What is 'Salongeek'?
- Thread starter RED STAR
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salonfrog
Accountant for salon owners
I can really understand the frustrations in all the comments so far.
Salonfrog offers an accounting service for salon owners but I'm really happy to offer advice on salongeek whenever I can.
Having said that, I'll only take on Salon Clients who are at a professional standard and not just someone who's decided to have a go with little or no hair training; for exactly the same reasons you've all given above.
And like you, that's why my fees are higher than (say for example in my professional) a bookkeeper who has had just a couple of years in a local company: I spent a lot of time taking my exams, becoming chartered, continually keeping up with legislation and now have 20+ years experience.
So as I say, I can quite understand your frustrations...
Salonfrog offers an accounting service for salon owners but I'm really happy to offer advice on salongeek whenever I can.
Having said that, I'll only take on Salon Clients who are at a professional standard and not just someone who's decided to have a go with little or no hair training; for exactly the same reasons you've all given above.
And like you, that's why my fees are higher than (say for example in my professional) a bookkeeper who has had just a couple of years in a local company: I spent a lot of time taking my exams, becoming chartered, continually keeping up with legislation and now have 20+ years experience.
So as I say, I can quite understand your frustrations...
RED STAR
Well-Known Member
Salongeek / Netmums 
blossom
Well-Known Member
I'm still chortling at the thought of an intimate wax in a shared kitchen [emoji23][emoji85]
But totally agree with the sentiments of the thread.
But totally agree with the sentiments of the thread.
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Why is this an open public forum and not professionals only?
This has been raised many times over the years and whilst it sounds a great idea, in practice it would be tricky to police.
Firstly, salon geek members are an international bunch and so we benefit from the opinions and experiences of a wider community. However, what criteria could we use to determine whether someone is 'professional'?
In the States, this is probably a bit easier as geeks have to obtain a cosmetology licence to practice but here in the U.K., there are fewer regulations and geeks can complete a 1 day hair extensions course, 1 day spray tan course or a 1 day gel nails course and set up in business. Legally, they're entitled to call themselves a Professional <Nail Technician or whatever> and they have the certificate and insurance to prove it!
There are plenty of posts from geeks starting out who maybe have dabbled a bit in diy hair and beauty prior to training, (just like many of us here) and posts from committed diy-ers who just want the information to keep on doing it themselves. Sometimes, without a bit of probing, it's difficult to know which one is which.
In many ways, I think it's good that anyone can access the forum, as it might persuade someone currently dabbling to decide to commit to undertake proper training and research a good training provider or a client to accept that not all hairdressers are magicians.
This has been raised many times over the years and whilst it sounds a great idea, in practice it would be tricky to police.
Firstly, salon geek members are an international bunch and so we benefit from the opinions and experiences of a wider community. However, what criteria could we use to determine whether someone is 'professional'?
In the States, this is probably a bit easier as geeks have to obtain a cosmetology licence to practice but here in the U.K., there are fewer regulations and geeks can complete a 1 day hair extensions course, 1 day spray tan course or a 1 day gel nails course and set up in business. Legally, they're entitled to call themselves a Professional <Nail Technician or whatever> and they have the certificate and insurance to prove it!
There are plenty of posts from geeks starting out who maybe have dabbled a bit in diy hair and beauty prior to training, (just like many of us here) and posts from committed diy-ers who just want the information to keep on doing it themselves. Sometimes, without a bit of probing, it's difficult to know which one is which.
In many ways, I think it's good that anyone can access the forum, as it might persuade someone currently dabbling to decide to commit to undertake proper training and research a good training provider or a client to accept that not all hairdressers are magicians.
Please re-read my post
I'm trying to make a very valid point.
Our Profession is being devalued, and my question was, is it partly due to the growing assumption that it's a 'fluffy' part-time, bit on the side, learn it on-line, nonsense industry.
That offends me.
I'm sure the replies on here are not intending to 'bash' any newbie starting out wide eyed and excited.
We should all be very proud of our accomplishments from our early days training, to where we are now.
But we trained well......and are still learning.
Some of the posts on our 'professional forum' are un-professional.
That is my point.
These are not 'queries' from folk wanting to enter the industry...they are looking for a way in...quickly and cheaply....
The lack of in-depth training, IMO, is the root cause of most of this industry's issues.
As someone who is very proud of the industry I chose 37 years ago, it does offend me to see it 'cheapened'
The idea that there are 'plenty of clients to go round....good client's will always find you'.....is fine, except my belief is that the public have lost respect for our industry, partly due to sub standard, cut price treatments they have received from poorly trained operators....we then all get tared with the same brush.
Literally couldn't have said this any better, agree with EVERYTHING in this post.
The lack or regulation in the hair and beauty industry is also a huge problem and allows so many un-insured, and un-qualified people to offer cheap and sub standard treatments. The industry is being so diluted by this, hence why so many view it as a basic job that anybody can do.
laurakate
Well-Known Member
The industry is also being devalued because employers can't/won't pay much more than minimum wage no matter how experienced or qualified a person is. I feel that the problem is widely complex.
