41 years old looking to change career

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Sunflowerspray

Active Member
Joined
Feb 18, 2019
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Location
Herts
I currently work in a school , which I’ve done for a long time , but I’ve always wanted to get into beauty .
I’ve looked at a level 2 course which is £1500
At my local college .
I’ve recently done a tanning course , which is building up but enough to make a full time living .
I’m just looking for tips and suggestions on the best route , I would love to work from home , I have a spare room .
 
I currently work in a school , which I’ve done for a long time , but I’ve always wanted to get into beauty .
I’ve looked at a level 2 course which is £1500
At my local college .
I’ve recently done a tanning course , which is building up but enough to make a full time living .
I’m just looking for tips and suggestions on the best route , I would love to work from home , I have a spare room .

Hi I think the first thing you need to do is think about if you want to cover all areas of beauty or specialise in specific treatments. I did my level two and three beauty years ago when I left school but have since done other one/two day courses to refresh although you can do these from the outset like your tanning course. For example, if you want to do eyelash lift and tint then I personally would go and do a course just for that and then I would go onto the next. I only ever do courses that have been recommended and I feel will give me the knowledge and confidence to offer the treatment. Not a one day course that leaves you not really knowing what you are doing if you know what I mean. If you want to do nails this is again an area where I would do a course through someone like CND for example.
As for having a room in your house, I think you are in a fab position. You can get it set up like a salon and get started as soon as you feel confident. Just make sure you are happy with the idea of people coming in and out of your house. I just called the council about mine when I started years ago and they were fine as long as there was not more than two cars parked outside at a time. Each area can be different so speak to them first. I hope this helps you a little [emoji4]
 
Thank you , that’s such a helpful answer .
I really appreciate your help x
 
Hi there,
Such very useful advice from LNB2304, I would also add that waxing is one of the more profitable treatments that you also could offer. I did my training as part of my college course in the second year some 36 years ago and I wax everyday. Other knowlegeables geek will know of training providers if you don't do the level 2 course. They are sometimes provided by beauty wholesalers, Alan Howard or Salon services are in my local area, so easy to attend. (maybe not more than a one day course though) Have youself some friends /family to practise on and build your confidence .
Eyebrows are great too, but presumably you are qualified in them anyway from your level 1 beauty.
It is so exciting and I hope you get the confidence to go for it!
I wish you well x
 
Thank you - another lovely reply , I appreciate your help . I’m going to do eye lash extensions training course, and add that on to tanning , and hopefully decrease my hours at my main job In September x
 
I’m in the same boat as you! Retraining this year starting with waxing, then eyebrow and eyelash treatments ending with level 2 nail technologies. I’m so worried I won’t find work tho.
Wishing you well on your new venture!
 
I feel the same , in regards to finding work , but I’m going to do a good few free tans , and hopefully build up from there. I Wish you lots of luck , if you want to keep in touch via face book , let me know x
 
I feel the same , in regards to finding work , but I’m going to do a good few free tans , and hopefully build up from there. I Wish you lots of luck , if you want to keep in touch via face book , let me know x

Hi! Would be great to stay in touch. If you have Instagram my business page on there has been set up as @beyourbestyoubeauty. My FB is Tracey Thompson - profile pic is a quote from The Craft! (We are the weirdos, Mister!)
We can do this! I’ll be doing the same as you, a fair few free treatments/nails then hopefully go from there. Fingers crossed for us both! x
 
I currently work in a school , which I’ve done for a long time , but I’ve always wanted to get into beauty .
I’ve looked at a level 2 course which is £1500
At my local college .
I’ve recently done a tanning course , which is building up but enough to make a full time living .
I’m just looking for tips and suggestions on the best route , I would love to work from home , I have a spare room .
Hi there I’m 41 and also looking for a career change I done my level 1,2and 3 in beauty 11 years ago but now want to start up my own business from a log cabin in my garden I get asked to do nails often so I’ve re booked my manicure and I’m training with bio sculpture to do nails and pedicures I will stay in my job but reduce my hours and hope to build up a customer base so many people have more treatments these days you will go far like the other lady said add something to the tanning that you really enjoy good luck x
 
Hi there I’m 41 and also looking for a career change I done my level 1,2and 3 in beauty 11 years ago but now want to start up my own business from a log cabin in my garden I get asked to do nails often so I’ve re booked my manicure and I’m training with bio sculpture to do nails and pedicures I will stay in my job but reduce my hours and hope to build up a customer base so many people have more treatments these days you will go far like the other lady said add something to the tanning that you really enjoy good luck x

I definitely think it was worth you doing your levels 2 & 3 as you get to learn far more about A&P than you ever will on 1 day courses. These short courses are ideal as add-ons or to refresh your knowledge after a break, but often aren't in depth enough for complete beginners. Also, a lot of insurance companies will only cover you for certain treatments if you hold a level 2 or 3 in Beauty Therapy already, (this is often in the small print).

You already have your mani and pedi qualification with Level 2 and re-doing it will refresh your memory (I did the same as I had a long break), so you're in a good position to enrol on the Bio Sculpture course. It sounds like you have a good plan in place and I wish you every success! (I retrained after a long break when I was 48!)
 
