Lessons from Justin Charles, Owner of Salon Justin Charles
From the outside, owning a salon looks fun. The creative energy. The smiling clients. The cool vibe of the space. But ask any successful salon owner, and they’ll tell you—what happens behind the scenes is a different story.
Justin Charles, owner of Salon Justin Charles and BOGO Properties, knows this firsthand. What started as cutting hair for friends in high school evolved into a full-service salon in Western New York, a real estate portfolio, and a team he’s built with care and intention.
In this episode, Justin shared the challenges no one talks about—and the strategies that helped him build a salon business that works.
Here are the key lessons local entrepreneurs can learn:
1. You’re Not Just Building a Business—You’re Leading a Team
Running a salon isn’t just about cutting hair. It’s about creating an environment where your team thrives, clients feel valued, and everyone understands the bigger vision.
“Your people need to know what’s expected of them—and you need to hold the line.”
If you don’t lead, you’ll be stuck cleaning up messes, managing conflict, and resenting the business you built.
Reflection question for entrepreneurs:
Am I setting clear expectations for my team—or assuming they just ‘get it’?
2. Standards Are Non-Negotiable
Not every stylist will be a fit for your culture. Justin learned this the hard way—when he lowered standards, it created tension, hurt the client experience, and made the work environment stressful.
“You have to be willing to let people go if they’re not aligned with your vision.”
Your standards define your brand. Protect them.
Reflection question for entrepreneurs: Where in my business have I compromised standards—and is it hurting our long-term growth?
3. Your Schedule Will Own You If You Don’t Own It First
One of the hardest parts of salon ownership? Learning how to manage your time. Between clients, team management, and the unexpected issues that come up, it’s easy to let the business take over your life.
Justin’s advice: Set boundaries. Protect your time. Otherwise, the hustle will never stop.
Reflection question for entrepreneurs: Am I designing my business to support my life—or am I letting it control me?
4. Reputation is Everything in a People-Driven Business
Your salon’s brand isn’t just your logo or your Instagram feed—it’s how clients feel when they walk in, how they’re treated, and how your team carries your name outside of work.
“People don’t just come for the cut. They come for the experience. They want to know they’re in good hands.”
That level of trust takes years to build—and seconds to lose.
Reflection question for entrepreneurs: Are we focusing enough on delivering an experience, not just a service?
5. You Have to Let Go to Grow
For years, Justin did everything himself. Then he realized the only way to truly grow was to empower others, delegate, and trust his team.
It’s scary. It’s hard. But it’s necessary.
“You can’t do it all. The faster you realize that, the better off you’ll be.”
Reflection question for entrepreneurs: What’s one responsibility I need to delegate so I can focus on growth?
Final Thoughts:
Owning a salon—or any service-based business—is harder than it looks. It takes leadership, clear standards, and the courage to make tough decisions. But if you’re willing to learn, lead, and let go of control, you can build something that not only succeeds—but thrives.
Your challenge this week: Take one idea from Justin’s story and put it into action. Your business—and your life—will thank you for it.
