Just re-starting home business

[classyclaws]

Hi all
I trained in Creatives L & P about 4 years ago, I worked from home for a few months, but unfortunately due to an extension I was unable to continue. Since then we have now moved and I now have a small room to work from. I am just looking for some tips and advice as I am fairly new to this, also should I reduce my prices to start off as I am bound to be a little slow to begin with, I was managing a full set with tips in around 1hr 35 mins before and I hope to be able to get to that time soon, is it acceptable to take that amount of time??
Also I am considering offering gels, but would need to train in this and am note sure of the best system to use so any advice, would again, be most welcome.
Thanks!!

 

[blossom]

Hi

I think that is a very acceptable time! By all means make an "introductory offer" to begin with but DON'T price yourself lower, it instills the idea that your skills are not that great. I work from home and charge much the same as the local salons, (more than some). It's easy to drop the price in the future if you need to, or to run special offers, but to raise the price considerably after realising you are too cheap is damn near impossible (I know, I did it!)

I've always said, I don't want people to come to me because I'm cheap, I want them to come because they like what I do. Clients who are attracted to you because you are cheaper will be off at the drop of a hat when they see someone cheaper still. plus if they're always strapped for cash they have no money for any retail items ie oils, creams, etc that they need and they will moan their heads off at paying for repairs etc.

Being at home, you'll need to market yourself a bit, ie ads, flyers, word of mouth is cheapest and best but takes a bit of time to build up, however, I find people will recommend you more if you offer them a discount next time to say thank you (tell them this in advance obviously!)

Yellow Pages and Thompson will give you a free lineage ad if you work from home too.

I'm sure you'll do really well, and I wish you the very best of luck. xx

 

[classyclaws]

Thanks for the info Blossom, this is a fantastic site, such a source of information. I wish I had this when I started doing nails a few years back, I would have made sure I got around the "room" problem. I prided myself on being one of the best in my area, I had started to get quite a few clients from other technicians and had lots of recommendations, I used to take it quite personally when people stopped using me though, silly I know, as mostly its a money thing, and when people are short then the luxuries have to go. Still here goes on my new venture!!

 

[tonilee]

Good luck local geek!!! Im just down the road if you ever want a geeky get together to practice and share tips give me a shout!!

:hug::hug::hug::hug::hug:

 

[classyclaws]

Thanks for that Toni - where in Coventry are you, I was born and bred there, came to Rugby about 15 years ago.

 

[sj1973]

Hi

I think that is a very acceptable time! By all means make an "introductory offer" to begin with but DON'T price yourself lower, it instills the idea that your skills are not that great. I work from home and charge much the same as the local salons, (more than some). It's easy to drop the price in the future if you need to, or to run special offers, but to raise the price considerably after realising you are too cheap is damn near impossible (I know, I did it!)

I've always said, I don't want people to come to me because I'm cheap, I want them to come because they like what I do. Clients who are attracted to you because you are cheaper will be off at the drop of a hat when they see someone cheaper still. plus if they're always strapped for cash they have no money for any retail items ie oils, creams, etc that they need and they will moan their heads off at paying for repairs etc.

Being at home, you'll need to market yourself a bit, ie ads, flyers, word of mouth is cheapest and best but takes a bit of time to build up, however, I find people will recommend you more if you offer them a discount next time to say thank you (tell them this in advance obviously!)

Yellow Pages and Thompson will give you a free lineage ad if you work from home too.

I'm sure you'll do really well, and I wish you the very best of luck. xx

Fantastic advice given here and i totally agree......going cheap is not always the best way to start off......it may put people off you.....

You can do special offers but dont undercut yourself.....your worth more than that hun....all the best for the future xxxx