How much holiday do you take when working for yourself?

[littlekate]

Hi guys,

I am just writing this thread as I usually only take 2 whole weeks holiday a year and a few odd days off here and there but this year a friend and I are trying to plan a holiday to thailand as a mini travel adventure (somehting I have always wanted to do) but I am a little concerned as to what my clients will think of me going off for 3 weeks I know I should do what I want to with my life, thats why we r self employed in the first place, but I don't want to risk losing clients and risking my hard earned business. I think I am probably worrying to much and should start thinking of myself more (I always put everyone else b4 me) I just wondered what all your thoughts are and whether you would do it?

Thanks in advance xx

 

[persianista]

3 weeks won't kill off your clientelle. You might lose the odd one if they go elsewhere and like it, but that is not reason enough to not have your trip.

 

[Martin Duffy]

I take a fortnight's holiday twice a year, and a few days off here & there. I find so long as you tell them in advance they're normally fine. A few people might moan but ultimately you earn money to live, not the other way round, so go on your trip & enjoy it - you've earnt it!!!

 

[collin]

Holiday's :lol::lol::lol::lol:

 

[kimi1101]

ive just started up and i think this year i will take a few days off just to see how the girls get on in the salon without me...but next year itll be 2 weeks in the summe. think it does your clients well to know thats just what u take. we all need a good holiday!!!!!

 

[leonnib]

been thinking about go about a holiday myself... but 3 weeks should be fine you still have to live..

 

[WAX inc]

hi. clients will moan even if you take a day off in my experience so go and enjoy your holiday. i made the mistake of only taking 1 week off per year for 5 years and ended up burning myself out. I woke up one day and rang my receptionist and told her to cancel all my appointments for the next 6 weeks as i needed time out. bit drastic i know but i didnt loose any clients, they all went somewhere else while i was away but they all came back .

 

[Home Salon]

One of the beauties of being self-employed is having the freedom to take vacations whenever you want rather than being dictated to by your boss. As long you have told your regular customers that you are taking a holiday then they won't be concerned or think about bringing their business elsewhere.

 

[FlawlessBeauty]

Just as long as you let them know in advance they should be fine. You'll probably get the occasional moaning minnie though, ha ha.

I take holidays when i want to and the clients work around me.

If you want to, you can work extra hours before and after your holiday, but by no means feel that you have to. It is your personal choice.

Everybody deserves a holiday. Have a brilliant time xx

 

[kezza*]

Thailand id lovely I went there last year,,,,,, Your clients will understand and you'll find that they will book in before you go so it lasts when you get back,,,,,,I wouldn't worry you'l only have the odd client who will moan but you can't please everyone and if you don't go to Thailand who knows you may never get the chance to go again.

 

[littlekate]

Thanks for all your replies! I knew I was worrying too much, I always do! I have booked my trip!! Soooo excited!!! I definately need to focus on me more from now on.

 

[Lynne Baker]

I'd love to take a few days off, but the mortgage company gets really sniffy about it!

 

[hippy-chick]

You all need to get a life! Blimey! I take 6 weeks paid holidays a year, and over the summer holidays I work half the hours.

I became self employed for the job to work around my family not my family work around my job. Once my son is in secondary school and more independant I will increase my hours.

I only pay myself a set wage weekly and this covers good times, bad times and holidays.

sometimes when the work is pouring in and I'm earning 3 times as much as I normally do (not very often I grant you), I still only take the same amount of wage out, this will then go towards holiday pay and snow-times.

 

[Lynne Baker]

Once I earn enough to do so I'll take time off, but I'm not there yet!

 

[hippy-chick]

Once I earn enough to do so I'll take time off, but I'm not there yet!

Am not having a go at anyone Lynne. I've been building this gradually since I trained 18 years ago. I don't work full time hours, not whilst my son is primary school age, and I work on my business at home when not at either of my venues.
Work is quiet at the moment, and the first week of January I took off as unpaid leave as it was my decision to cancel all work because of adverse weather conditions.

But, rather than spend every penny your business takes, plough it back into the business and take a % for yourself.

 

[Lynne Baker]

Sorry, Ann, didn't mean to sound sharp with you!
I take very little out of my business and I too have a snow fund, but I'm learning new stuff all the time so I use a lot of money on that. I start a PTLLS course tonight, and I've just done Threading, and I've got baby massage coming up, and Nouveau Lashes too! Phew!
I've only been in business for two years so I guess it's to be expected that you work your tail off to build it up, and I need to earn a "proper" wage rather than a second income.
Here's to part time working!