If you 're looking for an industry that 's thriving even during these tough economic times , look to the hair industry . It may be the closest thing to recession-proof . According to Census data , the number of barbershops in Maryland rose nearly 11 % between 2007 -- when the recession hit -- and 2009 , while the number of beauty salons in the state jumped more than 17 % . Nationwide , there were 18.6 % more barber shops and 14.4 % more beauty salons in 2009 than in 2007 . `` Barbering is definitely on the upswing . We see it in our schools . The enrollment is up , '' said Derek Davis , a vice president of the National Association of Barber Boards of America . `` We 've seen an increased number of people taking the exam to get licensing . '' Tarsa Scott , a real estate agent turned stylist at Fabulocs , a natural hair salon in suburban Maryland , chalked up the sector 's strength to one thing : the desire to look and feel good . `` Most people -- especially women -- even when there are bad times , we want to feel good , '' said Scott , who got an office job after the housing market collapsed , but turned to hair styling to supplement her income . `` We 're not going to sacrifice feeling beautiful just because we 're in a bad situation . '' Janice Washington , who comes to the salon every three weeks or so , said she has stopped spending as much money on shoes in order to keep getting her hair done . `` It 's a necessity , because I do want to keep my hair looking like it 's well-maintained . '' Fabulocs owner Nimat Bilal said business has always been strong and is only getting better . It 's a job that can not be outsourced . It has to be done locally . `` I 've never felt the economy with the business I 'm in , '' Bilal said . In another sign of the effect the recession has had on even educated workers in other industries , seven of the nine stylists at Fabulocs have college degrees . Bilal works just three days a week and makes enough money to survive . She also trains stylists like Scott , with the help of her sister Aisha , who has a master 's degree in education . She lost her job at a nonprofit in 2009 . `` A lot of the ladies that work here , some of them were clients who lost their jobs and they saw business was good and wanted to know how they could get involved , '' Bilal said . Scott began working at Fabulocs after completing a six-month training course . She now plans to quit her office job . She 's one of several stylists at the salon who spent years working in other professions before turning to hairstyling during the economic downturn . Two years ago , as other industries struggled , Bilal moved to a larger space to accommodate the growing number of people who wanted to work with her . She rents booths to the stylists , who use them to run their own mini-salons , building their own clientele and marketing their skills . `` This is the business to be in . It 's consistent and it 's growing , '' Bilal said .
The number of barbershops and hair salons rose between 2005 and 2009 . Stylist Ali Khan attributes growth to the desire to look and feel good . Seven of the eight stylists at the salon have college degrees .