Self employment advice please!:)

[immybeauty]

Hi everyone, I am fully qualified beauty therapist with 3 years experience and have been worked (employed) in 2 different salons. I’m struggling finding the right place for me. I am keen to go off on my own and I am debating renting a room somewhere where I could offer the treatments that I want and be my own boss! The only problem is, the first salon I worked at really pushed spa treatments/facials/massage (something I don’t particularly enjoy and wouldn’t offer myself) I left this job after 2.5 years to move to somewhere I thought would do a lot more “beauty” (waxing, lashes, nails etc) I was assured this would be the case but unfortunately the salon is SO quiet they can only get clients in for me by posting massage & facial offers! so I’ve ended up no better off which has been really frustrating and inspired me to try self employment… due to the salons I’ve been working at I have very few regular clients, only 1 or 2 that I know would definitely come with me. So my main question is: how do I go self employed with little-no clients?!? Is it possible?? any advice is really appreciated!

 

[TheDuchess]

Hi inmybeauty
It’s certainly possible to start building a business from scratch but not for the faint hearted. You need to be red hot on sales skills and able to build a stellar internet presence.

It also depends on your competition. Most areas are awash with same same salons so ask yourself what would be your point of difference besides not offering treatments you don’t like. Is there a gap in the market? What would your ideal client look like very specifically? Build a very clear picture of a “typical” client, age, gender, interests, married or single? Kids? What sort of time of day would they want to book? Where would it suit them to visit? It’s not enough to say “my client is anyone who needs waxing and other visual treatments”. You need to have a match in terms of parking/traffic congestion, nearby businesses of interest, handy for home/work.

My first location was a bit grotty and had a near permanent queue of traffic in front. It was on a University bus route. I realised that I probably looked quite cheap and would probably appeal to students so I put up large windows stickers saying “intimate waxing, lashes, pedicures” and my phone number and never looked back. People were booking when they were on the bus!

I’d also suggest starting part time- even if you have to rent a space full time and leave it closed for 2-3 days a week whilst you have a sideline to earn some reliable cash.

Before you take this step ask yourself if your skills are ready? It doesn’t sound like you’ve had a great deal of post qualification practice and “nurturing”. There is quite a difference between a competent therapist and a confident but inexperienced therapist.

As well as bringing your therapist skills to expert level take this time to fine tune your rapport building skills. Talk to each client and check their records - are they new to the salon? Are they new to the area? Where have they been before? What do they usually have when they visit a salon? Remember that not many people have spare cash to treat themselves in January, these could be your perfect conversion opportunity. It’s a good news story that your salon are happy to invest in a new staff member and promote new services. Everyone likes a successful business - they may be open to returning for something else.

Make sure everyone knows that you are new to the salon from a place that specialises in Spa services and looking to build up your regulars in general beauty basics. I trained my staff to find out one personal fact from each client and recommend one product and one service. We made a note so that each return visit built up our relationship. Always recommend another treatment they could return for. “Your poor feet/hands! I do a lovely pedicure/manicure” or “have you thought about getting your brows professionally tinted and shaped? It would really enhance your eyes”. You get the idea.

 

[Ashley Blakemore]

I have been working for 18 years and worked at 3 different salons before I took the jump and worked for myself…I couldn’t go back!
I did it slowly while still working, this gave me the time to build up my own client base and when I felt the time was right I left my job and worked for myself full time.
I must say I work from home so I don’t have the stress of rent/finding space but once you’ve got that link with a client they will follow you.

I would look into Treatwell and other booking systems and set up a google business account to get seen.
Pick things you want to do, and it will never feel like work….keep us updated

 

[immybeauty]

Hi inmybeauty
It’s certainly possible to start building a business from scratch but not for the faint hearted. You need to be red hot on sales skills and able to build a stellar internet presence.

It also depends on your competition. Most areas are awash with same same salons so ask yourself what would be your point of difference besides not offering treatments you don’t like. Is there a gap in the market? What would your ideal client look like very specifically? Build a very clear picture of a “typical” client, age, gender, interests, married or single? Kids? What sort of time of day would they want to book? Where would it suit them to visit? It’s not enough to say “my client is anyone who needs waxing and other visual treatments”. You need to have a match in terms of parking/traffic congestion, nearby businesses of interest, handy for home/work.

