This happened to me, I asked for a pay rise and only got $40 extra. It wasn't worth it for me, it's been a year and the owner still texts me asking if I wanted to come back. I was an apprentice and was known to have attention to detail and did what my clients asked, i had a huge clientele and they all came in to see me weekly for their blow waves.
She paid me that extra $40 after I asked for a pay rise because I opened and closed the shop every day. Although I might of been earning that extra 40 but she only paid me from 9-5 and 9-9 when I was really working from 7-7 and 7-10 on the late nights..
I think most employers take advantage of the apprentices and it's pretty normal to get minimum wage and only get paid for 38 hours as an apprentice but you have been there for 7 years and have a huge clientele, you have the potential to have your own successful set up. Why settle for second best? This is a big lesson I learnt... You can earn x2 more by being self employed!
Being employed DOES hold you back!
I never liked the idea of helping someone else build their dreams because I have my OWN dreams that I want to chase & follow.
Use your talent to build your dreams. It won't be easy but I think it will definitely worth it. You will look back and see how far you went, so to me, it was worth it.
The only thing I lost was I would have completed my apprenticeship by now and would have been a qualified hairdresser, but since then I qualified in beauty, tried a few courses, learnt what I enjoyed and what I don't enjoy, I've almost got my eyelash line finished so that's a new venture. I'm also finishing off my hairdressing qualification in February, I'm setting up a home salon some time this year, I've got heaps of plans for my business.
I'm not completely there get but I am liking the way it's looking.
So don't be scared to leave if you want to, just work hard and make the life you want to have!
Ultimately, it will depend on your circumstances, do you pay rent? Have you got a partner to help you out? Do you have savings? These are a few questions you need to think about (not expecting you to answer them!)
You could start building your business while you're employed and think about what you need to do to have it kick off (obviously don't advertise).
If being self employed isn't an option for you then if I was for you I would definitely kindly ask for a pay rise since she cannot afford to lose you! But I'm afraid I don't know your employer so I can't really judge, but usually it's just a small fraction extra. (Which isn't much help)
Hth xx
