Salon Suite vs. Commission Salon vs. Commercial Rent: Which Is Right for You?

Making the leap from working for someone to working for yourself is both exciting and overwhelming. Whether you’re a hairstylist, esthetician, PMU artist, or beauty professional at any stage of your career, one of the biggest questions you’ll face is: Where should I run my business?

In this post, we’re breaking down the three most common options for independent beauty professionals: commission salons, salon suites, and full commercial spaces. Each path has its pros and cons—and the right choice depends on your goals, budget, lifestyle, and vision for your future.

Let’s talk real numbers, real pros and cons, and help you get really clear on what’s right for you.

💇‍♀️ Option 1: Commission Salon

The setup: You work as part of a team, typically earning a percentage of your service revenue and a small cut of retail sales. You usually don’t pay rent, but you also don’t control your schedule, pricing, or branding.

Pros: 

✔ No overhead—product, booking, and marketing are often handled for you 

✔ Built-in team culture and mentorship 

✔ Great for newer stylists still building a client base

Cons: 

✖ Limited autonomy—you’re operating under someone else’s brand 

✖ Earnings are capped (and often lower than you realize) 

✖ Retail commissions are minimal

✖ Salon drama—personality clashes and tension with coworkers can affect your day-to-day

Let’s do the math: Say you’re seeing 3 clients/day, 5 days/week, at $150 per ticket:

• Weekly Service Revenue: $2250

• Salon takes 60%: -$1350

• Retail Sales: $400

• Your cut (10%): $40 

  
  
  
  

  → Weekly Income: $940 

  → Yearly Income: $45,120

🪞 Option 2: Salon Suite (like Serenity Studios)

The setup: You rent your own private studio space inside a salon suite building. You set your own prices, manage your own clients, and decorate your space however you want.

Pros: 

✔ Total freedom—set your hours, services, and brand identity 

✔ Keep more of what you earn 

✔ Still part of a community, but on your own terms 

✔ Easy, turnkey setup with far less overhead than going fully solo

✔ You choose your own products, tools, and business expenses—no more using whatever the salon provides

Cons: 

✖ Requires some self-discipline and marketing effort

✖ Slow months can feel stressful without a guaranteed paycheck

The numbers (same workload as above):

• Service Revenue: $2250

• Suite Rent: -$250

• Retail Sales: $400

• Product Cost: -$200

• Other expenses (insurance, supplies): -$150 

  
  

  → Weekly Income: $2050 

  → Yearly Income: $91,000+

That’s a difference of over $45,000 a year compared to a commission salon—for the exact same work. 💸

🏢 Option 3: Commercial Rent (Retail Space)

The setup: You lease your own storefront or commercial unit—typically a larger space where you operate solo or build a team. This is full-on business ownership, with all the freedom and all the responsibility.

Pros: 

✔ Total control over your branding, layout, and services 

✔ Opportunity to scale—rent chairs, bring on a team, sell retail 

✔ Potential to build long-term equity in your business and brand

Cons: 

✖ High overhead—and you’re in charge of everything 

✖ Long-term lease commitments 

✖ More admin, more logistics, more stress

The financial reality: Commercial spaces typically charge rent per square foot, and many include something called a NNN fee (short for “triple net”)—which is like a commercial HOA. That means you’ll pay for taxes, insurance, and maintenance in addition to your rent.

You're also fully responsible for:

• Buildout and renovations (which can cost $10K–$50K+)

• Utilities and WiFi

• Furniture and equipment

• Cleaning, licenses, insurance, signage, marketing... the list goes on.

This path can be empowering if you're ready to grow a team or create a signature destination—but it’s also the riskiest and most complex option for solo beauty professionals just starting out.

✨ Final Thoughts: Know Your Numbers, Know Your Worth

Trying to decide between a Salon Suite vs. Commission Salon vs. Commercial Rent can be such a hard decision. We know going out on your own feels risky—and traditional salons do have their place, especially when you’re just getting started. But if you're dreaming of something more, something that's truly yours, a salon suite might be the perfect bridge between structure and freedom.

At Serenity Studios, we believe in supporting beauty professionals who are ready to bet on themselves—with beautiful, customizable suites, an uplifting community, and resources to help you thrive.

You’re not just renting a room. You’re building a brand, your way.

If you're interested in learning more, we have locations located in Eagle Mountain & Lehi, UT. Reach out to schedule a tour of our available studios!