Episode 76

HOW I BUILT MULTIPLE SALONS & WHAT I'VE LEARNED | KELLY GORSUCH | SERIAL ENTREPRENEUR + OWNER | HELL'S BOTTOM BARBERSHOPS + IMMORTAL BELOVED SALON

Tune in to hear Kelly Gorsuch, Owner of Hells Bottom Barbershops + Immortal Beloved Salon share his journey building multiple salons and what he learned along the way!

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

  • Went to school, apprenticed at a salon, went on the floor, started teaching for brands, and learned the salon business by being a salon manager.
  • Do not open a salon until you manage someone else's salon.
  • Becoming a salon owner was riddled with uncertainty and my partners fell apart at the last minute.
  • I rented a chair between salons while I was waiting to open mine and I hated chair rental due to not feeling inspired by those around me.
  • It took me 13 years to make more money as an owner than working behind the chair.
  • A salon is not a viable business unless the owner does not have to work there.
  • Keep your integrity by not sneaking around. Be forward w/ your owner if you are opening a salon.
  • I do not like the chair renting concept because I want a say in who I work next to.
  • Reverse engineer the career path you want to figure out the decisions you should make.
  • Profit margins in salons are around 10%!

MENTIONED IN TODAY’S EPISODE:

  • Follow Kelly Gorsuch on Instagram: www.instagram.com/kellygorsuch/
  • Follow Immortal Beloved: www.instagram.com/immortalbelovedsalon/
  • Follow Hell's Bottom Richmond, VA: www.instagram.com/barberofhellsbottomrva/
  • Follow Hell's Bottom Washington, DC: www.instagram.com/barberofhellsbottom/


We deliver curated resources, coaching, advice, and first-hand experience so you may become a well-rounded, self-sufficient, business-savvy, and strong individual, ready to transition or transform yourself and the industry. We won’t stop until we are all: Hairdresser Strong.

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Robert Hughes

“I THINK HAIRSTYLISTS ARE THE COOLEST, NICEST, AND MOST FUN GROUP OF PEOPLE ON THE PLANET! I AM PASSIONATE ABOUT USHERING IN AN EMPOWERED-STYLIST FUTURE, AND I ABSOLUTELY LOVE GETTING STYLISTS FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE TOGETHER IN A NON-COMPETITIVE ENVIRONMENT WHERE WE CAN LEARN, LAUGH, AND GROW TOGETHER.”
-Said by ME!
Robert started his hair journey as a kid in rural America offering haircuts on the street to kids in the neighborhood, not realizing, one day, he would find himself working the front desk at a hair salon while in high school. From there, his experience from salon-to-salon has included the front of the house, back of the house, stylist, educator, and consultant. It was during this movement through various salons he developed a passion to empower stylists and educate owners on how to raise the industry standard of excellence, mutual respect, and professionalism amongst stylists, managers, owners, and clients. Robert currently is the General Manager and a Master Stylist at Violet Salon in Georgetown, DC.