I definitely think it was worth you doing your levels 2 & 3 as you get to learn far more about A&P than you ever will on 1 day courses. These short courses are ideal as add-ons or to refresh your knowledge after a break, but often aren't in depth enough for complete beginners. Also, a lot of insurance companies will only cover you for certain treatments if you hold a level 2 or 3 in Beauty Therapy already, (this is often in the small print).

You already have your mani and pedi qualification with Level 2 and re-doing it will refresh your memory (I did the same as I had a long break), so you're in a good position to enrol on the Bio Sculpture course. It sounds like you have a good plan in place and I wish you every success! (I retrained after a long break when I was 48!)
Wow thankyou so much for your message how are things going for you that’s great advice x
 
Wow thankyou so much for your message how are things going for you that’s great advice x

I'm so happy that I made the decision to retrain and set up on my own business (in our converted garage at the end of the garden, so similar to you as well!). I kept my part time job to start with for about a year, but took voluntary redundancy in October 2017. I have chosen to only work part time hours so I didn't have to replace a full-time salary, which helped, but my daughter set up from scratch in January and has been fully booked since April!
 
I'm so happy that I made the decision to retrain and set up on my own business (in our converted garage at the end of the garden, so similar to you as well!). I kept my part time job to start with for about a year, but took voluntary redundancy in October 2017. I have chosen to only work part time hours so I didn't have to replace a full-time salary, which helped, but my daughter set up from scratch in January and has been fully booked since April!
That’s amazing for both you and your daughter my plan is to go part time at work once I’ve paid for my course log cabin materials and everything it will be lovely to stay in touch with you and let you no how I get on, I then plan to leave work hopefully a year or so down the line can I ask what you charge for nails if you don’t mind and would you say you make enough to earn a living once you’ve paid for everything thankyou for you help and advice I’m really grateful x
 
That’s amazing for both you and your daughter my plan is to go part time at work once I’ve paid for my course log cabin materials and everything it will be lovely to stay in touch with you and let you no how I get on, I then plan to leave work hopefully a year or so down the line can I ask what you charge for nails if you don’t mind and would you say you make enough to earn a living once you’ve paid for everything thankyou for you help and advice I’m really grateful x

I charge £20 for gel polish, £28 with an overlay, £35 for extensions and £28 for infills.

If you're just planning to do nails and pedis your start up costs won't be as much as mine were setting up a whole beauty salon (although my husband is in construction so it didn't cost nearly as much to convert our garage as it should have), but it's all the equipment and products that soon add up. It's hard to say how long it'll take you to earn a living from it as it's different for everybody, but the best advice I can think of is to save as much as you can to cover your set up costs, and I agree, go part time in your job to start with until you build your confidence and client base, just so you've got some regular money coming in. It sounds like you've given it a lot of thought, so you're not just jumping in and I think you'll be fine! I'd love to hear how you get on along the way :) xx
 
Thankyou so much this is so helpful that’s great that your husband is in construction mine can’t hang a picture lol. We have had all our garden done and the base for my cabin we just got to pay for one more fence £1200 then my cabin will be 14ft by 12ft and that’s looking to be around £5000 my bio sculpture course is £1014 but I will get some products and my machine I’ve already got my pedicure bits so it’s just buying my stock of bio sculpture polished then I hope to make my money back and up make sure my cabin is insulated and everything I can’t wait I will sent you photos and obviously I’ve got to get my desk towels chairs and so on your daughter has done so amazing aswell xx
 
Thankyou so much this is so helpful that’s great that your husband is in construction mine can’t hang a picture lol. We have had all our garden done and the base for my cabin we just got to pay for one more fence £1200 then my cabin will be 14ft by 12ft and that’s looking to be around £5000 my bio sculpture course is £1014 but I will get some products and my machine I’ve already got my pedicure bits so it’s just buying my stock of bio sculpture polished then I hope to make my money back and up make sure my cabin is insulated and everything I can’t wait I will sent you photos and obviously I’ve got to get my desk towels chairs and so on your daughter has done so amazing aswell xx

You're welcome!
Setting up isn't cheap is it?!
I'd love to see photos as you go along! Good luck with it all xx
 
You're welcome!
Setting up isn't cheap is it?!
I'd love to see photos as you go along! Good luck with it all xx
Thankyou so much I will keep you posted along the way thankyou for all your advice I really appreciate it xxx
 
If you are struggling to pay for equipment or training maybe send me a PM. I'm the community manager and we're essentially like kickstarter but for careers not companies. You can start a campaign there to raise money for your training, any questions I'd be happy to help!
 
If you are struggling to pay for equipment or training maybe send me a PM. I'm the community manager and we're essentially like kickstarter but for careers not companies. You can start a campaign there to raise money for your training, any questions I'd be happy to help!
Hi thankyou so much fir your message that would be great I will inbox you x
 
If you are struggling to pay for equipment or training maybe send me a PM. I'm the community manager and we're essentially like kickstarter but for careers not companies. You can start a campaign there to raise money for your training, any questions I'd be happy to help!

How are you regulated?
 

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