That's good that you have a back up job, signage, and parking.

I think you will get some good info from the girl that was in there before, even if it is for intimate waxing.

Interested to know how it works out with a new baby, all the best to you and your family

Thanks, yes very nerve wracking times, jugglings lots, a family, business, normal work... i will have a good chat with her tomorrow see what she thinks x

WOW How soon are you planning on going back to work after your baby ? I take it this is your first ?

I rented a room and planned to go back full time after my baby had been born and as soon as he was here I knew I couldn't go back full time. As it was I went back p/t after 8 weeks and I hated it, I just couldn't get into work mode I wanted to be at home with my baby and the second id finished for the morning I would be out that door so fast id barely clean my room properly I was so desperate to get home.

The other problem I found was that as I was still breastfeeding it was a nightmare with feeds and expressing as I had to build up a supply for when I was out and would be fit to burst when I got home again !

I work from home now and really only do my regulars as I just can't commit to anything more, mainly as my baby still doesn't sleep through (6 months old) something id never considered when pregnant so due to the lack of sleep there is no way I could of continued working at the salon.

Sorry for going on if your already aware of all this its just that I wouldn't want you to commit to renting a room paying all that money out plus the cost of decorating then find it was just to difficult to go back to work so soon.

thats exactly one of my problems.... im concerned as at the moment im still in work mode but when this little dot pops out im wandering whether im still going to be able to commit myself 100%, i know that jan i am going back to teaching 1 day a week to start.

My partner is going to be a stay at home daddy, but just worried about starting the salon sooo soon, wish i could delay it slightly, my friend could run it for me over xmas and jan i think so i would get days off with the baby... yes breast feeding that lovely thing... going to see how that one goes..

hmmm lots to think about x

I've never known a 6 month contract, maybe find out if she plans to up the rent to 700 again after 6 months?

Im also in the essex area and pay about the same in rent so if its a nice salon then 550 sounds reasonable to me.

good luck!

Im not keen to pay more than 550 but also not keen to sign myself up for long time, however if she wants to up it then ill have to just be straight.

I am with Bombini on this, (it sounded like you might have already had a little one so I wasn't sure). There are alot of little things that can come up with a newborn, and, the big fact being that you might not want to leave the baby, even if it is for a few hours. Alot of women do it, some can't. Breastfeeding takes ALOT out of you, it's worth it because it's best for baby. It took me some time to adjust with sleep and such. I was lucky, my son is very healthy. Not all kids are.

I took a part time job a few months after my son was born, and it would just make me mental thinking about wanting to come home to see him, not to mention every time a baby would cry, the evidence of me being a nursing mother would show and my co-workers would laugh

All kidding aside, this is going to be a huge change, a pleasant one, the most meaningful one in your life. I wouldn't be making huge commitments at this time. I feel for you, because I am expecting my second, and want so much to start my own thing.

If it's meant to be, the room will be open later for you.

OK here's my 2p worth

£550 pcm sound reasonable to me.

A months rent as deposit is common practice and rent is payable in advance, so you'll need £1100 to get you started.

Please don't forget that rent is payable 52 weeks in the year, so you'll still have to find £550 each month even if you've taken a week off for Christmas or you take time off for you baby.

As for decoration... if the decoration is in good order, but you want to change it, then it should be you who foots the bill. If the decoration is in poor condition, then the salon owner should pay.

Now here's my advice, It's important that the salon owner realises that it's beneficial to the both of you if your business flourishes. It's no good her seeing you as just a lump sum of money every month. Your clients will bring work to her and vica versa and a busy looking salon will always encourage new customers. With this in mind, I'd try and see if she will let you start on a commission basis for 6 months (something like 20 to 25% if you provide all products), to give you some time to get established and then start the monthly rent after that.

HTH
jes

It may be worth including a 'get out' clause into the contract. 6 months does not seem long enough to guarantee rent. Maybe a 3 year contract at that rate with an option to leave after 12 months. A solicitor can easily write this in if your landlord is in agreement.

iv been chatting about this in length today, i have a good friend who is willing to get things off the ground for me, i also have lots of other options worker wise...to try out if im finding it all a little much.

Unfortunately i have to go back to work as i earn more than my partner, so i will have to sacrafice the staying at home bit to support our family, but i dont mind, the part where i have been questioning myself is can i commit to more than i already have going.

I do think this is a great opportunity to move my business in the right direction. The room needs a lick of paint as the last person didnt have an extractor on their tanning tent.
I am going to read through the contract when i get it. Its not 52week payable its only 12 months... so no having to pay extra for the awful 5 week months.

I dont think she'll be up for the commission option. I think it is what it is and i have got it reduced, i would have liked 500 but compromised at 550 from 700. Im going to have to really plug it being a new place at xmas and obviously jan is a difficult time for us all.
Because i have another job i would be looking to continue having someone to support me on poss 2 days a week, now commission with my present working hasnt worked great 50/50 so i think i would offer someone 40/60 with me obviously providing products. I think i will need to do that to start off as i dont know how busy it will intially be, then thinking of changing it over to an hourly rate... whats your thoughts?
Obviously it always pays to be there 100% of your time but my other job would support this business so it would be worth it.

hmmm