Losing my confidence - again!

[NailsXpress]

Hi, Been working in a salon for about 7 months now. Had to speed up from 1 and 1/2 hours to do a full set, to just 1 hour. I managed it and was very pleased with myself. As was my boss. But, every now and again, I get moaned at for lifting on nails. I am never shown these nails, they always seem to be after I have worked at one of our other salons or when someone has popped in on my day off. Whether they are just trying in to push me harder, or knock me down when I do well, I dont know. I keep within my times, work hard, have not had any time off since starting with them etc. But when I got knocked back I just lose my confidence again and wonder why I am there. Now I cant make my mind up as to whether to go it alone mobile, find another salon (more than likely self employed these days) or just go back to being a secretary and do nails in my spare time. They hire and fire so often, none of us are exactly happy there (hairdressers included), but it is a job and they are hard to come by. What do you all think I should do?

 

[nikinoodle]

Aww hun that sounds like a nightmare, I would cry (literally) if someone told me to do a full set in an hour.

What is your gut feeling, you have to do what is right for you :hug::hug:

 

[amyjade]

Fist off well done for your speed, it took me ages to get down to an hour, secondly if its only a few, say one in 10, who are having trouble with their nails lifting chances are its something they're doing to cause it so ask them to come in when you're in so that you can talk to them and even if it is something you're doing to cause it, by talking to them it will only make you better. If i was you, i'd stay there until you had more confidence which only comes with experience then leave and go mobile but if you're really unhappy just leave. Another job will come along.

 

[tigi]

Well, why not be more proactive about these lifting nails? Have a word with whoever it is in the salon who is reporting these lifted nails back to you and ask them to take a few pics on their phone or salon camera (if you have one) so that you can see them . tell them that you are concerned to be getting lifting , and that the only way you think you can improve is to see them first hand, or as that seems to not be possible, via a picture.

This way you can see where the lifting is occuring (if there is any of course) and will hopefully put an end to your confidence being knocked.

Jobs are hard to come by, but , you sound like a good employee and a dedicated nail tech, I am sure that there are other jobs in your area. Why not get your cv done and do some leg work. I am sure something will come up! Best of luck to you hon. Chin up and onwards and upwards eh? You deserve to be happy and if at the end of the day, if you are not happy there, then you have every right to go out there and find a salon that will make you happy.


tigi
xxxxxxxx

 

[NailsXpress]

Hi Tigi,
I have asked to see the nails in question, or pics of them. My boss says it is not possible! She wont even tell me the names of the people concerned. This leads me to think it is not true. I have been very careful since the last time (a few months ago) they told me about it. I dont get any acrylic on the skin, cuticles etc. The only lifting I have seen lately has been on very young girls who have been to proms lately. Their nails were very oily and very bitten etc. It was so obvious their nails would not be staying on by the way they treat them. After thinking about it last night, I think it may be because I mentioned to the salon owner that I would like to introduce Minx into the salon and she is very keen, pleased with my enthusiasm. I think it may boil down to the old green monster - Jealousy! I am going to start looking elsewhere now. Other salons will more than likely want me, now that Christmas is coming up shortly.

 

[Unique Nails09]

God, what a horrible place to work! It seems to me that they are trying to knock your confidence and if you are constantly being told that your work isn't up to scratch you are going to end up losing all your confidence and your work will be affected.

I had a similar experience at my previous place of employment - my former colleague took over the business and she wanted to be known as the worlds best nail tech (in my opinion) as she began to criticize my work, telling me that certian customers no longer wanted to come to me as they thought that she was better, she would tell me off for the slightest thing in front of clients and would often text me in the morning to tell me not to come to work as she could not afford my wages (on these days I was fully booked an would easily make my meagre wages plus a hefty profit for her). She would be rude to me somedays, then the next day be my best pal - this left me constantly on edge all the time, it made me nervous doing my customers as I began to believe i was inferior to her and my nails were not up to her level (all rubbish) and my general performance was on a slippery slope.

In the end I thought enough is enough and I enquired at some local hairdressers if they had room for me to rent a desk. I found one salon who bought the desk for me and now charge me £30 a day or 25% of my takings whichever is the greater amount. It didn't cost me much to set up, around £700 for basic products and my drill. It was suprisingly easy to set up a business account, get insurance and set up my card machine.

Its fantastic, i'm in charge of buying my products, who i book in, what hours i work etc etc. I'm well respected by the hairdressers and its a lovely environment to work.

Would you consider doing the same - its the best thing i've ever done. Now i'm doing my finest nails and have loads of confidence, you cannot let other people drag you down as many will try to to make themselves look better

Good luck!

Charlotte

 

[NailsXpress]

Hi charlotte,
Thanks so much for your comments. You have hit the nail on the head. I am looking at setting up on my own now. It is a bit scary though as I am the only one working at the moment. Hubby got laid off. I have all my own kit so could even work from home mobile. I will have to find out about insurance and tax etc though. I have even been told by my boss that I cannot do nails in my own time whilst I am working for them. She said if I was found to be doing nails on my days off then I would be fired!! I am not taking any of their clients, nor intend to do so. I have already had to speak to the Manchester Employment Rights Service about holidays (or lack of them). I now have almost all my holidays booked for this year. I may however leave before taking them, so will have to fight to get paid for them instead. Anyway, looking ahead, looking at moving on, getting some confidence back. I wont give up fighting, I like this industry too much!!!

 

[An*Gel]

I have 8 years experience in nails and I can do a set in an hour... if I HAVE to... but I take an hour and a half most of the time.

You need this time as the consultataion and prep work are so important.

I've always worked for myself and LOVE it.

If clients come back with lifting or breakages you need to see the nails and then learn from your mistakes... how can you do that when you're just being told about it and can't see for yourself.

I don't rate the place you work in to be honest if all they are interested in is your speed.

I'd speed myself right outta there promto:hug:

You know you can do it!!!!..... you'll be so much happier and I don't think you'll regret it.

Either go mobile.. work from home or just rent a space, either way you'll be your own boss... go on go for it:hug::hug:

 

[Unique Nails09]

Ah good for you! They don't deserve you as an employee - I cannot believe people can be like that!

Anyway, its really simple setting up - I went to Natwest to open a business account (took 30mins) it doesn't even matter if you have a poor credit rating (i did!!). Then the bank arranged for someone to phone me regarding the insurance (set that up over phone its only £13.00 a month as sole trader) and they also set up the card machine.

I was the same as my partner had been made redundant at the time of me setting up - but it gave me more push to make it work and more time (he stayed at home looking after the little one - freedom!!!)

Anyway good luck, you sound like you've made up your mind. What a load of tossers.

xxx

 

[Unique Nails09]

P.s forgot to say - You only have to pay tax when you've earned over a certain amount I think about 5 or 6 thousand each year. And you only have to pay something like £2.90 a week National Insurance!!!!

 

[Missy G]

Hi charlotte,
Thanks so much for your comments. You have hit the nail on the head. I am looking at setting up on my own now. It is a bit scary though as I am the only one working at the moment. Hubby got laid off. I have all my own kit so could even work from home mobile. I will have to find out about insurance and tax etc though. I have even been told by my boss that I cannot do nails in my own time whilst I am working for them. She said if I was found to be doing nails on my days off then I would be fired!! I am not taking any of their clients, nor intend to do so. I have already had to speak to the Manchester Employment Rights Service about holidays (or lack of them). I now have almost all my holidays booked for this year. I may however leave before taking them, so will have to fight to get paid for them instead. Anyway, looking ahead, looking at moving on, getting some confidence back. I wont give up fighting, I like this industry too much!!!

Whats it gotta do with her what you do on your day off???