Dont know if it's ok to post this here, let me know if not.


Ok.. Everyone gets the blues... but now my blues aren't just baby blue..
they're navy


My business is doing well, considering. I mean... I only opened my 'door' so to speak last january (2005) "officially" (did bnails for friends, family before then, but didn't operate a real business)

I work from home. Been taking every penny 'when I can" and put it into advertising. Hubby has been working 6-7 days a week for a few years to A) enable me to stay home with kids, it was OUR choice, we both prefer it to daycare. B) to buy us a house (which we now have) but is a 'fixer upper'. Preferred the lower mortgage and figured we'd fix as we can afford it and that's how we've been doing it.
I started my business because A) needed money B) friends urged me to do so and C)cause I love doing nails... have done since I was 16yrs old (very very long time ago).

Ok, all that said...
When we moved here, I did what I could to help, despite being unemployed (in other words, used my line of credit to pay for the move and some painting and such) and hubby paid the downpayment.
A year later, we paid for my surgery and the babysitter that stayed with us for 2wks as I wouldn't be allowed to lift my 10mht old baby during that period.
Next thing added to my line of credit was my investment in my business.

NOW it's all starting to roll in nicely, could be busier and would be in a salon with walkin's BUT.. you take what you can get. Right?

Anyhow... bills are catching up and hubby says I don't "Need' to work, prefers I stay home BUT I see him struggling like mad, and always tired and I really want him to stop working 2nd job.

To add to it, we've been together 8yrs, and everytime we were ready to get married financially WHOOPS and "Oh S**T" consecutively, got preggers. I refuse to do 'shot-gun'.

So, now 8yrs later... and 35yrs old... will look like the mother of the bride before I ever am a bride..

it's getting me down.. and I know I need to work more, but hubby won't hear o fit. I figure if I take a small part time job on weekends or something?

My 'business' has allowed me to take over some of the bills, but not many as I'm paying back my line of credit.

I'm just so blue about it all.

Sorry for ranting, but... feeling in dumpersville today. Guess rain doesn't help.

Vicoria, theres a saying that you probably know, it goes
"Its always darkest before the dawn".
Your business is allowing you to pay some bills (Yey! well done you) and I wouldthink if you carry on putting yourself into it like you are, come next January, who knows! You'll likely be bringing home even more bacon.
Looking after the kids is rewarding in lots of ways, but there are times where you just feel kind of un-employed!
Just keep doing all you can to grow your business, your hubby sounds sweet, strong & patient enough to take it.
Big hugs Hunny xx

Hun, just wondering how the advertising is paying off for you? Are you seeing good results for what you're paying? I am a firm believer in word of mouth being the best form of advertising for our business. I'm sure you track your advertising, and you probably ask new clients how they heard about you (this I always do). Maybe you are getting your money's worth (and more) from it and if you are I say carry on. But if you're not, maybe you could evaluate where you're spending your hard earned cash, and use it to pay some more bills??

Or.....here's another thought. If you have never raised your prices maybe now's the time to do it? Only you will know if it's the right time or not, but if you have a loyal clientele they shouldn't begrudge you a raise. Even a small raise.

Anyway.....I hope you wake up tomorrow to some sunshine ... and a much better and brighter day is in store for you. I have been there. Sometimes you just have to see how far you've come, not how far you've yet to go.

Oh....and it's raining here too if that helps

Laura x

hope you feel betta soon hun , i think we can all feel like this from time to time go and get some CHOCOLATE lol xxxxxxx

Hey honey you know I know how you feel, I am sooooooooooo down about how slow I am right now. Last week was a kicker week, this week nothing, email me if you like, we can chat!

As far as expenses go I am almost paid off my business expenses, kept things on the low down and did a lot myself.

aj

Thanks ladies so much for comiserating. Along with rain and the blues.. the monthly showed up
Man, I sure get kicked hard when I'm down LOL

Ummm ok, for the advertising.
I'm not able to advertise every mth. I do it as I can. Which is probably about ummm 1000 to 5000 flyers every 3-4mths?
My girlfriend and mom print them for free at work (black and white sheets).
We have here what is called a "Publisac" that is distributed to our doors 2x a week with grocery store, department stores, electronics stores etc.... flyers in them.
I get my flyers added to those bags for roughly 47$ per 1000. The average seems to be for every 1000, I get 3 appointments out of it. Now, a lot of times, it's people taking advantage of specials and treating themselves. BUT.. it's a few bucks and at least my name's getting out. Several of these "one shot deal" kind of people send me referrals. So, at least I know they didn't go somewhere else, know what I mean?
Most have turned into repeats, and a small few decided that they liked the abuse of the NSS better (go figure )
So, usually, the advertising DOES pay for itself and I get some repeats out of it, and get ahead.