On the self employed front, it can be just as difficult to get clients as an experienced and qualified person. Clients expectations have been swayed by stuff like Groupon et al.
On the self employed front, it can be just as difficult to get clients as an experienced and qualified person. Clients expectations have been swayed by stuff like Groupon et al.
RED STAR
Well-Known Member
How can you pay a high wage, when the client want's it 'cheap'
The price point has been declining for some time now, due to over saturation within the industry.
Groupon and it's like, seduced the struggling, to sell their soul for a quick buck....
squidgernetball
Ubergeek
I think virtually every employed therapist thinks that the salon owner is rolling in money with no concept of the ongoing costs of a business. They see that they’re taking £25 for a set of nails and only getting a third, if that. The realisation that there won’t be a queue around the door as soon as they qualify doesn’t take long.
We’re in an isolated location and are constantly struggling to find good staff. I have the clients, just not the staff. I ask for a minimum level 2 and have applicants from people with a one day spray tanning cert and nothing else. Or I have applications from people with no qualification whatsoever.
We don’t do cheap and we are busy but the constant strain to pay wages, rent, VAT, and so on means that if you pay much above minimum wage, you struggle to balance the books.
We’ve diversified to really become skin specialists. Treatment cost is higher and profit is higher. An hour spent doing a £25 set of nails or a £175 skin needing. Easy choice. Then what do we see. A skin needling qualification at a training academy. One day course. No previous qualification needed [emoji23][emoji23][emoji23]
And then someone walks in my salon and tells me I’m really lucky to have it. Yes, luck. That’s all it is [emoji85][emoji85][emoji85]
I’ve stopped giving advice on here to get new clients. Over years, I’ve done it again and again. Do some searching.
I try and help with skin and business and beyond that I CBA.
Vic x
We’re in an isolated location and are constantly struggling to find good staff. I have the clients, just not the staff. I ask for a minimum level 2 and have applicants from people with a one day spray tanning cert and nothing else. Or I have applications from people with no qualification whatsoever.
We don’t do cheap and we are busy but the constant strain to pay wages, rent, VAT, and so on means that if you pay much above minimum wage, you struggle to balance the books.
We’ve diversified to really become skin specialists. Treatment cost is higher and profit is higher. An hour spent doing a £25 set of nails or a £175 skin needing. Easy choice. Then what do we see. A skin needling qualification at a training academy. One day course. No previous qualification needed [emoji23][emoji23][emoji23]
And then someone walks in my salon and tells me I’m really lucky to have it. Yes, luck. That’s all it is [emoji85][emoji85][emoji85]
I’ve stopped giving advice on here to get new clients. Over years, I’ve done it again and again. Do some searching.
I try and help with skin and business and beyond that I CBA.
Vic x
God I hate that "lUCKY" word ....." Oo aren't you lUCKY you have your own business!"
"Oo aren't you LUCKY you can work from home!!"
"Oo aren't you LUCKY you are your own boss!!"
ERRRRR NOOOOOO!!!!! I have worked my backside off, put in the hours, got up early, worked late when no one else wanted to, studied for years, spent thousands upon thousands on training, education & products, not to mention tax, NI & if your "LUCKY" enough VAT!!!!!! Luck has NOTHING to do with it "LUCKY"is winning the lottery......not building a business & creating empire!!!
(And breathe!!!)
"Oo aren't you LUCKY you can work from home!!"
"Oo aren't you LUCKY you are your own boss!!"
ERRRRR NOOOOOO!!!!! I have worked my backside off, put in the hours, got up early, worked late when no one else wanted to, studied for years, spent thousands upon thousands on training, education & products, not to mention tax, NI & if your "LUCKY" enough VAT!!!!!! Luck has NOTHING to do with it "LUCKY"is winning the lottery......not building a business & creating empire!!!
(And breathe!!!)
laurakate
Well-Known Member
My experience is biased on the employment front because I've worked for big spas that bring in high figures at the end of each day (usually in the 5 figure sums) and still only pay minimum wage or slightly above to therapists doing full days of massage.
I do subscribe to the concept that a business shouldn't moan that it can't get staff that it can't afford because I don't think it's reasonable for an employee to effectively pick up the tab for an employer who is struggling. Equally though, all businesses have to start somewhere and I can imagine that management can be a very frustrating role when clients want massive quality for tiny prices.
I do subscribe to the concept that a business shouldn't moan that it can't get staff that it can't afford because I don't think it's reasonable for an employee to effectively pick up the tab for an employer who is struggling. Equally though, all businesses have to start somewhere and I can imagine that management can be a very frustrating role when clients want massive quality for tiny prices.
AshLovesTanning
Tanning ❤️
I hate those salons who offer to train any one for 6, 9 or 12 months you pay them THOUSANDS and your fully qualified.
I love being self employed its hard but I work when I have to even if it is 10pm on a Sunday night, I love what I do so I do it. Other mobile stylist won't do after 6 on any day and here's me out doing their work lol
In all honesty, I won't get some one on Donedeal or gumtree or group on from experience I had with them. I will go to a salons end of.
