Hair Stylist / Barber

THE GILDED LILY

Cutting Specialist / Precision Stylist

Full-Time | W2 Commission | Chicago, IL

42%+ Commission | Luxury Pricing | 4-Day Work Week | Six-Figure Club

At The Gilded Lily, your earning potential is directly tied to how hard you build, and we give you the tools, coaching, and pricing structure to build big. Commission starts at 42% and increases as you advance through our fully outlined career path, which means your growth here is structured, supported, and rewarded.

Our top performers have earned $70,000+ within 2-3 years, and multiple team members have qualified for our Six-Figure Club bonus ($1,000) consecutively. What you earn here is a direct reflection of your ownership, and we will coach you every step of the way.

If you are a precision-focused, growth-minded stylist with an established clientele who is ready for a new home in a luxury, education-forward environment, read on.

About The Gilded Lily

Our Mission: We build careers and transform how guests experience hair care through education, craft, and an elevated environment.

Our Vision: To build a team of six-figure stylists who lead with excellence and grow alongside the business.

The Gilded Lily is a high-performance, guest-experience-obsessed salon in Logan Square Chicago. We are a small, tight-knit team of W2 stylists who hold each other to high standards. Not because we have to, but because we want to. We believe deeply in the connection between personal growth and professional excellence.

Our core values drive everything we do

• Positivity: we lead with energy that elevates the room
• Teamwork: we win together and support each other's growth
• Guest Experience: every client interaction is intentional and elevated
• Education: we invest in continuous learning and skill development
• Trust & Honesty: we communicate with integrity and own our results

This is not a booth rental environment. We are a team. We coach each other, celebrate together, and hold one another accountable. If that excites you, you will thrive here. If that makes you uncomfortable, this role is not for you, and that is okay.

The Role

We are looking for a seasoned Cutting Specialist with 5+ years of experience and an existing clientele who is ready for a new opportunity. This is a precision-focused role with expertise in cuts for all lengths and all genders as the foundation. Color services are a welcome addition, but cutting is the core. We also value stylists who bring the full guest experience to life through retail, prebooking, and relationship-building. If the business side is new to you, that's okay. We coach for that. What we cannot coach is the drive to grow and the willingness to show up fully for your clients and your team.

One thing that sets our salon apart: our dedicated guest services team handles all bookings, guest communications, and appointment check-ins and check-outs. You show up, focus on your craft, and deliver an exceptional experience. We take care of the rest.

What You'll Do

• Deliver exceptional precision cuts for all lengths and all genders with consistency and technical excellence
• Bring your existing clientele and continue building a loyal guest base through outstanding service and relationship-building
• Actively prebook appointments and educate clients on retail products and services
• Track and own your performance metrics including utilization, retention, prebooking, and GARD
• Participate in team meetings, education opportunities, and ongoing coaching
• Contribute to a collaborative, high-performance team culture every single day
• Represent The Gilded Lily's values in every client interaction and team touchpoint

Performance Benchmarks

We are a data-driven salon. We track performance not to pressure you, but to coach you toward your highest earning potential. Once fully built, team members are expected to meet or exceed the following benchmarks:

• Prebooking Rate: 75%
• Utilization / Productivity: 75%
• Guest Average Retail Dollar (GARD): $15
• Guest Retention: 53%

These are not arbitrary targets. They are the benchmarks our top earners hit consistently, and we will coach you to get there.

Who You Are

We are more interested in your will than just your skill. Technical excellence matters, but we can refine technique. What we cannot teach is the right mindset. You are:

• A growth-minded professional who welcomes feedback and actively uses it
• Data-aware: you know your numbers and take ownership of improving them
• All-in on the team vision, not just your own book
• Punctual, reliable, and a person of your word
• Comfortable getting uncomfortable in order to grow
• Willing to take responsibility for your own performance with no blame and no excuses
• Someone who inspires ownership in the people around you

This role is NOT a fit if you

• Think your clients belong to you and not the salon
• Avoid feedback or shut down when challenged
• Are motivated solely by money with no investment in the bigger vision
• Prefer to work in isolation rather than as part of a high-performing team
• Struggle with accountability or tend to blame outside circumstances for your results

Requirements

• 5+ years of professional experience as a stylist, cutting specialist, or barber
• Expertise in precision cuts across all lengths and all genders (color services are a welcome addition)
• Existing clientele ready to transition to a new salon home
• Valid Illinois Cosmetology or Barber License
• Strong track record of client retention and relationship-building
• Passion for continuous education and professional development

Compensation & Benefits

• Commission starting at 42% and increasing as you advance through our fully outlined career path
• Earning potential is uncapped and tied directly to your performance and book growth
• Six-Figure Club bonus program: $1,000 gift of your choice
• 4-day work week on rotation with only 1 Saturday per month
• 5-day weekend every 4 weeks
• Paid Time Off (PTO) and Paid Sick Leave
• Retirement contributions
• Performance bonus structure
• Education opportunities and ongoing training
• Career coaching and a clear path for advancement

How to Apply

Please complete our online application including uploading your resume: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSel_xFvA6idW-vMRn2SGsRTqgSB_K754q7B_MrL_XVLbR0R9g/viewform

We review every application personally. No generic responses needed. Just be real with us.

Pay: From $50,000.00 per year

Benefits

• Opportunities for advancement
• Paid sick time
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan

Experience

• behind the chair: 5 years (Required)

License/Certification

• IL Barbering or Cosmetology License (Required)

Work Location: In person