Salon and barber shop: pay commission fairly and stop no-shows
ShelfWise ·
Two things cause the most trouble in a salon or barber shop: arguments about commission at the end of the week, and customers who book and don't come. Both are fixed with good records, not more trust.
Choose a commission model
Most salons in Kenya use one of these. Whichever you pick, write it down and tell every stylist.
| Model | How it works | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Percentage per service | The stylist earns a set percentage of each service they do | Most salons and barbers |
| Different rate per person | Senior stylists earn a higher percentage than juniors | Teams with mixed experience |
| Chair rental | The stylist pays a fixed rent and keeps their takings | Experienced stylists with their own clients |
| Salary plus commission | A small fixed pay plus a lower percentage | Keeping staff during quiet months |
Record who did each service, at the time
Commission arguments come from memory and notebooks. Record the stylist on every sale as it happens. When two people work on one customer, say braiding and a wash, put each service against the right person.
Keep the rate as it was on the day
If you raise or lower someone's rate, past services should keep the old rate. Otherwise last month's commission changes and nobody trusts the numbers.
Pay from a report, not a notebook
At the end of the week or month, pay from a list of each person's services, sales and commission for that period. Share it with them. Disputes drop when everyone sees the same list.
Cut no-shows with deposits
- Let customers book online: choose the service, the stylist (or anyone free) and a time.
- Ask for a small deposit or booking fee by M-Pesa for long or popular services, like braids or weekend slots.
- Put phone and walk-in bookings in the same list, so two people aren't booked for one chair.
- Mark who didn't come, so you can see repeat no-shows.
Retail products count too
Shampoos, oils and treatments you sell over the counter are stock. Track them like a shop, so they don't disappear between the shelf and the wash basin.
Common questions
What is a normal commission for a stylist in Kenya?
It varies by salon, town and experience. Many salons pay a percentage of each service, with a higher rate for senior stylists. Pick a rate you can afford after rent, products and power, and keep it written down.
How do I stop customers from booking and not coming?
Ask for a small M-Pesa deposit when they book, especially for long services and busy times, and keep a record of who doesn't come.
Do my stylists need a phone or login?
Not with ShelfWise. Add them to your staff list and the cashier picks who served each customer.
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