Is Cosmetology a Good Career for Moms?
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My mother was a beautician. She didn’t have the training of a cosmetologist, but she did have the ability to make money on the side while cutting and dyeing hair.
It was a good part-time job for a mom with little free time and a house full of children.
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Is Cosmetology a Good Career for a Mom?
Cosmetology is a good career choice for a mom who loves beauty and spending time with people. The pay is pretty good, considering you don’t need a 4-year degree, and you’ll have a lot of options for setting your own hours.
A cosmetologist must have an eye for making other people look their best. More importantly, they must have excellent customer service and people skills.
Cosmetology has a lot to offer to a mom who wants to earn either a full- or part-time salary. The benefits of this career far outweigh the drawbacks. However, it does take a special kind of person to be able to be successful in cosmetology.
Find a Cosmetology School Near You
If you’re interested in an awesome career as a cosmetologist, fill out the form to have a recruiter reach out to you.
The Pros and Cons of Cosmetology for Moms
One of the biggest pros of cosmetology is that it doesn’t require a lot of education.
You do need to have either a high school diploma or a GED. You will then need to complete a cosmetology program, which generally takes as little as nine months or up to two years for an associate’s degree.
The downside of this is that cosmetology school is pricey. You can expect to spend as much as $20,000 for tuition, which doesn’t include room, board, or supplies.
You should be able to jump into a cosmetology career immediately upon receiving your certification. You might work for a salon where you’ll earn an hourly salary plus tips and/or commission.
Conversely, many cosmetologists rent booths in salons. This allows them to set their own hours, though their pay is often regulated by the salon itself.
Renting your own salon chair is seemingly the ideal situation. However, you will need to work extra hard to secure clients because the salon will not do this on your behalf.
Creating a satisfied client base can take a lot of time, patience and skill.
The Schedule of a Cosmetologist
An attractive part of being a cosmetologist is the ability to set your own hours. You can work around your child’s busy schedule with ease.
You will be bound by the hours set by the salon, but renting a chair or booth means you can choose the hours that work best for you.
Another option is to open your own salon. You’ll have to pay rent on a building or workspace and install all of the supplies you need, which won’t be cheap.
On the other hand, you’ll be able to set your own hours and pay scale. You can even create a play space for your child, so you can work while your kids and the kids of your clients are nearby.
When my children were younger, I went to a salon that was operated by a single mom. She was the only cosmetologist, and her space was very small.
However, it had a large playroom where her children and mine could enjoy each other during their wait. Before she knew it, word spread about her pro-mom, kid-friendly salon.
She eventually had to rent a much larger space and hire employees. She now has one of the most successful salons in town.
Some cosmetologists have tools but no space of their own. These traveling cosmetologists make appointments to visit their clients’ homes.
Though making house calls is rare, it can be an attractive option. This is especially helpful for special occasions like weddings and proms.
Find a Cosmetology School Near You
If you’re interested in an awesome career as a cosmetologist, fill out the form to have a recruiter reach out to you.
Salary and Benefits in the Beauty Biz
A typical cosmetologist makes about $30,000 per year. This may not seem like much, but it’s a great addition for a two-income family.
That said, single moms shouldn’t give up on the idea of being a cosmetologist.
If you’re excellent at sales and customer service, you can have a booming client base that might give you a salary that is twice the average pay.
A cosmetologist might pad their salary by promoting products that provide a commission.
Creative cosmetologists can advertise beauty parties where multiple people are pampered in a social setting. These parties are a lot of work, but the pay is often worth it.
The most successful cosmetologists are those who are able to build relationships with their clients. Having a devoted client base is necessary for repeat business and word-of-mouth.
Still, no matter how well you get along with your clients, you may not have benefits.
Only 20 percent of cosmetologists have medical insurance paid for by their salon. The rest will need to find a way to foot the bill for their own insurance and save for retirement on their own.
Apply to Cosmetology Schools Near You
You can have a successful career as a cosmetologist. It also makes a great part-time job. You’ll make money while also developing lifelong friendships.
Are you interested in a career in cosmetology? Go here to start applying to cosmetology schools near you.
