Day 4: Booth Rent vs. Commission — Pros & Cons
If you run a barbershop, salon, or spa, you’ve probably asked yourself this:
Should I do booth rent or commission?
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer.
But here’s how I break it down — simple, clear, and based on real-life experience.
💺 What Is Booth Rent?
Booth rent means your team pays you to use space in your shop.
They run their own business inside your business.
They control:
Their own schedule
Their own pricing
Their own clients
You don’t manage them. You just rent the chair.
📈 What Is Commission?
With commission, your team is part of your business.
You set the prices. You bring in the clients. You take a cut from what they earn.
You’re in charge of:
Marketing
Booking
Training
Branding
They work for the business — and help it grow.
✅ Booth Rent: The Pros
Less managing — they’re independent
Steady rent — income doesn’t depend on how busy they are
Less pressure — you don’t handle their books or schedules
❌ Booth Rent: The Cons
Less control — over client experience and brand quality
Harder to grow a strong brand
They can leave and take clients with them
✅ Commission: The Pros
More control — you shape the brand and service
Team growth = business growth
Better returns — with the right structure, commission can earn you 7-figure revenue
That’s the upside:
You don’t just rent space. You build a real machine.
❌ Commission: The Cons
You’ll lead more — train, coach, and manage the team
It takes structure — no systems = chaos
You carry the risk — slow weeks hit harder
So… Which One Should You Pick?
Ask yourself:
Do I want to lead people — or lease space?
Am I building a brand — or a place where people do their own thing?
Do I want simple money — or real growth?
Here’s my take:
Booth rent is simple. Commission, done right, builds wealth.
If you’re willing to lead and structure it right, commission can change your business forever.
💡 Want Help Setting It Up?
At Blend Advisory, I use proven frameworks that help shop owners:
Choose the right model
Build a team that performs
Hit big goals — without the stress
If you want to grow a real business — not just fill chairs — I can help.
This is Day 4 of my 100-day blog series.
Every post is built for owners who want to grow, lead, and build something worth keeping.
— Jared
