Stomach in knots about opening!

[HelenT59]

Helen I've been following your thread and it would seem such a shame to quit as you seem to be doing so well. It sounds like you have quite a few clients and your promotions seem to be successful. Have you thought about it the other way round? You are obviously passionate about beauty - is there any way you could reduce hours at your full time job and take on more hours at the salon? Maybe you could build it to a point where you could rent the place on your own so you don't need to share with the other girl? X

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Unfortunately I can't decrease my hrs in full time job, iv only recently started after changing jobs from a v.stressful post. If it's conflicts with my salon hrs I make up for it by opening extra hours on another day. I have to honour the groupon vouchers that have been purchased and they expire in July, so i will definitely stick to it until then but the other therapist is just giving me so much hassle that I really don't need that I don't know if il continue after July. It will give me a few months to see how it's goes regardless. Feels rotten tho

 

[HelenT59]

Went in this morning to find that my colleague had now put on further deals on groupon, each of a service I offer...she has also started to take bookings within the salon for cash, for a groupon offer I placed over a month ago ie saying yes it's not on groupon anymore with beautician A, but you can give me the money and il give u the service for the same price, even tho this was specifically my deal and has now ended. She has also started taking bookings again in the evening...two of today's were mine and had requested me! She took them anyway.
As I'm self employed and renting off a hairdressers below, do I have any legs to stand on in terms of speaking to those I rent from or not?

 

[virtues2011]

Went in this morning to find that my colleague had now put on further deals on groupon, each of a service I offer...she has also started to take bookings within the salon for cash, for a groupon offer I placed over a month ago ie saying yes it's not on groupon anymore with beautician A, but you can give me the money and il give u the service for the same price, even tho this was specifically my deal and has now ended. She has also started taking bookings again in the evening...two of today's were mine and had requested me! She took them anyway.
As I'm self employed and renting off a hairdressers below, do I have any legs to stand on in terms of speaking to those I rent from or not?

What would you say? 'Boo hoo she's taking my clients' ... She's doing what you should be. You're not assertive enough, she probably sees you don't say much and walks all over the situation. She's getting clients and you're losing yours, regardless whether you think your colleague is being underhanded she is making money and getting clients, yours or not. . You need to step it up or move on. The people you rent from I find very hard to believe would be at all interested in your woes. As long as they receive their rent they're happy. Forgive me if this sounds harsh but I can not flower it up. Business is just that. Hard.

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[Miss_NBC]

I agree with, Virtues. It's a dog eat dog world out there unfortunately. Guess you have two options-leave or step up your game. Rubbish situation to be in.

Act like a woman, think like a boss ;-)

 

[HelenT59]

What would you say? 'Boo hoo she's taking my clients' ... She's doing what you should be. You're not assertive enough, she probably sees you don't say much and walks all over the situation. She's getting clients and you're losing yours, regardless whether you think your colleague is being underhanded she is making money and getting clients, yours or not. . You need to step it up or move on. The people you rent from I find very hard to believe would be at all interested in your woes. As long as they receive their rent they're happy. Forgive me if this sounds harsh but I can not flower it up. Business is just that. Hard.

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Virtues I agree with you and to date I have stepped up! FYI she is actually the one who wanted to 'team work' as I was getting the customers in when she was busy but now she doesn't seem to mind lone working! She has no interest in working together, instead watched me succeed in my offers/approaches to ppl, waits to I leave the building then advertises the same deal, after telling me she wasn't interested! So what would u propose I do? She has actually challenged me on advertising myself, stating that it takes away from her
Her, yet feels it's okay to plug away at herself! I have confronted her several times now so I'm certainly not laying back and taking it. Iv worked my butt off for 5 yrs now trying just to get off the ground so I'm not going to let an inexperienced bully push me around! However there's only so much I can do if the other person can't b buggered listening!

 

[MamaG]

Whilst I agree with the above points, not everyone finds the 'dog eat dog' attitude easy to deal with. I know I don't. Maybe it comes naturally to some but we are all different. As well as pointing this out to the OP, maybe you could provide some insight on how to be more assertive in this situation?
Just my two pence worth but it's obvious the OP is having a hard time and feeling pretty down. She has come on here to ask for opinions and guidance. If she can take the opinions on the chin maybe you could provide some help also?

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[Miss_NBC]

MamaG, I acknowledged in my post it's a horrid situation to be in. I know some people find it hard the dog eat dog attitude, and that some people will so whatever they can to get to the top.

OP, what she is doing is sneaky and not nice. If you feel you are doing all you can, have you asked to meet her out of salon hours, sit down and have a frank discussion on how best it can work with both of you in the salon, and that you won't be tolerating it anymore?
She'll know what she is doing is morally wrong. I think people like that very quickly assess/judge someone about whether they could get away with doing stuff like she is doing. No doubt taken advantage of you and your good nature, and feels she can walk all over you.

If I was in your position and had already had a serious sit down chat with her, I would either try and suck it up and just fight and compete for clients constantly with her. Or look at other local salons. I know for me, I would pick the latter. It's not fair to move, but for your business and happiness I would feel this would be my best option.

 

[pinkbowsbeauty]

I feel for you, I really do. It seems to me that the other girl is doing anything she can to be in competition with you rather than trying to work with you.

Would it be worth speaking to whoever you rent the room from? If I had a problem with my house id speak to my landlord, surely its the same thing?

I'd go to the owner and not in a "boohoo" way as someone suggested, in a "ive tried everything to be fair but now need some intervention" kind of way. Its in her best interests for you to stay surely as she's making money while you rent a room from her! Maybe the three of you could sit down and discuss the situation?

