Articles > News > 911: A New Law Could Prevent Chair-Sharing? Here’s What to Know

911: A New Law Could Prevent Chair-Sharing? Here’s What to Know

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Why Restricting Chair Sharing in Salons is Bad for Business & Hairdressers

Proposed regulations in South Dakota are causing concern among hairdressers and salon owners, as they aim to prevent multiple stylists from sharing the same chair in salon suites. Under these potential rules, if a stylist rents or uses a chair, no other stylist would be allowed to use that space—even on different days.
 
While regulators may argue that such policies improve sanitation and compliance, these restrictions could have devastating effects on independent hairdressers and those just starting their careers. South Dakota, being a largely rural state, presents unique challenges for hairdressers who want to work in professional environments while serving smaller communities.
 
In many small towns, there are only a handful of stylists, making chair-sharing an essential part of staying in business. By enforcing these restrictions, hairdressers may be forced to shut down their professional spaces and resort to working from their homes, which could undermine the quality and legitimacy of their businesses.
 
The beauty industry thrives on flexibility and affordability and such regulations could put many stylists out of business while limiting opportunities for new professionals. Ahead are all of the implications independent stylists could face.
 

1. Increased Financial Strain on Hairdressers

Many independent stylists rely on chair-sharing arrangements to manage their expenses, especially in less populated areas where client volume may be lower. Sharing a chair allows them to split rental costs, helping them afford a professional space without financial strain.

 

Here are the cons of banning chair-sharing:

  • Higher Costs: If stylists are forced to rent their own chair full-time, it could make salon spaces unaffordable for those with smaller client lists.
  • Limited Flexibility: Many stylists work part-time or have fluctuating schedules, making it impractical to pay for a chair they don’t use every day.
  • Risk of Closing Businesses: In small towns, where a limited number of hairdressers share a single salon space, these regulations could force them to close entirely. If these regulations are enacted, many stylists may struggle to afford salon suite rentals, forcing them to leave the profession or move their businesses into their homes, reducing their professionalism and visibility.

 

2. Loss of Opportunities for New Stylists

For young hairdressers just starting their careers, chair-sharing is a crucial stepping stone. It allows them to…

  • Build Their Client Base Gradually: Many new stylists start with a small number of clients and need time to establish themselves without the burden of high fixed costs.
  • Supplement Their Income: New stylists often work part-time while growing their business and chair-sharing gives them the flexibility to do so.
  • Work in a Professional Setting: In rural areas, where salon spaces are limited, chair-sharing allows new stylists to work in an established salon rather than setting up an expensive and isolated home-based operation. With these new regulations, aspiring stylists may find it nearly impossible to enter the industry due to the high costs of full-time chair rentals.
 

3. Reduced Salon Flexibility and Efficiency

Chair-sharing allows salons to maximize their space and profitability. Many salon suite businesses offer flexible rental agreements, enabling multiple stylists to work in the same chair on different days—creating an efficient and profitable model. In smaller South Dakota communities, this flexibility is especially critical.

 

If chair-sharing is prohibited, here’s how salon flexibility and efficiency will be altered:

  • Salons Could Lose Revenue: Empty chairs mean lost income for salon owners who depend on steady rental revenue.
  • Clients May Have Fewer Options: With fewer stylists available in shared spaces, clients might face longer wait times or higher service costs.
  • Fewer Beauty Services in Rural Areas: With limited salon space, fewer stylists could afford to operate, leading to reduced access to beauty services in small communities. Rigid regulations would ultimately force salons to downsize or close entirely, further limiting access to professional beauty services in rural areas.

 

Do you think hairstylists should be able to share chairs? Join the conversation with BTC Founder and Creative Director, Mary Rector (@marybehindthechair) on Instagram here!

 

via @marybehindthechair and @behindthechair_com on Instagram
 

4. Unnecessary Financial Pressure on the Industry

The salon industry is still recovering from recent economic downturns and the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Implementing restrictive regulations that prevent chair-sharing could place additional financial burdens on an industry that relies on affordability and flexibility leading to…

 

  • Higher Service Costs for Clients: Stylists facing higher chair rental costs may need to increase their prices, driving clients away.
  • More Salons Closing: Salon owners who depend on rental income from multiple stylists could struggle to stay afloat.
  • Limited Professional Spaces in Rural Towns: In small towns where beauty businesses are already scarce, these regulations could force hairdressers to operate from their homes, reducing their credibility and accessibility. The independent salon model has become increasingly popular, and these new rules threaten to dismantle it entirely.
 
 

5. The Impact on Independent Stylists

The beauty industry has seen a major shift towards independent stylists renting salon suites to gain autonomy over their schedules and earnings. These entrepreneurs thrive on flexibility and chair-sharing plays a significant role in helping them succeed.
 
 

Restricting chair-sharing will:

 

  • Forces stylists into rigid, costly setups that may not align with their business goals.
  • Limits their ability to scale their business gradually.
  • Discourages entrepreneurship in the industry, making it harder for stylists to take control of their careers.
  • Particularly hurts rural stylists who depend on flexible arrangements to stay in business and serve their communities. By implementing these regulations, policymakers risk stifling the creativity and independence that make the beauty industry unique.

 

6. Here’s How to Make Your Voice Heard:

If you’re a hairdresser, salon owner or supporter of the beauty industry, now is the time to take action and share your concerns about these proposed regulations. Contact the South Dakota Cosmetology Commission and express how these changes could impact your business and the future of the industry.
 
Here’s the contact information:
 
  • Tyler Evins, Program Director South Dakota Cosmetology Commission
  • Email: cosmetology@state.sd.us
  • Phone: 605-773-6193

 

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