How to make money as a hairdresser in Romania - practical tips

Where paying customers come from

Most of the paying customers you will reach as a starting hairdresser come from nearby and from people already connected to you. Think neighbours, family and friends, colleagues at work, parents at local schools and kindergartens, and people you meet in your local shops or markets.

Online search and social apps matter too. People search by service and town, and they often contact a provider through Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp or local classifieds. Word of mouth is slow but steady - a good cut that fits someone’s life will bring another customer through recommendation.

• Neighbours and family
• Colleagues and workplaces
• Parents and local schools
• Local online search, social media and messaging apps
• Word of mouth and repeat customers

Setting your first price and talking about money

Set a first price to cover your materials and the time you spend, and to feel comfortable with the payment when a customer asks. A simple rule is to list what you charge for common services on a visible price list - cuts, styling, basic colouring and blow-dry.

When you talk money, be direct and polite. Give customers a clear price before you start. For work that may take longer than usual, offer a written estimate or tell them a price range. If a job needs extra products or time, mention the extra charge before you begin.

Consider asking for a small deposit or a non-refundable booking fee for new clients or for appointments that require buying materials. That reduces last-minute no-shows and makes your schedule more reliable.

• Show a clear price list for standard services
• Give written estimates for non-standard work
• Mention extra-product costs in advance
• Use deposits or booking fees for new or large jobs

What your first ten customers usually look like

The first ten customers are often people you already know or people they recommend. Expect a mix of family, neighbours, colleagues and friends of friends. You will also get some customers from social media contacts or local groups who want a low-risk booking.

Early customers test more than your scissors - they test your punctuality, hygiene and communication. If you deliver consistent results and are clear about the price and time, those first customers are the ones most likely to recommend you to others.

• Mostly acquaintances and local contacts
• A few social-media or classifieds leads
• High value on punctuality, cleanliness and communication

Formalities and taking money as an independent worker in Romania

Deciding how to operate legally is important. You can work as an individual (for occasional income), as a registered PFA, or register a company such as an SRL. For authoritative answers about registration, tax declarations, invoicing and social-health contributions, check with these institutions: ANAF - Agenția Națională de Administrare Fiscală, Registrul Comerțului, Casa Națională de Asigurări de Sănătate (CNAS) and Casa Națională de Pensii Publice (CNPP).

When you contact them, ask directly: what registration is needed for regular hairdressing income, which taxes and contributions apply, what reporting frequency and forms are required, whether you must issue invoices or receipts for services, and if there are specific rules for health and safety in salons. If you accept card payments, ask ANAF whether any specific invoicing format or record-keeping is required.

Keep records of appointments and payments from day one. Accepting both cash and card is normal. On Websta, card payments from customers are paid out to the provider's own bank account through Stripe, and the provider sets the prices. That means you receive funds directly into your bank account rather than through an intermediary account.

• Check registration options with ANAF and Registrul Comerțului
• Ask CNAS and CNPP about social and health contribution obligations
• Keep clear records and get confirmation about invoicing requirements
• Websta pays card receipts to your own bank account through Stripe

What tends to go wrong in the first months

Early issues are predictable. Underpricing and then feeling resentful about your time is common. Not having clear cancellation policies leads to wasted slots. Poor time estimates can cause back-to-back delays. Not tracking income and expenses makes tax time stressful.

Communication mistakes also cost work: unclear photos, vague descriptions of what a service includes, or no confirmation message after booking. And without basic safety and hygiene routines you risk losing customers fast.

• Underpricing and not charging for extra time or products
• No cancellation policy or booking confirmation
• Poor record-keeping for income and expenses
• Unclear service descriptions and inconsistent hygiene

How a Websta profile fits into this

A Websta profile becomes a single page you can send to anyone: it shows your services, prices, photos, contact form and online booking. It also appears in a marketplace where people nearby find providers by service and place - the marketplace path is /marketplace/hair and the category used is hairdressers, country Romania, countryCode RO.

Use the profile to reduce back-and-forth: list standard services, clear prices, photos of your real work, and booking rules such as deposits or cancellation terms. Because card payments are paid out to your own bank account through Stripe, you control where money lands and you set the prices. The profile does not guarantee clients, but it makes you easier to find and easier to book.

• One page to share with customers that lists services and prices
• Online booking to reduce scheduling messages
• Payments are paid out to your bank account through Stripe
• Appears in Websta marketplace under /marketplace/hair