Your journey so far...

[PinkSwoon]

Hello everyone!

I thought it might make an interesting thread for us to discuss our journey in the industry so far, kind of like a mini-biography of our up's, down's & everything in between!

I'll start (although technically I haven't started my journey yet )

Well, I first became properly interested in makeup when I was about 12-13, I was a member of a hair/craft forum & someone posted a link to LimeCrime, back then it was quite a small blog & I saw a photo of gothic-looking red & black makeup, it was really well done & I thought wow...I want! So I went out & bought a black and red Barry M Dazzledusts & that was it...ADDICTED! The more I did makeup the better I got, so here we are, 6 years later & I will hopefully turn my hobby into something which I can make money from! I want to freelance & I have a name & a few ideas floating around but I'm just in the researching stages & have yet to buy/build up a kit which isn't for my personal use. I want to specialise in beauty makeup as I feel I could probably excel most in this, especially where things like bridal makeup & makeup lessons are concerned! I would love to do film & media though! I've never had any formal training so I'm a bit concerned about how this will fare but I've looked at a few short-courses & trainings which MAC offer to members of its' Pro-Scheme & they look helpful! What I love about doing makeup is seeing the client happy with the way they look & in turn feeling amazing about themselves, it's such a good reward for me. Whilst I was at college (studying Equitation) I did my all of my friends makeup every wednesday night (student night ) so it gave me lots of varied faces to practise on & I've finally decided I want to take this further.

Your turn!!! Things you might want to think about are:
What originally ignited your passion?
What gave you the 'push' to finally do it?
What setbacks did you encounter?
What makes you realise why you do what you do?
How close you were to giving up?
What did close friends/family think?
Is it what you imagined?

 

[JuZz'<3]

Hello

I figured out I wanted to be a hairdresser from around 9/10 years of age, so very young. every chance I had I was playing with hair, from cutting and styling barbie dolls to attacking my poor sisters with plaits and 'blow drys'

It then came to my GCSE options, and hair & beauty was taken off the list for us, so I wasn't allowed to train whilst in school...
I was then encouraged even more when my school decided to add hairdressing back to the GCSE list, but only students that were not guaranteed decent GCSE's were allowed to apply & got accepted.
Because I was predicted some good grades I was not accepted

I was a few months from leaving school when we was having general chit-chat with a few teachers, when they discovered I wanted to be a hairdresser they said 'have a second option, because all hairdressers fail a few years down the line'
FUMING because of how much I wanted this career, I knew I had to prove them wrong.. & I have.

I have now completed 3 years of training, I am fully qualified in all 3 levels of hairdressing, also hair extensions, massage & ear piercing.
It wasn't easy, and at one point I didn't think I would be able to go to college, it was frustrating to see friends get a 'easy pass' into college because their parents sat on their backsides on Benefits, but my parents were made to pay a heft £500 for my kit, £80 for uniform, £50 course fee, and £100 for course books, all because they both work hard & earn money to look after their family

I currently work in a salon, however my manager is going through a divorce, and the Devil he calls WIFE is fighting for the salon, so we are very worried we may not have a job soon GUTTED.

however, because of this I am now taking driving lessons, to get myself a little 'PapPap' so if push comes to shove, and our boss looses the business I can start up Mobile.
(my boss has already kindly stated that because we have all done so much for him and we help him to make the business the way it is, we can all keep our regular clients and our columns if we want to start up alone, which is soooo nice of him!)

I am now looking into do a few beauty bits, mainly eye brow shaping/tinting, eye lash extensions.
Also looking into training for spray tans.

I enjoy my Job soo much. I adore my clients, because seeing them smile makes my day, knowing theyre leaving happy because of me. I get a real thrill out of it. and I want to expand so much more so that I can reach out to different people

During my time of training I also met a lovely man:hug:
we are now Engaged, and hoping to have a family in a few years time,
marriage is not on the cards yet, ive not been brought up around marriage so ive not been in a rush to get out & buy wedding mags & book a date. I want my career so much, and if that means putting everything on hold till im there, ill do it, because I know a partner could be here one day, but leave me for some body else the next day.. my career will be something I will always have

Looking forward to reading more stories xxx

 

[happyfeet]

What a fab thread and have loved reading your stories so far

Having been a travel agent, payroll clerk (all over London) and childcare assistant in my previous life I always felt like I was missing something.... an actual physical skill. Back in 2009 I stumbled across a nail course that at the time meant I didnt have to leave my full time job.... sadly got made redundant 4 months later and could have kicked myself for the time and money and opportunity wasted that could have been spent on a real human to human course. I just couldn't do it on my own.

In that time however, I found SG and after Christmas in 2011 I was on a mission to get in to the nail and beauty industry, came back to geek and realised that whilst I'd chosen the wrong course before, there were lots of others out there that I could do.... shellac being my ultimate goal... How lucky was I to be able to enter the nail world using this product. I also decided to compliment it with spray tanning.

I researched like crazy and finally sat himself down and told him 'my plan'. Not having much money and hubby being the only earner, he was skeptical, where would we find the money?