If you offer excellent customer service and really are a nice person who cares about what they do you will have loyal, regular customers. I can't tell you how many mobile stylist I've met with the worst attitude, clearly only doing it for the money.
Any one can be a hairdresser, do nails, do tanning, do makeup, do skincare. BUT it takes people like US experienced lovely people with excellent customer service to provide them with a service that will keep them addicted!
I love being self employed its hard but I work when I have to even if it is 10pm on a Sunday night, I love what I do so I do it. Other mobile stylist won't do after 6 on any day and here's me out doing their work lol
In all honesty, I won't get some one on Donedeal or gumtree or group on from experience I had with them. I will go to a salons end of.
If you offer excellent customer service and really are a nice person who cares about what they do you will have loyal, regular customers. I can't tell you how many mobile stylist I've met with the worst attitude, clearly only doing it for the money.
Any one can be a hairdresser, do nails, do tanning, do makeup, do skincare. BUT it takes people like US experienced lovely people with excellent customer service to provide them with a service that will keep them addicted!
RED STAR
Well-Known Member
The Big Spa will have Big costs.
I honestly had no idea how much it REALLY costs to run a business.
I cringe with shame when I recall my 'up my own ar*s' attitude towards previous employers who I naively believed were;
1. Raking it in.
2. Lucky to have me
3. Greedy basta*ds
Years later, with a salon of my own.....and all the 'joy's' that go with it.....I finally acknowledge the reality of being 'Boss'.
Remember, as an employed person, even on minimum wage of £7.50 per hour...you are guaranteed that + 28 days holiday.....rain or shine, clients, or no clients, regular hours, perks such as, free hair/beauty etc......the Boss is not.
As an employer for the last 5 years....not one staff member, to date, has covered their wage.
This is the reality folks.
I am in the process of relocating, (at great expense and high risk I might add).....with the hope that higher footfall will bring more client's.
More client's will attract good staff, who can then earn a decent living via a fair wage and a good commission scheme....... but these are tough times for us all.
I honestly had no idea how much it REALLY costs to run a business.
I cringe with shame when I recall my 'up my own ar*s' attitude towards previous employers who I naively believed were;
1. Raking it in.
2. Lucky to have me
3. Greedy basta*ds
Years later, with a salon of my own.....and all the 'joy's' that go with it.....I finally acknowledge the reality of being 'Boss'.
Remember, as an employed person, even on minimum wage of £7.50 per hour...you are guaranteed that + 28 days holiday.....rain or shine, clients, or no clients, regular hours, perks such as, free hair/beauty etc......the Boss is not.
As an employer for the last 5 years....not one staff member, to date, has covered their wage.
This is the reality folks.
I am in the process of relocating, (at great expense and high risk I might add).....with the hope that higher footfall will bring more client's.
More client's will attract good staff, who can then earn a decent living via a fair wage and a good commission scheme....... but these are tough times for us all.
I haven't been on here for a while (and that's one of the reasons why) so reading this thread has actually made me realise it's not just me. Every time I see a post relating to "I've done a one-day manicure / pedicure course" / "I've got no clients" / "I'm starting up a business from my hall cupboard" / "I've been in business for 2 weeks & I'm not rich yet" my soul dies a little. I've got enough of them popping up (and disappearing again!) in my town, so I'm certainly not going to waste my time reading about their woes or offering advice here. It's a shame because I've had some fantastic advice from you Geeks over the years. No idea if this is relative, but I notice that posts receive really high numbers of 'views' compared with comments, so it seems there are a lot of 'watchers' compared with the amount of Geeks able / willing to offer up advice these days (this thread over 1200 views, less than 35 comments). I do understand that it's hard for the Admins to vet each person (I'm on an American FB forum for Estis and had to send a copy of my certs and passport before I could join!!) but it does mean the quality of posts & advice is always professional standard. However, as you say, within the UK you can 'legally' gain a qualification and insurance from a one-day course so it's actually the accreditation standards of the industry that needs an overhaul.
Remember when all the regulations came in for working with gas and there were adverts all over the place to make sure your gas engineer was Corgi registered?
Maybe something similar could be done with the beauty industry? We need insurers to get their heads together and come up with a minimum training amount to qualify and a national registry of beauticians. It all sounds so Orwellian but I had an experience last week where someone messaged me and asked why my gel manicures were so expensive when her neighbour was offering them for £5. I asked where her neighbour trained and had her insurance and, quelle surprise, she wasn't trained and didn't have insurance - she just watched a lot of youtube and decided to start a nail business in her living room.
Maybe something similar could be done with the beauty industry? We need insurers to get their heads together and come up with a minimum training amount to qualify and a national registry of beauticians. It all sounds so Orwellian but I had an experience last week where someone messaged me and asked why my gel manicures were so expensive when her neighbour was offering them for £5. I asked where her neighbour trained and had her insurance and, quelle surprise, she wasn't trained and didn't have insurance - she just watched a lot of youtube and decided to start a nail business in her living room.
