The last I read, the earliest we can hope for a vaccine is looking like the END of 2021–not the beginning or middle. For most people, those additional 6-12 months is a game-changer because it’s the difference between barely treading water and outright drowning. At this point, I can’t advise anyone to pursue salon ownership, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be planning. For a lot of owners who would otherwise have gone into business as soon as they came across the perfect building, this time is a blessing. It’s forcing them to stop and think through their strategy. The time they’re spending on planning will pay off in the long-run when they finally do get to open. So, these salon owners, who would have failed quickly or struggled unnecessarily precisely because they didn’t spend much time at all planning, will now reap the benefits of both their planning and of the post-COVID landscape (which will certainly have less competitors in it).

Don’t give up. Just consider yourself extremely fortunate for the timing. I have consulting clients who signed leases in the summer and fall and were preparing to open between January and March only to find they couldn’t due to shutdowns. Those business owners are now faced with the options of losing their whole investment or going into even more debt. Trust me when I say that I absolutely do not want anyone else to follow in their footsteps, ESPECIALLY not a new mom.

A few weeks ago, I wrote this post about what our new future looks like, as an industry. I would strongly recommend reading it, as this appears to be what’s happening now with regards to reopening. For instance, in New York, salons are last on the list to be reopened, as we are incapable of social distancing. I expect they will not be the only state to approach reopening in this way, and I’m certain that we’ll be the first among those required to close as infection numbers periodically rise in our areas over the next year or two.

Don’t give up on your dream, just reframe how you view the circumstances. I’m not an “everything happens for a reason” person, but there’s no denying that you were extremely fortunate to be at the phase you’re in. Use this time to sharpen your plan into the best version of itself. Absorb all of the education you can. Build a formidable savings so you can have an even stronger start. Then, when this is over, you’ll be ready to slip right into a space and take over your local market.

That’s fantastic! Thankfully, a lot of my consulting clients are also conserving their resources. Some are preparing to scale down, anticipating at least a year-long slump while we wait for a vaccine. The smartest thing a salon owner can do right now (if they hope to continue to provide jobs and build wealth) is take this time to think strategically about how they’re going to operate post-curve and how they’ll generate revenue during an extended social distancing period. For my salon, this means creating a system where we can serve our clients (the vast majority of whom are seniors) in other ways, like picking up prescriptions and groceries for them or delivering meals. Pride, ignorance, complacency, and a refusal to accept reality during this time will bankrupt people.

Hi! This is a fantastic question! I have answered it in a few other comments on several other posts, so I’ll copy/paste it here:

In rental agreements between commercial landlords and tenants, there’s usually a force majeure provision that addresses circumstances where unexpected events prevent a party from keeping up their end of the deal. The affected party (in this instance, the tenant) would be entitled to relief, including a suspension of contractual obligations (in this instance, rent payments). Since salon renters are subleasing space and rarely have written leases at all (let alone professionally written lease agreements that contain force majeure clauses), those circumstances likely won’t apply to us–but if everyone who wants to stay out of costly legal battles should be pretending they do and doing their utmost to find a mutually acceptable compromise while we navigate the pandemic.

It is legal–and unfortunately, necessary for the landlords to charge. I’m among those who want to believe landlords can afford to front us rent for a month or two, but I know that’s not the reality for most salon landlords or even commercial property landlords. I’m not sure how much relief they’re entitled to in this situation or whether the SBA loan options would help them, but there are no laws (that I’ve heard of) that make it illegal for them to charge rent in accordance with existing leases. In rental agreements between commercial landlords and tenants, there’s usually a force majeure provision that addresses circumstances where unexpected events prevent a party from keeping up their end of the deal. The affected party (in this instance, the tenant) would be entitled to relief, including a suspension of contractual obligations (in this instance, rent payments). Since salon renters are subleasing space and rarely have written leases at all (let alone professionally written lease agreements that contain force majeure clauses), those circumstances likely won’t apply to us–but everyone who wants to stay out of costly legal battles should be pretending they do and doing their utmost to find a mutually acceptable compromise while we navigate the pandemic. At best, the fallout on social media would be extremely damaging, should clients find out they were charging renters during a crisis.

We sent an email To our landlord the very next day after I read what you whet I say. I had sent your blog post to my business partners and I’m blessed to say, not only are they awesome but smart enough to listen when I say hey, read this. We informed them we would send some money in good faith for our lease payment as we wish to get through this with an open line of communication. Luckily, they were responsive and are working with us to get through this crazy time. Thank you for your amazing words of advice and brutal honesty. Some of us are listening! 🙏🏻

Hi Tina!
I love your articles they are so real, I swear you need a show! I’m an independent contractor in California. I can’t find ANY legal information in regards to whether it is legal for a salon owner to have boothrenters continue to pay rent for a space they cannot utilize.

Do you happen to know if this legal? I am on a contract signed years ago, but there are no details stating I have to continue to pay if the salon is forced to close temporarily. I’m sure no one ever plans for that to happen.

The landlord has also talked to the property manager, they aren’t budging on the rent.

Thanks for all you’re research and info. Advisement would be much appreciated.

This is a little off topic , but I can’t find anything concrete on If booth renters are supposed to be paying rent during the Mandated closure due to covid19? Does anyone know? I have lots of friends who’s salons aren’t charging them, yet mine is.

So, it’s my responsibility to speak the truth and be helpful, but only if that truth aligns with your definition of it?

If you had read that post (or any of the 700+ comments), you’d see that I didn’t invent these problems. I’m informing both employed and self-employed workers about their rights. Informing people isn’t “rhetoric.” If you think providing people with the material necessary to make an informed choice is wrong, I don’t see how you can square that with the stance that it’s my responsibility to be truthful and helpful.

I would also encourage you to look at the post dates. This article was not published the day you read it. While we do have options now that the CARES Act has been passed (which occurred two days after this article was published), it isn’t a magic bullet and it won’t be a great option for everyone. It is still a loan. It still has an interest rate that accrues after the first year. Misclassified independent contractors aren’t covered by the salon owner’s PPP, so they have to apply for their own loans. Forgiveness has conditions that some salon owners may not be able to guarantee. Grants may not be forgiven and expenses reported to the lender (under PPP) may not be approved for forgiveness. They aren’t just handing out money with no strings attached, and the regulations are still evolving. It’s not a magic bullet.

You have your perspective and I have mine. Mine is informed by both being a salon owner right now, supporting them and working professionals for the last decade, and consulting for them. I’m well aware my words hold weight, and I stand by them.