.... Well I said I'm selling my beloved car. I didnt use it much, couldnt afford to really run it anymore and it was just standing idle. So in March last year, i listed my car, sold it in a matter of days and booked on to my courses.

I did spray tanning but eventually sold my kit (i realised i loved nails and wanted to do nothing else) along with my nail trainer from my previous course, and booked on to a pedi course and as they say the rest is history.

I work mobile, rent a treatment cabin and currently still decorating my home nail studio for more flexibility.

Coming up to a year in business i couldnt love it more. This last month the appointments have gone crazy, ive got regulars (which i absolutely love) and im about to invest a nice chunk of money in to my business to buy more products, after my grandparents left me some money in their will (god love 'em). This month has also given me the opportunity to treat my hubby and son, from clothes to days out, camping trips and so on,
which has been just an amazing feeling because ive not been able to do this in such a long time. Thats also meant hubbys wages can concentrate on the normal bills, our mortgage etc, so thats eased the pressure of him.

I love what i do, cant believe its actually called work, and realise with support from my hubby, sg and training providers, ive achieved my goal so far. How bloody lucky am i!

X x x

 

[sarah_clancy]

Ahhh what a lovely thread, I love hearing people's journeys, salon geek is just filled with such passionate people, knowledge is power.

Here's my story:

Finished my gcses in 2005, during which time I needed a Saturday job to pay for an up and coming holiday, but as im an August baby I was 15 and could only get a job in a hairdressers.
Up the road from me there was a salon looking for a Saturday girl PERFECT!
Got an interview and just sat tight for a bit, I applied at college to do beauty therapy because that was what I'd always wanted to do.
Well the boss called back and offered me an apprenticeship.. Spanner in the works, he thought I had what it took to become a hairdresser.
My dad said to me "opportunities don't come around all the time like this"... So I took the job!
My training was not the best, no proper training nights, no one on one training.. I had to really do this one myself.
Got through the 2 years at college, and then emigrated to Australia at 18 years old.

It wasn't till I got to Adelaide when I realised how much I didn't know, but I knew I could do it, so with my British accent and charm I managed to get myself into this salon, they provided lots of education and courses for free for all members of staff, all matrix.
I even saved up enough money to pay for a course to do tanning, waxing and nails as we could provide this in my salon.
Had a wonderful time at the salon, a good 2 years till I fell pregnant and my bf at the time broke up with me.

Back to the UK I go, no money, no job, and pregnant single mother to be.

Surprisingly all my old clients came back to me from before, not loads but enough to keep me going, enough to earn some money to pay for all the things a baby needs, I wasn't prepared to take hand outs either, this was my mess and I could handle it.

So I have my baby and move out of home, I don't have a pot to p**s in.

5 months after me and baby make a trip to Aus to see if me and the ex can make things work. We couldn't.
I had to stay for 7weeks, 7 weeks of hell.

But I found SALON GEEK in this time, I spent hours trawling the site, getting inspired.
The penny dropped and I knew I had to make a life for this little boy of mine.

A relief to get back to England, get off these benefits! My mind was set.

I booked courses at L'Oreal, brought all my kit, every penny I had invested into products and marketing, my logo, hair extension course. To become freelance.

1 year in I decided I wanted to push myself further so I looked into teaching, got booked onto the level 3 course September last year. Just completed that so now looking into doing my teaching course.

2 years into being freelance and self employed, I have learnt SO much and become so much more passionate about my trade, I never use to be able to do hair up and now I can.

The world is your oyster. I truly believe that you get out of life what you put in.

Sorry for rambling on, can't wait to hear other stories!xx

 

[MrsHBeauty]

oooh I like this thread.

My story so far......

I finished school and went to college and did a GNVQ in Health and Social care, ended up working in a care home for the elderly after that finished, i as there for abotu 2 years. I then worked in a home for adults with learning difficulties.

At 18 I fell pregnant with my son, he was born 2 days after my 19th Birthday. I got married to my boyfriend of 4 years when my son was 9 months old 21st nov '04. I worked fo rmy dad doing his book keeping 1 day a week.

My 1st daughter was born 28th Jan '06 just before I was 21.

on 25th march 2006 I won £158k on the lottery WHOOP WHOOP we put alomost all of down on a house, went on holiday and bought a car **cough then wittled away abotu £10k cough**

I dabbled in money making schemes buying at carboots re-selling on ebay, sewing and selling that. i still worked for my dad 1 day a week doing his book keeping.

I went to work for my dad for 20 hours per week when my little girl was 2.

I then had my 2nd little girl in August 2010.

I stil worked for my dad for 1 day a week after i had my 3rd child. He is my inspiration, my role model and my guide.

I was up at the trafford centre with my husband and spotted the fish pedicures, i saw how busy it was and thought I want to do that!

So I did. April 4th 2011 my Dad moved in to his new shop and I started work decorating his old shop which was now mine!!!

On 25th April 2011 Fishy Feet Spa opened its doors. It was amazing we were so busy, I had 3 staff. e had a fantastic summer.

