bex+Co. Barton Hills

bex+Co. began in 2015, when Bex Irvine, a hairstylist, opened its first salon in Austin. Irvine had worked as a stylist in New York, in commission salons and in suite salons before moving to Austin. According to the founder, two more salons opened in 2020, another in 2021, two in 2022 and a seventh in 2023. The business says it now has more than 100 independent stylists working on its floors.

Each stylist is a member with their own station, their own key and 24-hour access under the membership terms. Members set their own prices, availability and cancellation policy, keep their own clients and take their own bookings. They keep 100% of their service revenue and earn a 15% commission on retail product sales without buying inventory. Membership has no long-term contract to sign. The salon provides backbar, towels, capes and professional cleaning of the space.

For clients, there is no front desk. Each member has a page on the website with their bio and a booking link, and clients book directly with the stylist they choose. Nothing is charged through the website; clients pay their stylist directly. Stylist hours vary by appointment.

Members receive training in running a business, along with pricing and money coaching and marketing help. The Beauty Empire Blueprint course addresses pricing, marketing and finances for beauty professionals, and also takes in self-employed home purchases, funding a child's college education and opening a Roth IRA. According to the business, its goal is to give every stylist time, financial and personal freedom. It says a suite or commission arrangement could fit professionals who prefer to work independently or who are only entering the field. To join, prospective members submit an online application, which a person reads with no obligation attached. Founding rosters are forming in 13 cities, and people outside Austin can apply. Franchise information is available to those hoping to own a salon someday.

Independent stylists run their own businesses on a shared floor, keeping their own clients, prices and revenue, while the salon handles the space, supplies and business support.

A modern, clean-lined space with soft lighting, one open floor per location.