenience-seeking customer base, allowing you to generate substantial additional revenue and potentially reach that six-figure mark.
Setting up an ecommerce store involves creating a website, managing inventory, and setting up payment processing and shopping cart software. By leveraging the efficiency and reach of an online platform, you could establish a thriving business that complements and enhances your existing salon services.
How much you can make: $350 — $13,500,000/month
How long does it take to build: 120 days (?)
Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week
Southern Elegance Candle Company, founded by D'Shawn Russell, started as a side hustle making around $200 per weekend at a local Farmers Market, but now averages approximately $20,000 per month in sales across their retail site, wholesale site, and Faire.
2. Become an affiliate marketer ($55.3K/month)
As a Salonist, you could significantly supplement your income by becoming an affiliate marketer. This business model allows you to promote other companies' products or services and earn commissions for every sale made through your referral.
Given your expertise in beauty and personal care, you could easily tap into affiliate programs related to these niches. With minimal upfront investment, you can leverage your existing client network and marketing skills to drive traffic and sales, earning additional revenue without needing to create or own the products yourself.
This low-cost venture could be an excellent side business or even transition into a primary source of income, potentially helping you achieve a six-figure salary in 2024.
How much you can make: $18,000 — $83,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $100 (?)
How long does it take to build: 150 days (?)
This case study explores how Spencer Mecham founded Buildapreneur, an affiliate marketing business, and has made over half a million dollars in profit with no employees, relying solely on content marketing through platforms like Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok.
3. Start a social media marketing agency ($116K/month)
Starting a social media marketing agency could be a lucrative way to supplement your income as a salonist and achieve a six-figure earnings. Whether your goal is to clear utility bills, finance your college education, or save for a vacation, this venture provides a flexible, supplemental income stream. The advantage is that you do not need to commit excessive time; automation tools and well-crafted marketing strategies allow you to serve customers efficiently.
By developing a strong social media marketing strategy and creating a compelling agency portfolio, you could effectively attract clients who are eager to enhance their online presence. This entrepreneurial endeavor is particularly appealing because it aligns well with the creative and social skills you already possess as a salonist. Considering the growing importance of social media, you could tap into a high-demand market while leveraging your existing network and expertise.
How much you can make: $1,000 — $500,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $7,500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
Time commitment per week: Min. 30 hours/week
How David Tile turned a freelance writing gig into an $80k/month business, discussing lessons learned through managing growing demands and maintaining a remote team operation.
4. Start a blog ($44.9K/month)
Starting a blog could be an excellent way to supplement your income as a Salonist and eventually help you reach six figures. By sharing your expertise on hair care, beauty tips, and salon management, you could attract a broad audience, given that 77% of internet users read blogs. The trustworthiness of blogs as a source of information could position you as an authority in your field, further engaging your audience.
With a well-defined content strategy and a committed posting schedule, your blog could generate significant traffic, potentially translating into lucrative opportunities such as sponsorships, product promotions, or even online courses. This location-independent venture offers the flexibility to work anytime and anywhere, making it an ideal side business that could grow into a full-time, high-earning profession.
How much you can make: $100 — $650,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 30 days (?)
Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week
Learn how one couple created a successful personal finance blog, The Savvy Couple, that now makes over $20,000 per month and has sold thousands of digital workbooks and courses, by focusing on purposeful content and optimizing their ROI with efficient time management.
5. Start a podcast ($97.9K/month)
Starting a podcast could provide a lucrative opportunity to supplement your income as a salonist by capitalizing on your expertise and passion. By choosing a niche relevant to the beauty and salon industry, you could attract an audience interested in tips, trends, and insider knowledge. This dedicated audience could eventually lead to sponsorships, advertisements, and paid collaborations, significantly boosting your earnings.
Moreover, a podcast could serve as an excellent platform for promoting your salon services and related products, enhancing your brand visibility. It also allows you to connect with other industry experts, potentially opening doors for joint ventures or guest appearances that could further increase your revenue. With minimal investment in basic recording equipment and strategic promotion efforts, starting a podcast could be an accessible and profitable side business, helping you move closer to making six figures.
How much you can make: $400 — $1,020,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $2,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
Time commitment per week: Min. 2 hours/week
A successful podcast production company that grew from one client making $15/hour to a team of 10 contractors producing over 30 shows per week with revenue of over $10k/mo, primarily through referrals and with a focus on providing high personal touch and being picky about working only with clients who are a good fit.
6. Become a social media influencer ($57.4K/month)
Becoming a social media influencer could significantly boost your income, opening avenues you never thought possible as a salonist. With platforms like Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, and TikTok commanding the attention of millions, brands are actively seeking influencers to promote their products and services. By establishing yourself as a credible figure in the beauty and wellness industry, you could attract sponsorships, partnerships, and brand deals that supplement your regular income.
Creating content that highlights your expertise as a salonist could not only draw a dedicated following but also position you as a go-to authority in your field. Posts, tutorials, and reviews can help you engage with a broader audience and drive traffic to your salon business. With the right strategy, this additional revenue stream from brand collaborations and sponsored content could help push your earnings into the six-figure range.
