Any tips on changing from salon to mobile?

[Dimples xx]

Hi,
I'm currently working as a nail technician in a beauty salon and after alot of thought I'd love to go mobile,would anyone have any tips for me on getting started,would be gratefull for any responses..

 

[shedunlop]

I think your question is a bit open. What was it you needed to know specifically, there is so much to talk about.

I did mobile for 10 years and would be happy to help you with advice but we need to start somewhere. What ideas have you had and have you done anything towards it yet? Will you just be doing nails? Nails are the easiest to do mobile as there is less equipment to carry.

Ask a few specific questions and you will get lots of replies! :biggrin:

 

[Dimples xx]

Thanks for your response. So far I'll be the only 1 in my area giving this service which I'm very pleased about,so am eager to get set up. I've also looked into the insurance side of it. Yes I'll just be sticking to the nails and spray tanning,then maybe down the line bring in the hairdressing or should I do both from the beginning,what do you think? Also I've been looking into getting business cards made up and thinking of setting up a website to display my work,I do agree theres so much to do. Didnt think there would be.

 

[shedunlop]

You sound as if you have done very well so far. Are you going to begin building up before you leave your job as it takes a while to get enough clients. If so you will need to check the details of your contract at work to make sure you are not in breach of that.

With regards to what treatments, then I would see what people are asking for so long as you have the equipment and products necessary to do the job professionally.

This is the tricky bit, the in between bit, you will reach a point where you don't have enough clients to be fully booked but you don't have enough time to fit anyone else in between your job and your own thing. At this point it is make your mind up time!

For every client that you get make sure you give them at least 3 cards each to offer to friends of theirs.

One of the main points though is to get your pricing right. Do not start off too cheap as you will regret it later. Price fairly but high enough to cover your costs and earn a living.

Any more questions just keep on asking! :biggrin:

 

[Dimples xx]

Well some of my regular clients said if I went mobile that they would prefer it as some of them find it hard getting into the salon due to work and children. As for building up regulars whilst still working in the salon,I still dont know what to do there..Would it be a wise decision to stay till I have or to get out there and promote myself?

At the moment I do a lot of art work,What would be a fair price when starting up as I dont want to frighten future clients..

Again thanks for advice

 

[shedunlop]

It is a tricky area taking clients from the salon where you work so you need to be very careful there you may be in breach of your contract as I said in my previous post and you could be sued. There is also a moral dilemma here.

As for prices, as I said before, charge the going rate otherwise you will regret it later when you are unable to put up your prices enough. There was a thread recently on here where someone went against the good advice given on this site regarding charging enough. The girl came back later and said she regretted it terribly and could not put her prices up enough now that she is better established.

Have a look around at other people doing art in your area and see what they are charging.

There is no easy way to build up a business, mobile or otherwise, it takes time and patience and a lot of hard work. :biggrin:

 

[Dimples xx]

Yes I will take all that on board what you've said,thanks..