Newbie needing help please? Courses/commission x

[lisa82]

Sorry this is going to be long....
Hey I'm new here, stumbled on the site last night. I'm Lisa, 26 and work full-time as a stylist.
Basically the salon I've been working in for 4 years hired me as a trainee, I'd just finished my level 2. Unfortunatly instead of training me up, they basically stuck me on the floor. We never have a training night, it's like once every year or so, that's included a blow-dry night, a curly put-up, and one cut. I don't feel confident at bobs or advance cuts, although I still do them as they are booked in with me, but I don't do any put-ups.
I have decided to go on as many courses as possible and be the best I can, then maybe go freelance as I feel the salon is taking the mick outa me as I'm still on minimum wage plus 10% commission. Which wouldn't be so bad, but you have to hit a target of £900 or you don't get commission at all and it's quite a reasonably priced salon so it's a hard target to hit. I feel I would make alot more money going alone.
As I don't put hair up this is definatly one area I feel I need alot of training on.
I have booked for a Long hair-up course, and a Balmain Extension Wedding Hair Course. The thing is, I thought the long hair-up course was 1st and that I would be able to practice what I'd learned before doing the Wedding one with extensions, but I've just realized the wedding one is tomorrow!! I feel sick actually thinking about it! You don't need any experience putting in extensions, but I'm thinking I'm going to look daft as I can't put hair up.
Has anyone done this course? And is it difficult?
And any advice on my salon wages/commission would be appreciated, do all salons work like this?
Sorry for the ramble! Lisa x

 

[CAR2Y]

Hi Lisa,

I worked in the same salon for 5 years, starting off as an apprentice. I was on £6.14 an hour plus 10% commission over and above my wages. the target they are setting does seem very high especially in a reasonable priced salon. Although i enjoyed the time i was working in the salon i felt that i was doing alot more work than i was being paid for...i have been mobile for about three weeks now, which doesn't seem alot but it is the best thing i have ever done and i'm reeping the benefits already. The fact i had worked in the same place for a while alot of my clients have contacted me to do there hair at home.
I can't help you with the extension course, but i lacked confidence in hair up and went on a hair up course in dover run by keith graham academy and it was the best confidence booster...we started off basic and by the afternoon i was putting hair up by mself. i can find the details if your interested. Hope this helps Carly x

 

[lisa82]

Thanks for your reply Carly. I'm N.Ireland so don't fancy Dover, thanks though! That's great you are doing so well being mobile! Do you advertise much? I am definatly considering it, as I too feel like I'm bringing in much more than they apreciate me for. Not to mention I'm the only stylist on minimum wage, the other girls are on a higher basic wage and I bring in as much, if not more than the rest of them! That's why I feel like I want to go.
Do you have to travel far to your clients? One thing about my clients, I live about 13miles from the salon I'm in, so I'd have to travel quite a bit to get to al my clients if they weren't all near each other, if this makes sense? Do you get the clients to bend over sink to wash their hair? I do a few clients at home now and they seem happy enough to do this. Do you get nervous doing big colour jobs as you don't have as many colours etc as a salon stocks? Althouh saying that, my salon is forever running out of colours I don't think she realizes the amount of colours we do in the salon! Sorry for all the questions! x

 

[CAR2Y]

I realised that once i'd sent it sorry. I'm new to this site but finding it very interesting. So far i haven't advertised at all...it has all been word of mouth but i am looking to getting some business cards made up and fliers and possibly advertising in our local advertiser. I didnt want to lay out too much on advertising straight away. Most of my clients are quite local as i only worked about 5 miles from where i live...although i do travel to some people as far as about 20 miles. I am going to try and get some more people in the areas that are further out to make it more worthwhile...but when you first start out you just have to take all you can.
Most of my clients are happy to lean over a sink and i just use a jug to rinse there hair, some have shower heads in their baths so i also do it that way. I don't get nervous at all i always prefer to have atleast cut the persons hair before i colour it as you get and idea of the colours they have...this way i can discuss colours and pop to the suppliers ( we are lucky in ashford,kent that we have two very locally) before their next appointment. I tend to label colours with the persons name that way i know i have their colour in stock. I just always make sure i have enough bleach in stock as this is common. X

 

[lisa82]

I'm also finding lots of interesting stuff on here, as I said I'm new as of last night, and so far I'm completly addicted:lol:
Thank you for your help and I'm adding you as a friend :green: as I don't have any yet! haha x

 

[CAR2Y]

Me too i only joined last night. I am completely addicted to. Thankyou i will add you when i work out how to. Happy hairdressing x

 

[minky]

Hi, Lisa , I think think that the best thing you can for now is to do all your training courses until you are feeling nice and confident ,

Then after lots of practice you will be in a much stronger position to decide what you want to do ,
eg , when your boss sees that you are doing much better haircuts and better colour work
and when you get lots of clients asking for you ,
Then you can ask your boss for that salary increase that you deserve ,

So I would say yes get all your training done now
because you are also going to get to put it to good use and into good practice on all your incoming salon clientele ,

Then when you feel as though you are a good all round hairdresser and up to a decent speed on everything
and you are bringing in quite a few more clients ,
that is the time for you to ask your boss for a decent pay rise

as she would be really crazy to let you go ,

if she said no , (which I dont think she will ) you could aways think about going mobile then ,
but for now,
I think what you are doing by training up and practising loads first is an excellent idea

as this will work out far better for you whichever path you choose to take

Ps, welcome to salon geek Lisa and Cary :hug:

 

[minky]

Hi, here are some links link that may help with cutting and graduated bobs

WELLA PROFESSIONALS - TRAINING ONLINE - Basic Techniques - Cutting Techniques - Graduate Bob

YouTube - haircut video from wella classic bob

Wella Professionals - Training Online - - Home :hug:

 

[minky]

Hi, here is a nice easy french braid too
YouTube - ViewDo: How To French Braid Hair :hug:

 

[jrobinson]

Hi
Of course you wont look stupid going on a put up course not knowing how to do it - thats why everyone is there! everyone is in the same boat so dont worry.
I used to hate hair up and my boss sent me on a Patrick Cameron Course and in one afternoon my confidence was boosted. It is mainly practise with hair up as there is no right or wrong way
hth
x

 

[lisa82]

Thnks for the links guys!
Just gettting ready for my course, will let you know how it goes x
PS thanks for the welcome too x