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Business Starter Kit

The Barber & Hair Stylist
Business Starter Kit

Booth, chair, or shop — the business behind the clippers.

The complete business system for barbers and hair stylists — booth rental vs commission vs employee models, cosmetology board compliance, tip income reporting, and the client-book building system that lets you go independent.

Join the waitlist → Guide Only $19 · Complete Kit $49 · Pro Bundle $79

Choose Your Tier

Same field manual in every tier. More templates and tools as you go up.

Guide Only
$19
The 120-page field manual. Read it cover to cover before your next estimate.
  • 120-page PDF field manual (20 chapters)
  • Trade-specific pricing methodology
  • Business setup walkthrough
  • Growth and hiring chapters
  • Templates (Word/Excel)
  • Price book spreadsheet
  • Checklists
Get Guide Only — $19 →
Complete Kit Most Popular
$49
Manual + all templates. Everything you need to run jobs professionally.
  • 120-page PDF field manual (20 chapters)
  • 12 Word document templates
  • 7 Excel calculators
  • Flat-rate price book (trade-specific)
  • Phone intake, site assessment, QC checklists
Get Complete Kit — $49 →
Pro Bundle
$79
Complete Kit + trade-specific bonus materials and priority update access.
  • Everything in Complete Kit
  • Trade-specific bonus forms and scripts
  • Sales scripts (phone / text / on-site)
  • Client retention email scripts
  • Priority access to future updates
Get Pro Bundle — $79 →

The problem this solves

Every barber and stylist eventually faces the same three questions: booth rental, commission split, or open my own shop? Each model has different taxes, different contracts, and different math. This kit walks you through the state cosmetology board, the three business models, and the client-retention system that decides whether you stay full at the chair.

What's in the Price Book

Pre-priced jobs with markup logic you adjust to your market.

What makes this kit Barber-specific

Every kit has the same core — these are the pieces built only for barber contractors.

Booth Rental vs Commission vs Employee Math
Side-by-side breakdown of the three models — take-home pay, tax implications (1099 vs W-2), and which one fits your career stage.
State Cosmetology Board Playbook
Every state licenses barbers and stylists separately — school hours, apprentice paths, exam prep, and reciprocity for moving states.
Tip Income & IRS Form 4137
The tip reporting system the IRS actually expects — allocated tips, employer reporting, and how to stay audit-safe as a booth renter or employee.
Client Book Building System
The 12-touch retention system that fills your chair — rebooking scripts, birthday texts, referral incentive structure, and the social media portfolio that actually converts.

Free: The Tradesman's Toolbox App

Web app with Business calculators, job cost estimator, markup calculator, and more — no account needed. Use it alongside the kit or on its own.

Open Toolbox App →

Common questions

I'm a booth renter — do I need this?
Especially yes. Booth renters are self-employed — you owe self-employment tax, need your own insurance, and file 1099s. Chapters 3–6 are your compliance package.
Does this cover salon ownership?
Yes. Chapters 15–20 cover opening your own shop — lease negotiation, hiring stylists, and the booth-rental-vs-commission decision from the owner's side.
Is the pricing methodology for men's or women's hair?
Both. The price book covers cuts, color, chemical services, and add-ons for full-service shops. Adjust to your specialty.
What about mobile / house-call stylists?
Chapter 12 covers on-location work — travel time pricing, mobile insurance rider, and the client screening process.
Do I need cosmetology insurance separately?
Yes — most booth rentals require you to carry your own liability policy. Chapter 4 covers what to look for (chemical burns, scissor cuts, missed appointments are all covered under professional liability).

Refund Policy

Digital products are delivered instantly and can't be "returned." If the kit doesn't match what was described on this page, email [email protected] within 7 days and we'll make it right.

No refunds on change of mind after download. See Gumroad's buyer protection for payment disputes.

Need every trade?

Get every Business Starter Kit in one download — $99 for the complete bundle.

See the Complete Bundle — $99 →
Plumber · HVAC · Electrician · Roofer · Handyman · Painter — all Pro Bundles included

This kit is almost ready

The PDF, templates, and spreadsheets are built — Gumroad listing goes live within days. Drop your email and you'll get the launch link (plus 20% off the first week).

One email at launch, nothing else. Unsubscribe anytime.