Leveraging social media effectively requires choosing a popular niche you are passionate about and consistently producing high-quality content that resonates with your followers. Being an influencer could also offer the flexibility to work around your salon hours, making it an excellent side hustle or even a full-fledged secondary business.
How much you can make: $2,500 — $166,666/month
How much does it cost to start: $800 (?)
How long does it take to build: 155 days (?)
How one mother built a profitable frugal motherhood, life, and travel blog from scratch, using Instagram, Pinterest, and paid sponsorships to grow from 0 to 18.5K followers and generate $1,500-$3,000 per month in less than two years.
7. Start a youtube channel ($146K/month)
Starting a YouTube channel could significantly supplement your income as a Salonist. By creating content showcasing your unique hairstyling techniques, product reviews, and salon tips, you could attract a dedicated audience interested in all things hair and beauty. This audience could lead to monetization through YouTube's partner program, where reaching 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours within 12 months would unlock ad revenue.
Additionally, a successful YouTube channel could open doors to brand partnerships and sponsored content, further increasing your earning potential. Sharing your expertise online not only promotes your salon but also establishes you as an authority in your field, potentially attracting more clients to your physical location. With dedication, your channel could become a lucrative side business, contributing to a six-figure income.
How much you can make: $800 — $1,000,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $750 (?)
How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)
Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week
Learn how this entrepreneurial couple made $5-7k a month by helping others find legitimate work from home jobs and creative ways to make money online through their blog and YouTube channel, as well as offering two flagship products designed to help beginner freelancers and new bloggers accelerate growth.
8. Create an online course ($91.9K/month)
Starting an online course could significantly boost your income as a Salonist by allowing you to share your specialized skills and knowledge with a broader audience. By identifying educational gaps within your field and creating engaging video lessons and supplementary materials, you could tap into a market of eager students willing to pay for your expertise.
With the flexibility to offer both self-paced and cohort-based courses, your potential for passive income could grow exponentially. This opportunity enables you to not only monetize your instructional talents with minimal startup costs but also to establish yourself as a thought leader in the salon industry. By serving lifelong learners who seek convenient access to emerging salon techniques and trends, you could pave the way to making six figures in 2024.
How much you can make: $350 — $1,000,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $2,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 88 days (?)
Learn how one couple created a successful personal finance blog, The Savvy Couple, that now makes over $20,000 per month and has sold thousands of digital workbooks and courses, by focusing on purposeful content and optimizing their ROI with efficient time management.
9. Start a career coaching business ($48.5K/month)
Starting a career coaching business could significantly boost your income potential as a Salonist. You could leverage your expertise in interpersonal skills and client management to offer personalized career guidance, helping others navigate professional transitions and growth opportunities. This side business allows you to design custom coaching sessions focused on resume building, interview preparation, and workplace advancement, tailored to each client’s unique needs.
The flexibility of offering both in-person and virtual meetings means you could easily balance this venture alongside your existing salon duties. By building a client base, you could empower others through specialized advice and accountability, all while monetizing your natural motivational abilities and setting your own schedule. This entrepreneurial endeavor could pave the way for earning six figures by diversifying your income streams and maximizing your skill set.
How much you can make: $1,000 — $235,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $1,500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
Wall Street Oasis, the largest online community focused on careers in finance, has over 100 million visitors during its 14-year history and is currently receiving over 2 million visits per month, offering interview courses and mentorship services, in addition to building and investing in a thriving online community.
10. Digital products ($261K/month)
Supplementing your income with digital products could be a game-changer on your path to making six figures as a Salonist. Given the high demand and ease of creation, you could offer informational ebooks or video courses on hair care tips, styling techniques, or salon business management. Alternatively, consider developing a membership site or online community where clients pay for exclusive access to your expert advice and tutorials.
Creating digital products allows you to build a business without the logistical constraints of physical inventory. You could sell these products directly from your website, reaching a global audience while working from the comfort of your salon or home. The opportunities are endless, making it a highly viable and profitable side business.
How much you can make: $10,417 — $1,766,666/month
How much does it cost to start: $5,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
FilterGrade is an eCommerce platform offering digital assets such as photo filters and video templates; attracting over 450,000 monthly users and generating approximately 30k a month, the founders worked hard to build a valuable marketplace for creators while focusing on digital marketing, partnerships, and content creation.
11. Start a freelance writing business ($65.5K/month)
Starting a freelance writing business could be an excellent way to supplement your income as a Salonist and help you make six figures. The flexibility of freelance writing allows you to define your own work schedule, meaning you could easily work from home and write during your off-hours from the salon.
By leveraging your strong writing skills and industry knowledge, you could write articles on beauty trends, hair care tips, and salon management, providing valuable content for beauty blogs and online magazines. Being a self-starter with the ability to meet deadlines and properly communicate with clients will be key to securing high-paying writing gigs and staying on the cutting edge of writing trends.
Overall, freelance writing offers a flexible, entrepreneurial opportunity that aligns well with the dynamic nature of being a Salonist.
How much you can make: $700 — $500,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 56 days (?)
How David Tile turned a freelance writing gig into an $80k/month business, discussing lessons learned through managing growing demands and maintaining a remote team operation.
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Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
