Updated October 21, 2026
Where paying customers come from
In Denmark most early paying customers are people who already know you or who are nearby. That includes neighbours, friends and family, colleagues from work, parents from local schools and daycares, and people you meet through hobby groups. Word of mouth is powerful in smaller communities; a careful cut or good colour can lead to steady local referrals.
After that local visibility grows through online search, social media posts and local marketplaces. People looking for a stylist will search by service and place, and many will pick someone who shows clear services and prices online. You can also pick up customers by offering evening or weekend slots that fit people who work standard hours.
- Neighbours, friends and family
- Colleagues and workplace networks
- Parents at schools or local clubs
- Online search and social media
- Local marketplace postings and task boards
How to set a first price and talk about money
Start by calculating your direct costs - supplies, travel, and the time you spend - and add the hourly value you want for your skill. Look at the simple prices competitors advertise locally online to get a sense of the market, then set a clear service list with a single price for each service. Be transparent when you give a quote and make clear what is included.
When you talk about money, be direct and polite. State the price before you start work or in a booking confirmation. If you require a deposit, say so and explain when it is refundable. Include your cancellation policy in writing. Clear terms reduce awkwardness and help customers take you seriously.
- List services and single prices so customers know what to expect
- Explain additions up front - extra length, bleaching, travel
- Use a short cancellation and deposit policy
What your first ten customers usually look like
The first ten paying clients are typically a mix of acquaintances and people who found you through someone they know. Expect friends and family to make up a noticeable share. You will also get a few neighbours and local contacts from your social circles. A small number may come through online posts or from being listed in a local marketplace.
These early clients are valuable for feedback. Ask them for honest comments and for permission to use photos of the results. Early repeat bookings are often more important than many one-off clients: they show you can deliver consistent work and make scheduling easier.
- Many early clients know you personally
- Some will be neighbours or colleagues
- A few will be new clients from online listings or referrals
- Use early bookings to get feedback and photos
What to sort out when taking money as an independent in Denmark
Before you take money for work, check registration and tax rules with the right authorities. Contact Skattestyrelsen (the Danish Tax Agency) to ask how to declare self-employment income, whether to update your forskudsopgørelse and how to handle preliminary tax. Ask specifically about how to report income from hairdressing and whether you need to register for VAT - moms.
Check with Erhvervsstyrelsen or virk.dk about whether you need a CVR registration or which business form suits you. For insurance questions - for example professional liability or public liability - talk to an insurance broker or your insurer and explain you offer haircuts or colour work to paying customers. If you are employed elsewhere, read your employment contract and ask your employer whether secondary work is allowed or requires notification.
- Ask Skattestyrelsen how to report self-employed income and about VAT
- Ask Erhvervsstyrelsen or use virk.dk about CVR and business form
- Speak to an insurer about professional and public liability cover
- Check your employment contract if you are also employed
What tends to go wrong in the first months
Common early mistakes are underpricing, not tracking income and expenses, and poor scheduling. Underpricing makes the business unsustainable once you include supplies, tax and time for admin. Failing to keep records makes tax reporting stressful. Overbooking or accepting last-minute requests without clear terms causes cancellations and lost earnings.
Other issues are unclear cancellation policies, not having a reliable payment method ready, and neglecting basic hygiene and safety procedures which can cause complaints or liability issues. Plan for simple administrative routines: receipts, appointment confirmations and a record of materials used.
- Underpricing and not counting all costs
- No clear cancellation or deposit policy
- Poor record keeping for income and expenses
- Inconsistent quality or lack of professional insurance
How a Websta profile fits into this
A Websta profile gives you a single page that looks like a simple website where you list services, prices, photos, a contact form and online booking. You can send that page link to anyone and it can also be found by people searching for services and place on the marketplace. Card payments from customers are paid out to the provider's own bank account through Stripe; the provider sets the prices.
Use the profile to make your terms visible - clear service descriptions, price list and cancellation policy - and to show photos of your work. Online booking helps customers pick times that suit them, reducing back-and-forth messages. Treat the profile as your public business card and update it when your services or hours change.
- Page acts as a shareable website with services and booking
- Payments processed through Stripe to your bank account
- You control the prices and the service descriptions
- Useful for being found by local customers and for sending a clear offer
A short practical checklist
Make an initial price list and write a short cancellation policy. Tell a first circle of contacts and ask for bookings. Register or check registration needs with Skattestyrelsen and Erhvervsstyrelsen. Get basic insurance advice and set up simple records for income and expenses. Create a Websta profile with clear services, photos and online booking and link it in messages and social posts.
Earning as an independent hairdresser in Denmark is practical but gradual. Focus on steady work, clear communication about money, and basic administrative hygiene to avoid common pitfalls.
- Price list, cancellation policy and simple bookkeeping
- Contact Skattestyrelsen and Erhvervsstyrelsen with specific questions
- Set up a Websta profile and accept card payments via Stripe
- Ask early clients for feedback and photos
Frequently asked questions
- Do I need to register a business to do hairdressing on the side?
- It depends on your turnover and how you work. Ask Skattestyrelsen how to report the income and ask Erhvervsstyrelsen or use virk.dk about whether you need a CVR registration or a particular business form.
- How should I handle VAT - moms - on hairdressing services?
- Ask Skattestyrelsen whether your services are subject to VAT and whether you must register for moms. They can tell you the rules that apply to your exact situation.
- Can I take card payments from customers directly?
- Yes. Websta supports card payments that are paid out to the provider's own bank account through Stripe, and you set your own prices. Make sure you record those payments for tax purposes.
- Should I insure myself before taking paying clients?
- It is sensible to check professional liability and public liability insurance with an insurer or broker before you start. Explain the services you offer so they can advise on appropriate cover.
- How do I find the first customers quickly?
- Start with people you already know - friends, family, neighbours and colleagues - and ask them to spread the word. Use a clear online page or profile with services, prices and booking to make it easy for new clients to book.
About the numbers
Counts in this guide were read from the Websta catalogue when the text was written and are refreshed above from the live catalogue. Part of the catalogue was built from the public business register and is marked as such on each profile.