How to make money as a hairdresser in Latvia - practical guide

If you are skilled at hairdressing and live in Latvia, you can start earning on the side or build a client list to work independently. This guide explains where paying customers actually come from, how to set a first price and talk about money, what the first ten customers usually look like, what to check about taking payments and reporting income, common early mistakes, and how a Websta profile fits into everyday work.

Updated October 21, 2026

Where paying customers come from

In Latvia paying customers for hair work usually appear through everyday local networks before they appear through broad advertising. Think of neighbours, friends and family, colleagues at your workplace, parents and staff at local schools, and people you meet through community groups.

Local groups on social networks and messaging apps are common ways people look for a reliable person nearby. Word of mouth and repeat customers matter: one steady client can bring referrals from their circle. People also search online when they need a haircut, colouring or a correction quickly, and they use marketplaces to post tasks and request offers.

If you work near a commuting route or in a small town, many customers come from people who can get to you easily - convenience matters. In larger towns and across the country, online search and marketplace listings widen who can find you.

  • - neighbours and friends
  • - workplace colleagues
  • - parents and school staff
  • - local social media groups
  • - online search and marketplace tasks

How to set a first price and talk about money

Set your first price to cover your costs and the time you spend, and to reflect the quality and experience you offer. Costs include supplies, transport, any rent for a workspace, cleaning time and the time you spend before and after the appointment. Avoid starting by guessing numbers; list your costs and set a time-based hourly target instead.

When you discuss price with a client, be clear and direct. Tell them what is included - shampoo, styling, root touch-up, aftercare advice - and what would be extra. Confirm the price before you start work and repeat it when you book the appointment.

Consider simple rules for changes and cancellations: a deposit, a full price due after the service, or a short cancellation window. Make those conditions visible on any page or message you send clients so there are no surprises.

  • - calculate materials and time before choosing a price
  • - state what is included and what is extra
  • - confirm price at booking and again on arrival
  • - set and communicate cancellation or deposit rules

What the first ten customers usually look like

The first ten paying customers are rarely random people from a wide advertising campaign. Expect most to be people who already trust you: family, friends, neighbours and colleagues. They offer a chance to practise service, timing and pricing without the pressure of attracting strangers.

You will also get customers from local groups and from people who saw your photos or a short listing. Early customers tend to book simple, well-defined services rather than complex makeovers. Use these appointments to refine how long tasks actually take and to take good photos for future listings.

Treat these early bookings as test runs: ask for honest feedback, confirm how long the appointment took, and note what supplies were used. That information helps set realistic prices and schedules for later customers.

  • - mostly family, friends and neighbours at first
  • - some local group or online marketplace finds
  • - early jobs are usually simple services
  • - use feedback to adjust timing and pricing

What to sort out when taking money as an independent person in Latvia

If you take payments as an independent person in Latvia, you must report income and pay the relevant taxes and social contributions. For exact obligations, contact the State Revenue Service - Valsts ieņēmumu dienests (VID) and ask how to register as a self-employed person, how to report income from services, and what invoicing or cash register rules apply to your activity.

Also check with the State Social Insurance Agency - VSAA about social insurance contributions you must make as a self-employed person. Ask whether your activity requires other local permissions or notification to your municipality, and check with the State Labour Inspectorate for any workplace-related safety requirements.

On payments: card payments can be accepted and are paid out to your own bank account through Stripe. You set your own prices. Make sure to keep clear records of card receipts, refunds and any disputes, and reconcile those records with the amounts you report to VID.

  • - ask VID how to register and report service income
  • - ask VSAA about social insurance for self-employed
  • - check local municipality and Valsts darba inspekcija for premises and safety questions
  • - keep clear records of Stripe payouts and client receipts

What tends to go wrong in the first months

Common early problems include underpricing, not estimating time correctly, overbooking, unclear payment terms, and poor photos that do not show your work. Underpricing makes it hard to cover costs; overbooking stresses you and raises the chance of cancellations.

Not tracking expenses and income creates trouble when taxes are due. Another common issue is inconsistent customer communication - late replies and unclear directions to your place frustrate clients. Finally, not handling refunds and disputes in writing causes misunderstandings.

Avoid these by keeping a simple booking calendar, confirming times and prices with clients in writing, photographing your work consistently, and recording every sale and expense from day one.

  • - underpricing and underestimating time
  • - overbooking and last-minute cancellations
  • - weak or few photos of your work
  • - poor bookkeeping from the start

How a Websta profile fits into this work

A Websta profile functions like a simple website for a local service provider: you can list services, prices, photos, a contact form and online booking. It also sits in a marketplace where people nearby search by service and place or post a task for providers to offer on.

Use the profile as a single page to send to anyone who asks for your services. The profile can show your services and prices and let customers book online. Card payments from customers are paid out to your own bank account through Stripe, and you set your own prices.

A profile does not replace legal registration or tax reporting. It is a tool to be found and to make booking and card payment easier. If you discover a profile that was created from public data, check its details and claim or remove it if necessary.

  • - a sharable page with services, photos and booking
  • - appears in a marketplace where people search or post tasks
  • - card payments go to your bank via Stripe; you set prices
  • - use it alongside proper registration and records

Practical next steps

Start by listing services you offer and the true time they take. Do a small run of bookings with people you know to test timing, supplies and pricing. Open a basic record-keeping file and save every receipt and payout.

Contact VID and VSAA to confirm registration and reporting steps that apply to your situation, and check with your municipality or Valsts darba inspekcija if you plan to work from a fixed premises. Create a Websta profile with clear service descriptions and photos, and use it as the place you send clients to book and pay.

Earning as a hairdresser in Latvia is practical but it takes steady work: service quality, clear communication, disciplined record-keeping and time to build a local reputation.

  • - test services with known clients and note timing
  • - contact VID and VSAA about registration and contributions
  • - set up simple bookkeeping from day one
  • - create and use a Websta profile for bookings and payments

Frequently asked questions

Do I have to register with VAT right away in Latvia?
VAT registration depends on turnover and the type of services. Ask the State Revenue Service - VID whether your expected turnover requires VAT registration and what records you must keep.
Can I accept card payments from clients as an individual?
Yes. Card payments can be accepted and are paid out to your own bank account through Stripe. Keep records of those payments and report the income to VID.
What should I ask VID and VSAA when I start?
With VID ask how to register as self-employed, what invoices or cash register rules apply, and how to report service income. With VSAA ask about required social insurance contributions for self-employed people.
How quickly will I get regular clients?
There is no fixed timeline. Early clients are typically people who already trust you - family, friends, neighbours and colleagues. Building a steady list takes consistent service, clear communication and time.

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.

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