Failing that, I'd be finding a new room to work from and making it known why. Lifes too short to be under so much stress and its meant to be an enjoyable profession!

Good luck with it all x

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[virtues2011]

Are both of you self employed?

You never stand on others to get to the top. You will come down very quickly.

I will offer advice as soon as I have finished my clients.

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[coco.]

It's abit like competing against a salon a few doors down but in this case your both in the same salon

I think unless your both willing to work together I can't see this working I'm afraid

Can you not sit down with her and both talk and come to an agreement because this competing against each other will just make everything worse and one of you will end up leaving

I know she said no in the beginning to working together and now she sees your busy she's going to work her hardest to gain all the clients etc

I really would sit down and chat and try and come to an agreement, it will be easier on both of you if you helped each other rather than fighting against each other

If there are no boundaries set either by the owner or yourselves then it's just going to get very messy and strained and stressful for all involved

 

[HelenT59]

We are both self employed, both had business names before. I studied beauty n holistic massage, she did makeup. She has done a series of one day courses to acquire beauty over three-five months. Initially she stated she did not want to do massage but since has moved into this. We rent separate spaces and pay wkly rent. To date iv spoken to her about advertising offers which hv not been agreed-she agreed not to so the same but has continued, despite advising me that by advertising my hrs and available appointments, this takes away from her.I also challenged her on staying late into evenings which are my hours. This stopped but had since started again. I wanted one price leaflet despite both being self employed. She said no. I got a little busier, she wanted same leaflet. I agreed as it made sense so as not to confuse customers. Also agreed on a regular salon offer eg every 2 wks to a month but we both had to agree on what was offered. She has since offered groupon upon groupon without consultation and is specifically offering holistic treatments which I specialise in. Furthermore she is carrying out treatments I know she is not qualified in. I have taken on additional courses to set myself apart as holistic but not step on her toes...she speeds up her advertising on massage. And this is the way it goes, to and fro!
I have not directly spoken to the owners as was hoping that we could resolve it initially.

 

[Karen872]

I feel for you I really do xxx
If she's only getting customers in through Groupon offers then she can't be making much profit. I think they are a good incentive to get new people through the door now and again but a business can't sustain offer after offer. She will be working her butt off for peanuts! Sit it out;0) xxx

 

[TheBeautyRoomClinic]

when you say you each rent separate spaces do you mean you each have a treatment room of your own or do you share x

 

[HelenT59]

We rent a nail area each and two separate rooms

 

[virtues2011]

Firstly, you need an enforceable covenant which is a legal document that you both agree on which will establish ground rules and articles of a structured business. This is nothing that comes from your landlord it is between you and the other self employed girl.

At the moment you are at a commercial disadvantage as you are being exploited through lack of tangible agreement.

This situation is purely commercial competition, it is not bullying, intimidation or stepping on people to get to the top. All business ethics are perceived differently but in short should be the same. Honesty. Integrity. Equality. These are key ingredients for an ethical foundation, ultimately resulting in commercial respect from each other and your clients.

In all honesty you are out on a limb, at the moment it is a pointless position to be in.

Get the agreement or leave, they are your options. Your emotions should not come into play. Use your head and gain sound commercial acumen. Knowledge is power.



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[beauty_geek86]

Helen - this is exactly why I would never rent a room where there is another self employed therapist. It rarely works out. It is dog eat dog. She will do offers and she will book 'your' clients in with her. She is going out of her way to gain clients and make money and so she should as she pays rent too. You are two separate business under the same roof. I agree with Virtues - you need to have something in writing so you both know what's expected of each other. :hugs:

 

[HelenT59]

I don't feel honesty, equality or integrity are qualities this girl has or wants to uphold. I'm going to keep going & give as gd as I've got! I have home today, got posters from a graphic designer printed, put them up in salon to advertise my holistic massage and I'm going to promote my key areas to customers. I will be as civil as I can be to the ther therapist, but keep separate. Iv spoken to manager- she agrees both therapists should not be overlapping, so there is to be an arrangement that she leave by time x and I start my evening shifts at that time. She cannot take any bookings that will overlap my shift. Will also be a conversation had about having same offers on rather than several different ones undercutting the other therapist. Let's call this a learning curve and when I do go alone il use this experience to my advantage!

 

[virtues2011]

I don't feel honesty, equality or integrity are qualities this girl has or wants to uphold. I'm going to keep going & give as gd as I've got! I have home today, got posters from a graphic designer printed, put them up in salon to advertise my holistic massage and I'm going to promote my key areas to customers. I will be as civil as I can be to the ther therapist, but keep separate. Iv spoken to manager- she agrees both therapists should not be overlapping, so there is to be an arrangement that she leave by time x and I start my evening shifts at that time. She cannot take any bookings that will overlap my shift. Will also be a conversation had about having same offers on rather than several different ones undercutting the other therapist. Let's call this a learning curve and when I do go alone il use this experience to my advantage!

The best of luck. Unless it is in writing I fear you will be fighting a losing battle. X

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[HelenT59]

The best of luck. Unless it is in writing I fear you will be fighting a losing battle. X

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I fear you could be right virtues but I know this girl will not agree to anything in writing. I may as well give a gd crack at the whip anyway. Only saving grace is that, manager stated that she too had observed other therapist to be very difficult and not a team player even within the hair salon. Manager stated she did not want self to leave as I was gd with customers, feels that if I go another therapist will also feel the same stresses. Manager stated if difficulties continue, other therapist may have to go as she is the issue.

 

[Miss_NBC]

How's it going, OP?