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Let’s kick this off with a fresh look at something personal – and maybe familiar if you’ve followed me for a while.
This was one of the first pieces I ever wrote for The Solo Stylist. It still feels like the right place to restart from because it’s the definition of a freelance hairdresser? It’s not a job title. It’s a way of life.
I guess I should start with what I actually am…
How would you describe yourself in this industry? Chances are you’re a hairdresser of some description ( or at least that’s what you’ve been told).
But do you have a description?
Do you work for someone? Do you work for yourself? Wage? Salary? Entitlements?
I’m what I’d call a freelance hairdresser. I work for myself. I do the jobs I want to do at the times I want to do them. I work my own hours and look after myself financially. I have a dedicated studio for creative work and service clients only during the times they know I’m available. I travel the world doing hair and I educate other hairdressers too.
I do everything by the book. I declare income, pay tax and super. I take holidays. And most importantly… I balance my personal time.
If you’ve ever read my bio, I broke it down to a very brief line:
“I listen to records, drink coffee and do a few things with hair.”
Sure, I could polish that up with fancier words, but that’s honestly how I work now. I’ve embraced the freelance life I built for myself. I work for fun.
So what makes me a freelance hairdresser?
I only do the clients I want to do. I liken it to the bounty hunters of Star Wars — rebels doing services for a fee. Sometimes it’s for the biggest bounty. Sometimes, the thrill.
Personally, I align with IG-88 more than Boba Fett or Bossk. The logic of a droid has always appealed to me: cut out the emotion, focus on the task. The task? Find the job that pays well, fits my goals, and repeat.
As a freelance hairdresser, I can:
Contract to a salon
Do mobile services
Work on fashion shows, editorials, film and TV
Educate for brands and companies
Or do none of that and still succeed
The possibilities are endless.
Why do I freelance?
Time. I control my own.
I’m not capped by annual leave or personal days. Every cent I earn is mine. Sure, there are costs — but planning those costs is part of running a personal business.
I also control the environment: temperature, music, hours, vibe — all mine.
And then there’s family. I have kids. Their time is important. Freelancing lets me pick them up, take holidays with them, be there when they need me. That flexibility is priceless.
Should you freelance?
There’s no one right way to work.
Freelancing isn’t for everyone. Security matters to some people. But for me? It changed how I see life — and reminded me to prioritise what actually matters.
It gave me the freedom to do what I want, when I want.
And to me, that’s worth more than anything anyone could offer me right now.
🔑 Key Points:
There is a way to take control of your time and finances.
Control your work-life balance before it controls you.
Ask yourself: “Am I achieving my life goals working this way?”
P.S. Not sure if freelancing is right for you?
Download the free “Are You Ready to Freelance?” Checklist and find out where you stand.