How to make money as a hairdresser in Greece: practical steps

Where paying customers come from

In Greece the first paying customers usually come from people you already know or meet locally. Neighbours, friends and family are the most common starting point because they trust your work and are willing to book a first appointment. Workplaces and colleagues can provide regular lunchtime or after-work bookings if your schedule fits.

Schools, university students and parents can be a steady source in towns with campuses or large schools. Events such as local festivals, markets or small community gatherings sometimes lead to walk-in customers or referrals. Online search and social media matter too: people search for services by town and by type of cut or treatment when they are planning a visit.

Word of mouth remains important in Greece. One good appointment often leads to another referral. Combining local in-person contacts with online visibility gives the best chance of reaching paying customers across the country.

• Neighbours and friends
• Workplaces and colleagues
• Schools and students
• Local events and markets
• Online search and social media
• Word of mouth and referrals

Setting your first price and talking about money

Set a first price by calculating your direct costs and the time you spend. Direct costs include products, disposables and travel. Add a sensible hourly value for your labour and allow for taxes and social contributions. If you are not sure how to calculate this, test a few prices and note bookings and feedback rather than guessing a number that feels right.

When you talk to customers, be clear and specific. Describe what is included - consultation, shampoo, styling - and what costs extra. For home visits say whether travel is included or charged separately. Ask for a deposit or full prepayment for new clients or for busy times to reduce no-shows. Use straightforward language: a clear price list reduces awkward conversations at the end of the appointment.

Consider offering a simple entry service or a trimmed menu at first so customers can understand value quickly. Avoid large introductory promises about earnings; instead track time and costs so you can adjust prices as you learn how long services actually take.

• Calculate costs: products, time and travel
• Be explicit about what the price covers
• Ask for deposits to reduce no-shows
• Start with a simple menu and adjust from data

What the first ten customers usually look like

The first ten paying customers tend to be a mix of friends, family, neighbours, and people from your existing social networks. You will likely get a few regulars from colleagues at work or from a local community group, and perhaps a student or two if you are near a school or university. Some will book because they want to support you rather than because they found you online.

Expect that not every early appointment turns into a repeat client. Early customers help you build a portfolio of photos, get feedback on timing and pricing, and give the word-of-mouth referrals that lead to customers you did not already know. Treat these first appointments as learning opportunities and ask for honest feedback on the service and price.

• Friends and family who want to help
• Neighbours and local residents
• Colleagues and workplace contacts
• Students or parents near schools
• Early online or social contacts

What to sort out when taking money as an independent in Greece

There are a few public authorities you should check with before you start taking ongoing payments. Contact AADE - the Independent Authority for Public Revenue - and ask how to register your activity, what type of tax registration you need, whether you must charge VAT, and what kind of receipts or invoices you must issue for services. Ask for specifics on issuing electronic or printed receipts.

Check social security with EFKA - the single social security fund - and ask how to register as self-employed, which contribution class applies to hairdressing, and how to pay contributions. Contact your local municipality to ask whether there are local rules for operating a service from home or for signage if you plan a small salon.

Keep straightforward records of income and expenses and consider a separate bank account for business transactions. If you accept card payments or online payments, record where the money is paid out to and keep a copy of the payout details. For any question you are not certain about, ask AADE or EFKA directly - they will confirm registration steps, reporting frequency and required documentation.

• Ask AADE about tax registration, VAT and receipts
• Ask EFKA about social security registration and contributions
• Check local municipality rules for home-based services
• Keep clear records and consider a separate bank account

What tends to go wrong in the first months

Early problems are usually operational rather than technical. Underestimating how long services take leads to late appointments and unhappy customers. Overbooking without a clear cancellation or deposit policy causes gaps and lost time. Another common issue is unclear pricing or what is included, which creates awkward money conversations at checkout.

Marketing mistakes include weak photos, unclear service descriptions, and relying only on one source of customers. Financial mistakes include not tracking costs, not separating personal and business money, and not registering with the right authorities early enough. Address these by setting realistic appointment lengths, a cancellation policy, clear price lists, basic photo documentation of your work, and a simple bookkeeping habit from day one.

• Underestimating time per appointment
• No cancellation or deposit policy
• Unclear service descriptions or prices
• Poor record-keeping and mixed finances

How a Websta profile fits into this

A Websta profile gives you a single page you can send to customers and that people can find when they search by service and place. The profile shows your services, prices, photos, contact form and online booking. It also connects to the marketplace where local people post tasks and providers make offers.

Card payments from customers are paid out to your own bank account through Stripe, and you set your own prices. Use the profile to publish clear service descriptions, upload good photos that show real results, and keep the booking calendar up to date. A consistent page reduces message length when someone asks what you charge and how to book.

• Single, shareable page with services and booking
• Photos and clear service descriptions help customers decide
• Online booking reduces back-and-forth
• Payments go to your bank account through Stripe