How to earn money as a hairdresser in Mons, Belgium

If you have hairdressing skills and live in Mons, you can take on paying customers there - whether alongside another job or as your main work. You will need to handle money as an independent person, set prices that work for your city, and find a way for people to book and pay you. This is practical work that takes time to build, not a quick way to earn, but it is possible.

Updated October 21, 2026

Where your customers in Mons will come from

Mons is a city of around 95,000 people, with enough demand for hairdressing services. Your customers will arrive through several routes, not all at once.

Word of mouth is how most hairdressers in smaller cities get their first clients. If you tell people you know - neighbours, friends, people at work or at the gym - that you cut and style hair, some will ask for a service. They will often ask where to find you or how to book. This is why having a way for people to contact you matters from the start.

Online search is the second source. People in Mons will type 'hairdresser near me' or 'hair salon Mons' into Google or a local service app. A profile page that shows up in search - with your services, prices and online booking - puts you in front of these people.

Workplace and personal networks matter too. If you work somewhere during the day, colleagues may become customers. Students, parents at schools, people at gyms and community spaces will also look for services locally.

Walk-in traffic is smaller in Mons than in larger cities. Most people will search or ask around first.

Setting your first prices in Mons

Your price must cover your time, materials, any travel or rent, and still leave you with money to keep. In Mons, the cost of living is moderate, so your prices do not need to match Brussels or Antwerp. You also need to compete with other hairdressers in the area.

Start by looking at what independent hairdressers near you charge. Visit a few salons or check online. In a city like Mons, prices for a basic cut often range from modest to moderate amounts - you will see the real range when you search locally.

Set a price that reflects your skill level and experience. If you are new to working as an independent person, you may start lower than an established salon, but not so low that you lose money or undervalue your work. Raise prices later as you build a customer base.

Talk about money openly with customers. When they ask for a service, tell them the price upfront. If you offer discounts or packages, decide those rules before your first customer arrives.

On a Websta profile, you set the prices yourself. Customers see them before they book, so there are no surprises.

Tax and legal steps for independent hairdressers in Belgium

Working as an independent hairdresser in Belgium means you must register as self-employed. You will need to contact the right authority to do this - in Belgium, this is usually your local town council or the regional economic affairs office. Do not skip this step.

You will pay income tax on what you earn. Belgium has a progressive tax system, so the amount you pay depends on your total income. If you earn a small amount alongside another job, your tax will be lower than if hairdressing is your only income.

You may also need to register for VAT (value added tax) if your turnover reaches a certain threshold. The exact threshold changes, so check with the Belgian tax authority (SPF Finances) or your accountant.

Keep records of your earnings and expenses from day one. Write down what you earn from each customer and what you spend on materials - scissors, dyes, shampoos and so on. You will need these numbers for your tax return.

If you take card payments, Websta uses Stripe to process them. The money goes directly to your own bank account. You will see the transaction and can record it for taxes.

What your first ten customers usually look like

Your first customers are often people you already know or people who saw your name through word of mouth. They tend to be forgiving because they know you are starting out. They may give you feedback and refer friends.

Some early customers will book through your profile online after finding you in search or on Websta. These are strangers, but they chose you because of what they saw - your services, prices and availability.

Early customers usually have simple needs: a cut, a trim, a colour, a style. Complex work comes later, as does repeat business. Most of your first ten will not become regular clients - some will, and that is where steady income builds.

Expect that not every booking will convert to a completed service. Some people book and cancel. Others will ask questions about price or process before deciding. This is normal and not a reflection of your skill.

A few early customers may ask for discounts or free work because you are new. You can offer a small discount once to build trust, but set a boundary - you are doing skilled work and deserve to be paid.

Common problems in the first months

Inconsistency in bookings is the biggest challenge. You may have two customers in one week and none the next. This makes it hard to plan your income and time. It takes months to build a steady flow.

Underpricing happens when you feel nervous about your rates or want to win customers quickly. Resist this. It leads to long hours for little money and is hard to raise later.

Handling payment and record-keeping takes more time than you expect. You need to track who paid you, when, and how much. Without good records, you will struggle at tax time.

Travel time and location matter. If you work from home, customers need a clean, safe space. If you travel to them, transport costs and time add up. Factor this into your pricing.

Managing customer expectations is crucial. Some people will ask for discounts, reschedule often, or expect extra services. Set clear rules from the start about cancellations, timing and what is included in each service.

How a Websta profile helps you earn in Mons

A Websta profile is your own page online. It shows your services, the prices you set, photos of your work, and a booking calendar. Customers find it through Websta's marketplace when they search for 'hairdresser' and their location in Mons, or through Google search.

The profile is a professional place to send people when they ask how to book you. Instead of texting back and forth, they see your availability, book a time, and pay through the form. This saves you time.

You keep your own bank account. When a customer pays, the money goes through Stripe to your account - you are not waiting for a platform to pay you out. You see the transaction right away and can record it for taxes.

The booking system reduces no-shows and confusion. Customers have to book a time slot and often provide their details upfront. You know who is coming and when.

A Websta profile also works as a second income source. While most of your early customers may come through word of mouth, the profile puts you in front of people searching online. Over time, this can become a steady source of bookings.

Next steps to start

Register as self-employed in Belgium. Do this before you take your first payment. Contact your local town council or the regional authority to understand the exact process.

Set your prices based on local rates, your skill level and your costs. Write them down and stick to them.

Create a Websta profile. Upload photos of hairdressing work, list your services and prices, and connect your bank account so payments go straight to you. The profile becomes a working page you can share with anyone.

Tell people around you that you are available. Give them your Websta link so they can book. Early customers often come this way.

Keep records from day one - every euro you earn and spend. This makes tax time much easier.

Frequently asked questions

How much can I earn as a hairdresser in Mons?
This depends on how many customers you get, what you charge, and how much time you work. Earnings build slowly in the first months. You cannot predict an amount in advance - it takes work and time to grow a client base.
Do I need to work from a salon or can I work from home?
You can work from home, but you need a clean, professional space for customers - good lighting, running water, and privacy. If you work from home, make sure it is legal in your living situation and meets safety standards. Some people rent a chair in an existing salon instead.
What do I need to register as self-employed in Belgium?
You must register with your local town council or the regional economic authority. You will need proof of identity and an address. The exact process differs by region, so contact your local authority first. An accountant can help if you are unsure.
How does payment work on a Websta profile?
Customers book and pay through your profile. The payment is processed by Stripe and goes directly to your bank account. You set the prices yourself and control when you work.
How long does it take to get regular customers?
This varies widely. Most hairdressers see steady bookings after several months of word-of-mouth referrals and online visibility. There is no fixed timeline - it depends on your location, prices, skill, and how much you promote yourself.

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.

Related guides

All guides