As for raising my prices. I did.. and ended up losing 3 regulars.. To some, that's not much. For me, it hurt a bit :-( They say they'll be back when the budget is better. 2 of them I know well.. and I know for a fact they haven't been elsewhere. so again, I know I"m doing ok 'performance' wise, know what I mean?
I'm at par with the NSS prices right now, with a select few of my services just a 'smidgeon' under their price (my specials)
YES YES I know everyone says dont compete with the NSS BUT in my teeny ridiculous town.. there are 4 NSS that are always packed, and a tiny handful of real techs. The salons with real techs seem to be consistently posting signs looking for new techs.. leading me to think.. 'real' techs are having a hard time competing at higher prices. And there aren't very many in this flea sized town, that's for sure.
PLUS hubby is still giving me grief WEEKLY that I raised prices a bit, now that I've improved my technique and speed some.

I guess I get about umm 1-2 new clients a month that become repeats..
or give me referrals.
So far my hours are Mon through Sun, 6 to 10pm. That's probably another reason I dont get as many as I could. ALSO, working from home unable to take walkins, and no sign..
Makes it tricky...

so it really is all word of mouth.. and my name IS getting out there.. slowly but surely.

I know I'm slowing making that uphill climb, and it's coming together, it's just taking so darn long. UGH


And yup... being a mom is the most important thing to me. But there are days I get sick of these four walls and talking 'toddler & preschool" language all day, know what I mean?
BLECH

lol

OK thanks millions for listening to me rant. Hubby sooooooooooooo doesn't get it... He gives me grief for a full set that takes 1.5hrs.. he's so clueless.. I try to tell him..errrrrr

ok, I'll shut up now LOL

Hey hun, sounds like you have it all figured out, actually the advertising sounds like it is worth it. And yes the referrals are the best way to get new business. Coupled with the hours you are available...yessss....it's difficult to grow business in those hours. But, it will come.

Re the places that are always advertising for new techs, why don't you go in and interview them? I have done this. Pretend I'm interested in the job but I'm really doing research. Find out why they have a hard time keeping techs. It may help you position yourself in your own business. Information is good !!

And last but not least....has the rain stopped there ? Or did I push it your way !!! (hope not). It is nice here today. Sunny and 21 I think. So you know it's coming your way eventually.

Have a better day today Victoria

Laura x

Thanks luv!

Yeah, that's a great idea about appying for the job as a cover for information!

Yup... still raining.

My rugrats have cabin-fever and I have rugrat-fever and sorely need to chase them outside to burn some energy before they burn up all of mine LOL

On the upside... my girlfriend was thinning out her garden and gave me a TONNE of Tigerlillies to plant in my front garden (which I only planted seeds for flowers since I couln't afford to buy any bulbs this year).
So, I've planted them, and it looks better, even if they haven't flowered yet. And then add the fresh rain, so they're probably settling in nicely.

There are still a tonne of bulbs leftover that she gave me.
So, those I'll plant in the median seperating my driveway and my neighbors.. and should look nice in a year or two.

Thanks again everyone for listening.

xoxxoxo

sometimes a good vent is the only thing needed to put things in perspective.

If I could get you some hostas.....mine need thinning out badly !!!

Anyway, hopefully tomorrow the sun comes out again for ya !

L xo

That's so funny you said that LOL

My best friend was talking to her sister in law who has hostas going CRAZY and she's supposed to give me some HAHA
I'll have a decent garden yet despite my sorry budget (hubby insists money goes into the house before the yard and I agree, but it sucks when everyone has a nice lawn and ours looks.. well... SAD lol)

so having a much better day today!

thanks a mill everyone

HUGS

oh hun so sad you feel like this keep your chin up and i hope things pick up for you, support is needed for you as your always helping myself and other geeks so keep smiling and things will get better ! x x take care x x

jules x