As predicted this died off. I was going to leave and move onto my next thing, but there was something that said NO DONT GO you could so much more here, so Belle Vie BEauty was born!

I went to a private academy and did my level 2 plus body massage and hot stone massage.

I never had any intentions of practicng as a beauty therpist, i wanted the knowledge and practical know how to be able to be an effecient manager.

When i started i fell in love! I love being a beauty therpasit. 12th of November 2011 we re-named and re-branded to Belle Vie Beauty, still retaining 2 fish spas.

I had to make a hard decisiona nd cut staff hour and make 1 member of staff redundant, things werent looking good and I was determined to ride it out but with all my savigns gone, and my dad starting to clsoe his wallet i had to do something. This caused a bit of a problem wih one member of staff and she left a month ago (3 months after the change).

It got to the point where I had an appoitment to remortgage my house to release the equity, but they wouldnt lend it to us as I dont have any earnigns and my husband doesnt earn enough. we were goign to sel our house and move into my dads. My husband really didnt want this, but he would have mved in with my dad to support me.

Almost instantly after implementing the changes things were looking up, we are getting busier by the week, people are recomending us, we are actually turning a profit every week now (although this is paying off money i borrowed) the last 6 month of my life have been the toughest ever. It has been an emtional roller coaster. I have worked every hour possible, wrking til 2 - 3 int he morning on my laptop, cleaning, decorating organinsing, but most of all enjoying every darn minute of it. \I have the most amazing person workign for me (my beautyh therpist), she has stood by me and helped me out, she didnt have to but she believes in me, she trusts my judgement. I have recently took on another therapist and so far she has been amazing.

I am looking forard to the next year of my life and hope it is as good as the last.

I am by no measn "out of the woods" with regards to the success of my bussiness. We dont have a consistent diary, not by any means but works seems to appear and I am doing everything possible to make the most of each client and each day.

Salon Geek for me has been an inspiration, a shoulder to cry on, a learnign experience. So many people give their time to help others, to share their experiences and I appreciate it alot.

xx

 

[PinkSwoon]

Wow, interesting stories ladies enjoying reading them & look forward to more!

 

[jojo@tranquil]

Hello !

Well I wanted to be a beauty therapist when I was at school, but my parents put me off, saying they new people who had trained and not got work, so I changed my mind and did my NNEB nursery nursing and became a nanny for about 6 years.
I then got married and had my son, who was not planned we had only been married a short time, anyway as soon as I had Harrrison my marriage went down hill, and the relationship was heading to a place I didn't want to go.
We divorced and sold our beautiful house and I had nothing at all as the equity in the house paid off debts.
I tried to go back to nannying but just couldn't do it, with my son in towe.
My parents took me in and helped out with my son.
They suggested I go back to college and do something, so I enrolled in an NVQ beauty therapy course and loved it.
I stayed living with my parents and worked a few evenings and studied hard for 3 years in my last year my lecturer at college put me forward for a part time beauty therapist position , which I got.
I worked hard and stayed there building the business up, the owner started to lose interest 2years ago and I bought the business from her.

2years on and I am moving premises so I will have 3 treatment rooms.
The renovation is costing around £170000 which my parents are paying for.
I employ a therapist and have a few self employed alternative therapists too.
Business is good and last year I turned over £60,000 I am just waiting for this years accounts to be done.

I don't know where I would be without my parents, I owe them so much.
Oh I forgot to say I remarried 2 1/2 years ago and he is a sports therapist so also works for me !

Lovely thread x

 

[PinkSwoon]

Bump for those that missed the first time around! I've loved reading everyones stories so far

 

[lynn amber]

Ok so wanted to be a hairdresser from very young 7ish ,left school when I was 16 no exams got a job as a junior in a salon hated it ,waa like soooo dated left after month when to one of the posh salons in town started college one day a week ,was there for about 10 mouths.boss was an ass big staff turnover.

Moved to a local salon,was there 3 years finished my training got alot of experience as the pretty much put me to work on clients when I started there was wrong but good for me ,

Went to work for my mums nabour for 2 years wages where rubbish and had me run the shop when she was not there ,the last straw was when I was not feeling well she told me to go to the doc so I did and was signed off for 2 wks when back to tell her and in front for staff and clients has shouted at me saying well what am I suppose to do now ,i took my stuff and call her later to say I wasn't coming back ,had a new job within a week was there 2.1/2 year before going to rent a chair for 6yrs loved I best thing I ever did .

Had leukemia APL last year continued to work full time whilst getting chemotherapy 2 day a week for 10 months was very hard but I made it ,opened my home salon in may this year and have done courses in waxing,mani ,pedi,gelish,tanning,and about to do hair extension course nx week ,live it all business is going well ,

live with my partner of 10 yrs he is my only problem right now as he has major issues I think he is bipolar but he won't go to the doc hopeful we can sort this and that's me so far :-D

Sent from my LT18i using SalonGeek

 

[lila22]

Lovely stories ladies x x

 

[tjmadmum]

What lovely stories ladies. You really have inspired me xx