Running a hair salon looks glamorous from the outside. Beautiful space, happy clients, the creative energy of transformation. But behind every smooth appointment at Wish Dry Bar is a lot of work that clients never see. Here's an honest look at what goes into running a salon—the stress, the rewards, and everything in between.
The Morning Rush
Before the first client walks through the door, there's preparation. Stations cleaned and sanitized. Tools checked and organized. Products stocked. Towels folded and ready. Schedule reviewed for the day's appointments. Coffee brewed—for the team first, then for clients.
This setup happens every single day. It's not glamorous, but it's essential. A salon that looks effortlessly polished requires deliberate effort to achieve that effect.
Managing the Unexpected
No matter how well you plan, surprises happen. A stylist calls in sick and needs covering. A bride's mother decides she wants her hair done too, last minute. A product shipment arrives late. A client shows up for an appointment that was actually scheduled for yesterday.
These situations require immediate problem-solving while maintaining calm for the clients in the salon who don't need to know there's chaos behind the scenes. The ability to handle unexpected issues without visible stress is a skill that takes years to develop.
The Human Element
Salons are about people—not just hair. Team dynamics matter. A stylist having a bad day can affect the energy of the entire salon. Personality conflicts need diplomatic resolution. Training and development require time and investment. Keeping talented stylists when other salons try to recruit them is an ongoing challenge.
Then there are clients. Most are wonderful, but some are challenging. Managing expectations, handling complaints gracefully, knowing when to push back versus accommodate—these interpersonal skills are just as important as any business metric.
The Business Side
Behind the creative work is a business that needs to function. Inventory management—enough product to serve clients, not so much that capital is tied up on shelves. Scheduling that maximizes chair time without burning out staff. Pricing that reflects value while remaining competitive. Marketing that brings in new clients. Bookkeeping, taxes, insurance, licensing, compliance.
Many people open salons because they love hair. They quickly discover they need to love (or at least tolerate) spreadsheets too.
The Physical Demands
Salon work is physically demanding. Stylists stand for hours. Arms raised repeatedly for cutting and blow-drying. Hands exposed to products and water. The ergonomic strain is real and cumulative. Good salon management means protecting the physical health of the team through proper equipment, scheduled breaks, and reasonable booking practices.
Why It's Worth It
Despite the challenges, there are rewards that make it worthwhile. A bride tears up seeing herself in the mirror before her wedding. A client says her blowout made her feel confident for a job interview she nailed. Someone walks in stressed and walks out smiling, transformed not just in appearance but in how they carry themselves.
These moments are the reason people stay in this industry. The tangible impact of making someone feel beautiful—it's immediate, visible, and deeply satisfying.
Building Something Meaningful
Beyond individual transformations, there's the satisfaction of building something that matters. A team that works well together. A space that people genuinely enjoy visiting. A reputation built on consistently delivering what you promise. Watching a business grow from an idea into a living, functioning entity is its own kind of reward.
The Balance
The stress never fully goes away. Neither does the reward. Running a salon means holding both simultaneously—the pressure and the pleasure, the challenges and the triumphs. It's not for everyone, but for those who find meaning in it, there's nothing quite like it.
Next time you visit Wish Dry Bar, know that the calm atmosphere and seamless service represent countless hours of work you'll never see. That's exactly how it should be—your job is to relax and leave looking amazing. Our job is everything else.