Things I wish I knew before leaving my commission salon to freelance: 1️⃣ The hours you work aren’t just the hours you do hair. Emails, text, coordinating with your admin if you have one, training assistants if you have them, social media, all marketing, website upkeep, travel, continuing education, meeting brand deadlines, inventory, the list goes on. 40 hours doing hair behind the chair isn’t sustainable, but it’s the only time you’re making money so it feels necessary. Take the day off, don’t always fill the cancellation. Sleep in. You need it. 2️⃣ Discounts are disrespectful to your full paying clients. Discounts aren’t just bad for business, it’s actually pretty messed up to the people who spend their hard earned money with you without question. If you’re doing a trade or a gift, you better be able to explain to your accountant how it benefits your business more than money. If not, it’s an emotional discount, and a middle finger to the ones who continuously pay. 3️⃣ Art and admin mix like oil and water. At least for me. Still don’t have a perfect system, and it still makes my head spin. If you hate admin as much as I do, good luck out there. 4️⃣ There’s a fine line between client and friend. I’m not good at this one either, I can barely find the line. I just love them. 5️⃣ Embrace failing upwards, there’s a lot of it ahead. No one is good at everything. When you freelance, there’s no team clapping for you after a career high. There’s also no one taking the fall for your mistakes. It’s all on you. Own it, and use it to make yourself better. 6️⃣ Don’t let the expenses scare you, it’s undoubtedly worth it. For whatever reason there’s a little rumor running around saying freelance is more expensive than commission. In my experience, it’s just not true. It’s a lot of work, a lot of organization, and much more responsibility. However, there’s also more freedom, more money, and more room to grow into whatever type of artist you want to be. It’s undoubtedly worth it. I’d do it again and again.