My first location was a bit grotty and had a near permanent queue of traffic in front. It was on a University bus route. I realised that I probably looked quite cheap and would probably appeal to students so I put up large windows stickers saying “intimate waxing, lashes, pedicures” and my phone number and never looked back. People were booking when they were on the bus!

I’d also suggest starting part time- even if you have to rent a space full time and leave it closed for 2-3 days a week whilst you have a sideline to earn some reliable cash.

Before you take this step ask yourself if your skills are ready? It doesn’t sound like you’ve had a great deal of post qualification practice and “nurturing”. There is quite a difference between a competent therapist and a confident but inexperienced therapist.

As well as bringing your therapist skills to expert level take this time to fine tune your rapport building skills. Talk to each client and check their records - are they new to the salon? Are they new to the area? Where have they been before? What do they usually have when they visit a salon? Remember that not many people have spare cash to treat themselves in January, these could be your perfect conversion opportunity. It’s a good news story that your salon are happy to invest in a new staff member and promote new services. Everyone likes a successful business - they may be open to returning for something else.

Make sure everyone knows that you are new to the salon from a place that specialises in Spa services and looking to build up your regulars in general beauty basics. I trained my staff to find out one personal fact from each client and recommend one product and one service. We made a note so that each return visit built up our relationship. Always recommend another treatment they could return for. “Your poor feet/hands! I do a lovely pedicure/manicure” or “have you thought about getting your brows professionally tinted and shaped? It would really enhance your eyes”. You get the idea.

Thank you so much for your advice!

 

[immybeauty]

I have been working for 18 years and worked at 3 different salons before I took the jump and worked for myself…I couldn’t go back!
I did it slowly while still working, this gave me the time to build up my own client base and when I felt the time was right I left my job and worked for myself full time.
I must say I work from home so I don’t have the stress of rent/finding space but once you’ve got that link with a client they will follow you.

I would look into Treatwell and other booking systems and set up a google business account to get seen.
Pick things you want to do, and it will never feel like work….keep us updated

Thank you for replying! The only problem I have with that is that the few salons I’ve worked at have been very strict on “stealing clients” so I’m not sure I would be able to set up on my own as well as working at a salon?

 

[Ashley Blakemore]

Thank you for replying! The only problem I have with that is that the few salons I’ve worked at have been very strict on “stealing clients” so I’m not sure I would be able to set up on my own as well as working at a salon?

Every salon has this rule, clients will go where they want..no salon owns those clients though. It really annoys me this rule!

Salon owners are not going to like this but I believe if a client likes you and you move, then that client should be given the chance to stay and find a new therapist or move with you.
I’ve been to a few hair salons, got to know a hairstylist and how they do my hair, only to find they’ve “disappeared” and the owner won’t tell me where they’ve gone and then given me some random stylist. Yes they possibly could be better but I hate that in this industry the clients have no say!

Beauty is like a revolving door, you loose a client but then the next week you gain another.

If I were you I would try something part time and slowly build it up, tell your boss that you’re doing “mobile” for extra money and tell your close clients who you can trust. Eventually you will leave and your clients will tell their friends etc. It’s horrible to feel trapped at work and we should all just support each other rather than bad mouthing and treating staff like numbers just for money!

It a salon is good, and treats it’s staff well and clients are happy it will succeed. Staff wouldn’t need to leave and “steal” clients

 

[immybeauty]

Every salon has this rule, clients will go where they want..no salon owns those clients though. It really annoys me this rule!

Salon owners are not going to like this but I believe if a client likes you and you move, then that client should be given the chance to stay and find a new therapist or move with you.
I’ve been to a few hair salons, got to know a hairstylist and how they do my hair, only to find they’ve “disappeared” and the owner won’t tell me where they’ve gone and then given me some random stylist. Yes they possibly could be better but I hate that in this industry the clients have no say!

Beauty is like a revolving door, you loose a client but then the next week you gain another.

If I were you I would try something part time and slowly build it up, tell your boss that you’re doing “mobile” for extra money and tell your close clients who you can trust. Eventually you will leave and your clients will tell their friends etc. It’s horrible to feel trapped at work and we should all just support each other rather than bad mouthing and treating staff like numbers just for money!

It a salon is good, and treats it’s staff well and clients are happy it will succeed. Staff wouldn’t need to leave and “steal” clients

I completely agree! It seems so petty that you have to keep where you’re going quiet!