The Golden Rules to SLAYING SOLO

The trend towards self-employment has resulted in swathes of professionals choosing independence, but before you jump, consider these golden rules of slaying solo

Our industry has always been fluid employment-wise, but innovation, the pandemic and changes in attitudes have led to a surge in selfemployment – going solo has never been so popular. With stylists and salon owners searching for a better work-life balance, freelancing can offer flexibility and variety. You can pick and choose your hours to be there for your kids, escape the drama by renting a space, and go on holiday when you want, or even work across various locations. But it isn’t always easy, especially when it comes to employment status and paying taxes. Here’s how to slay it solo without suffering.

• Don’t bad-mouth your ex-boss. It’s bad karma and reputations are fragile. Make sure you leave on good terms so, should the situation change, there’s a door still open for you.

• Don’t leap before checking all the important stuff like employment status, how you’ll pay your taxes and who gives the best deal on credit card payments. HMRC has refused to recognise self-employment in some chair rental situations, so take steps towards full independence by setting up your own free booking system with Shortcuts Aire and paying for your own education. It might be worth booking a session with an employment expert like Rebecca Day of Day HR Consultancy, who specialises in the beauty and hair industry.

• Be open 24/7 with Shortcuts Aire, the free software developed specifically for freelancers and micro-salons. It’s more than just booking software - it provides a fully customisable branded website, realtime appointment management, and comprehensive client tracking, all with no hidden fees. The system’s flexibility lets you work the hours you want - whether that’s starting after 10am, taking three-day weekends, or blocking out school pickup times. Plus, with automatic buffer time settings and quick schedule adjustments, you maintain control over your work-life balance.

• Be ready to talk up your genius with automated client communications. Shortcuts Aire handles your marketing automatically with set-and-forget SMS and email campaigns, appointment confirmations (with 100 free SMS included in the Pro Plan), and intelligent client tracking. The system even helps you create VIP experiences by keeping detailed client notes - from service preferences to conversation details - ensuring every client feels remembered and valued.

• Be active online so you have a virtual shop front where clients can see your amazing work. Shortcuts Aire provides a branded website and seamlessly integrates with your social channels, plus enables direct bookings from Google Search and Maps to attract local clients. The online booking experience is highly rated (4.7 out of 5 stars by over 1 million users), turning your social media presence into a 24/7 booking machine.

• Keep on training – brands are increasingly offering education for independents, but some of the most exciting content is coming from established Freelance Educators like Rachael Lomax @copperqueeneducation.Consider signing up for online training or even in person.

• Find Your Tribe. As well as providing education, many of these providers are building communities of likeminded individuals who are on the same journey… which segues nicely into the next rule.

• Look after you! It can be a bit lonely and stressful going solo. That’s why tools like Shortcuts Aire include features such as colour-coded scheduling views, automatic conflict checking, and intuitive reporting dashboards - so you can spend less time on admin, and more time on what matters. Whether you’re managing appointments on your smartphone, tablet, or computer, you’ll have everything you need at your fingertips to run your business efficiently while maintaining that crucial work-life balance.