Everything. This job is a nightmare. The only person making money here are the franchise owners and the people above them.
The payment “scale” is a nightmare. You only make $3-$5 PER service you perform. Meanwhile they’re charging $65-$75+ per blowout.
They will try to work you like a machine, demanding that your blowouts are 30 minutes, no matter the clients hair length or type. It’s ridiculous. They try to insist this is so YOU can make more money! But with how criminally low the commission is, it’s so THEY can make more morning.
The front desk associates get a higher commission on sold memberships than stylists do. Think about that for a moment.
They will try to get you to sign a contract that if you don’t stay with them for a specified amount of time, that you owe them $500 for their “training program.” Their training is nonsense. You watch videos on a computer then practice on the mannequin. In no way is it worth $500, it’s just a scam to scare you into staying there long term.
They do not clean the salon OR tools in compliance with state board standards, they encourage you to do it the “Drybar” way (aka the illegal way) because they care more about preserving their tacky, yellow colored tools than they do about the safety and sanitation of the salon.
They also pick and choose favorites. The favoritism is crazy. It’s okay for one of the girls to curse on the floor and talk about her boyfriends drug addiction in front of everyone, including clients, but you didn’t come to work with perfect, blowout ready hair, every single day? Then you’re the problem. Not the unprofessionalism within the salon, even when clients complain about it. They’ll nitpick things about your personality and appearance that they have a personal issue with, instead. Be prepared for the owner to tell you about your “resting b*tch face.” Super professional!
This entire business is predatory and takes advantage of the stylists working there. I’m not exaggerating when I say 90% of the stylists employed here have second and third jobs because it’s impossible to make a decent living in this glorified sweat shop.
The Melbourne, FL location was the worst salon I have ever had the displeasure of working for. I would rather be a wage slave to McDonald’s than work here again.
This location has had the entire stylist staff walk out at once together and quit, leaving the entire salon empty. I cannot even think of a bigger red flag than this.
They’ll also refuse to provide you with your final paycheck, despite never signing the contract with them, and refuse to provide tax paperwork. Literally was forced to reach out to the IRS regarding their blatant refusal to give me my tax paperwork.
