Updated October 21, 2026
Where paying customers actually come from
In the Netherlands paying clients most often appear through several overlapping routes rather than a single magic source. Neighbours and local residents are a common first group when you work from home or offer mobile visits. People at workplaces and their colleagues can become repeat clients if you cut or style during lunch breaks or after work. Students and parents at schools create demand around start-of-term and graduation times. Word of mouth remains powerful: satisfied clients will refer friends and family. Online search is increasingly important - people look for nearby stylists, specific services or last-minute availability.
Because the country is well-connected and mobile, you can pick up clients from nearby towns as well as your own village. Combining these channels - neighbours, workplaces, schools, word of mouth and online listings - tends to be the most reliable approach.
- Neighbours and local residents if you work locally or at home
- Workplaces and colleagues for convenient appointments
- Schools and student networks for younger clients
- Word of mouth and referrals from satisfied customers
- Online search and platform listings for visibility and bookings
How to set a first price and talk about money
Set your first price by thinking about your costs, time and the local marketplace. Include supplies, travel time if you go to clients, and the time spent on consultation, cutting and cleaning. Aim for a price you can comfortably explain when asked why it costs that amount. Keep the wording simple and factual when talking money: state the service, the duration and the price, and mention whether products are included.
When a client questions price, explain what they get for that price rather than apologising. Offer alternatives where possible - a quicker cut with fewer extras, or a more complete treatment. Decide in advance how you handle deposits, cancellations and refunds, and communicate that clearly when a client books.
- Calculate a price that covers your costs and time
- Describe service, duration and price clearly
- Have a simple deposit or cancellation policy ready
- Offer tiered options or add-ons rather than large discounts
What the first ten customers usually look like
Your first ten customers are often a mix of contacts and convenience bookings. Expect friends, family and neighbours to form the initial base. You may also get a few workplace bookings and one or two clients who found you online or via a local posting. These early clients tend to be forgiving about a minimal setup if the cut and communication are good.
Treat these first customers as source material. Ask permission to take before-and-after photos for your portfolio and request honest feedback. Word-of-mouth from this group is often the fastest path to a small regular book of clients.
- Friends, family and neighbours make up many early bookings
- A few workplace or student clients may appear quickly
- Early clients can provide photos and testimonials if asked
- Use these appointments to test timing and workflows
What to sort out when taking money as an independent in the Netherlands
If you take money as an independent in the Netherlands you should register and check tax rules. For registration and business status questions, contact the Kamer van Koophandel (KvK) and ask whether your activity needs a trade registration. For taxes, VAT, allowances and filing requirements, contact the Belastingdienst and ask how to declare income from hairdressing, whether you must charge VAT on services and which expenses are deductible. Health insurance and social security obligations for self-employed people are handled by different organisations; check with the Belastingdienst which contributions apply to you.
If you use card payments or a platform, make sure payouts go to your own bank account and keep clear records of receipts and expenses for bookkeeping. If you need specific legal or insurance advice - for example liability insurance if you work from home or visit clients - ask a qualified advisor or insurer what cover you need for hairdressing work.
- Ask KvK if you must register as a business for your activity
- Ask Belastingdienst how to report income and whether to charge VAT
- Keep clear records of payments and expenses
- Check with an insurer about liability cover for home or mobile work
What tends to go wrong in the first months
Common early problems include underpricing, unclear booking rules, and poor time estimates that lead to scheduling delays. Not recording income properly or misunderstanding tax obligations can create stress later. Another frequent issue is insufficient photos and unclear service descriptions, which make it hard for potential clients to judge your work. Cancellations and no-shows hurt when your schedule is tight, so having a stated cancellation policy and small deposit can reduce that risk.
Operational details also matter: running out of supplies mid-appointment, poor lighting for cutting and coloring, or lacking a clean, professional space can affect results and referrals. Plan for these basics before you accept many bookings.
- Underpricing and not accounting for costs
- No clear cancellation or deposit policy
- Poor photos or vague service descriptions
- Supply shortages, lighting or workspace problems
How a Websta profile fits into your work
A Websta profile gives you a page that looks like a small website with services, prices, photos, a contact form and online booking. You can send that page to potential clients or let people find you through the Websta marketplace, which lists providers by service and place. Card payments from customers are paid out to your own bank account through Stripe. You set your own prices on the profile.
Use the profile as a single public reference: keep service descriptions accurate, upload clear before-and-after photos, state your booking and cancellation terms, and make sure your contact details are correct. A single URL you can share makes it easier to accept bookings and manage communication without promising new clients or income.
- A single page to show services, prices, photos and booking
- Payments go to your bank account through Stripe
- You set your own prices and manage bookings
- Use the page link in messages, social posts and flyers
A short checklist to get started
Decide whether you will work from home, travel to clients or use a rented chair. Register or check registration requirements with KvK if needed. Contact Belastingdienst to confirm tax and VAT rules for your situation. Prepare basic terms for deposits, cancellations and refunds. Create clear service descriptions and take a set of before-and-after photos. Set an initial price that covers costs and time. Create a Websta profile to list services, prices and booking options and link it in your messages.
Start small, track your income and hours, and refine prices, supplies and your schedule based on real appointments. Expect learning and adjustment in the first months rather than immediate growth.
- Decide location and format of your service
- Check registration with KvK and taxes with Belastingdienst
- Set prices that cover costs and time
- Create clear service pages and upload photos to Websta
- Set simple booking, deposit and cancellation rules
Frequently asked questions
- Do I need to register with the KvK to do hairdressing work?
- Ask the Kamer van Koophandel (KvK) whether your planned activity requires trade registration. They can tell you if your situation counts as a business and which registration steps apply.
- How should I charge VAT or report taxes for hairdressing income?
- Contact the Belastingdienst to ask how to declare income from hairdressing, whether you must charge VAT on your services and which expenses you can deduct. Specific obligations depend on your overall income and business structure.
- Can I accept card payments through Websta?
- Websta pages accept card payments which are paid out to your own bank account through Stripe. Make sure your payout account details are correct and keep records for bookkeeping.
- Should I take deposits for bookings?
- A small deposit or a clear cancellation policy helps reduce no-shows and covers your time. Decide the rules in advance and communicate them when clients book.
- How quickly will I get clients if I list services online?
- There is no guaranteed timeline. Online listings increase visibility, but finding steady clients usually takes time and active promotion through contacts, local networks and good photos.
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
- How to find and choose a hairdresser in the Netherlands
- Setting up a hairdresser profile in the Netherlands on Websta
- How to make money as an accountant in the Netherlands on the side
- How to make money as artists and designers in the Netherlands
- How to earn money as a barber in the Netherlands - practical guide
- How to make money as a beauty specialist in the Netherlands