Starting out!!

[Clarabell]

hey everyone!! have been lurker for a while- am qualified beautician and to be honest have only used it very little since i qualified. i work three days per week and have two kids- aged 3 and 1, recently circumstances have changed and i am now in a position were i am setting up at home and mobile when needed. i am still going to be working as well as the beauty as i need to have that quarenteed income at the minute,

was wondering if anyone else works around another job and if so how do they find it ?where are the best places to advertise (i live in northen ireland), what is the normal ratio between home and mobile?

i am also interested in doing a sculpted acrylic nail course through essential nails and was wondering if this kind of treatment made up a large part of your business?? it is quite expensive and obviously wth starting up and two kids - and santa just around the corner, i would like to get an idea if it is a worthwhile investment.

any help would be great!!!
thanks!
x

 

[Pink Lotus]

I have a 2 year old and work 2 days a week as well as running my spa room from home. I offer most treatments (although not gels/acrylics so can't help there I'm afraid) and just about manage OK. I only set up in June and it has been tough going to try and get clients in but you just keep going cos you have to - have invested a lot of my own money in this and want to give up the 2 day job to do this full time eventually.

Have leafleted and got about a 1% return, the best return I have had is from word of mouth through son's nursery, my sports massage lady and neighbours. Would also recommend local advertiser directories although you can pay £100 for an ad in those.
A website is a must and Vistaprint is a godsend for business cards etc.

Spray tanning, waxing and eyelash tinting have been quite lucrative for me so far.

What I would say is think VERY carefully about going mobile as I tried this at first and totally burnt myself out. Am not saying you shouldn't do it but being at home worked better for me.

Hope this helps a bit - sorry for long reply!

 

[Clarabell]

thanks for your reply!! nice to know i am not mad trying this when holding down another job. i have been putting cards in local shops with noticeboards and intend to do a drop round a few local estates. my oldest goes to nursery and i never thought of down there!!

i have not got the equipment for spray tanning as yet as i just dont have money yet- does it make up a lot of your business or enquiries? how much does it take to set up for spray tanning?

would love to do this full time especially when my youngest is the age for nursery so will just have to see how it goes!

x

 

[Pink Lotus]

It makes up quite a lot and has given me a couple of lead in's to other business. It costs about £400+ to get set up properly but if you can save up I would recommend it - however have a look at your area and if nails are more popular then go with that - best to work with the area you're in.
xx

 

[candice83]

I am new to the biz I am a nail technician and work full time in admin and do my nails from home around my job and study diploma beauty therapy 2 nights a week as well. I put up flyers around all the local community notice boards and that is where most of my response has come from. Eventually I would like to do this full time but I am averaging about 1-2 clients a week so It's a long way off for me. I did a flyer drop and that was about 1200 flyers and have had about 4 phone calls which is nothing, prefer the free advertising as I paid a local advertising company to hand these out.

Anyway good luck and hang in there x