stuck in a rut

[zeldana]

hay everyone i realy need some advice, i have been working in a salon (self employed) for 5 mounths now in east sussex and in that time i have had no more then 6 clients a week some weeks i have none it may be because of the area ad that there are 2 salons offering nail treatments as well as where i am, but im not making the money i need im payed on a 60/40% wage but after products and petrol its not much at all, i always feel realy out of pocket, what should i do should i just stick at it and hope things will pick up or should i bite the bullet and find myself a little shop somewhere and do it on my own,

i realy need sum advice as im realy stressed as i cant make the money i need to get bye.

plz help xxxxxx:sad:

 

[Scratchers]

Well there are a few things you could try if you already haven't hun have a couple of open evenings do pamper evenings in the salon for groups of business women in you area, what are you charging compared to the other salons what special offers do you do, are you in a hair salon where you can offer mini manicures whilst they are having rheir hair done???

 

[Cathie!]

I think you need to do some marketing....even if you had your own wee shop you would still have to market it and your overheads are surely cheaper now than ifyou had a salon...I'd say try marketing what you have before you make the plunge.

 

[zeldana]

well its a beauty salon, i dont own it and im only there to do nails basicly they get the clients and ring me when there is a booking, its a bit poop i no i think the woman that employed me only wants me there to make her money i also haft to pay my own tax an nat insurance it wouldent be that bad if it was full time, they just dont have alot of clients coming in

 

[Urban Geek]

You need to be out there getting the clients yourself and not relying on the salon to do that for you. Get some flyers printed and get out there distributing them.

Do you have a website?

What do you currently do to promote yourself?

I also thing that 40% of your takings when you are providing all your own products, etc, is far too high. Try and renegotiate that.

 

[zeldana]

You need to be out there getting the clients yourself and not relying on the salon to do that for you. Get some flyers printed and get out there distributing them.

Do you have a website?

What do you currently do to promote yourself?

I also thing that 40% of your takings when you are providing all your own products, etc, is far too high. Try and renegotiate that.

thanks alot for your advice ill have a word with my boss i think my prob is i to nice some times ill let you all no how i get on thanks

 

[laurajagreen]

Yeah I would get out there and market the nail services for your self, Why dont you consider renting the space rather than giving her a percent of your profits, You should take your own booking make it a more personal service, What about doing special offers (you could let the customers you do have have a free pedicure ect if they can put forward 5 new customers that way they have an incentive and its easy custom). Try putting some free adds online if you dont want to spend alot on advertising, Yell, Thomson Local ect all offer free adds and they are very effective!
Good luck and make sure you update us!!

Laura

 

[jac extreme]

If your providing your own products then I think you should be getting a better percentage say 70/30 to you.

 

[zeldana]

well i had a quick word with my boss and she dident seem to happy, she said
"this is the way i have been doing thinks for years and ive never had any complaintes. we have a receptionest who takes bookings and i advertise the salon, you are only renting the space off me at a charge or 40% of what you earn im sorry but i cant afford to lower it, i hope this dosent poot you off working here."

i take it thats a bad answer??????

 

[Urban Geek]

You are paying 40% for them to promote you and take your booking but they aren't doing very much of either.

I would look into other places to rent with a bigger client potential. I like to promote myself and take my own bookings. It is great if where I am based promote me too but I wouldn't rely on them doing it effectively.

 

[zeldana]

i think i mite go elsewhere it seems like my boss only wants me there to benifit her so i dont feel valuied i mite start up at home or something ive always wanted to have my own little shop somewhere also my mum in full trained in beauty and aroma thearipy and said if i get a place shed come work with me well it wont hert to have a look around any one no where to start looking for a premises

 

[gemmamarie]

Zeldana I think that you have just made the decision for yourself darling!
sounds like a fantastic idea, and you will be responsible for all your own profits etc and will not have to rely on anyone!!
Why dont you offer a mobile service whilst you are looking for new premises, that is quite a cheap way to start.
Also a website is a great idea, mine is packed with info and is only £2.99 a month!! So it does not have to cost a fortune.
I only get my business cards when they are on special offer from a company called vistaprint, and then i put them EVERYWHERE. So my advertising does not really cost me too much

Good luck and pls let me know how you get on!!

 

[zeldana]

Zeldana I think that you have just made the decision for yourself darling!
sounds like a fantastic idea, and you will be responsible for all your own profits etc and will not have to rely on anyone!!
Why dont you offer a mobile service whilst you are looking for new premises, that is quite a cheap way to start.
Also a website is a great idea, mine is packed with info and is only £2.99 a month!! So it does not have to cost a fortune.
I only get my business cards when they are on special offer from a company called vistaprint, and then i put them EVERYWHERE. So my advertising does not really cost me too much

Good luck and pls let me know how you get on!!

thanks alot for your support ill let you no how it goes i think ill give mobile a go see if its me or not but then again i have the room at home to have a treatment room so i mite do a bit of both

thanks again

 

[Sassy Hassy]

May I also add that if you wait for the bookings to come in and then turn up you will never be as busy as someone who sits there full time even when there are no clients. if I was passing by and wanted an immediate appointment - and many people do - I'd go elsewhere if I was told I had to wait for you to be contacted and get to the salon... I'd want it NOW!

Also, if I am right from what you have said you are totally self employed so you need to make an effort to promote yourself. I think maybe you should have a chat with the salon owner again and ask her how she can help you bring in more business, after all it's in her interest for you to do well as she gets that lovely 40%!

If you want self employment to work then you have to put in a lot of effort yourself I'm afraid, but if you do then the rewards are magic. Good luck :hug:

 

[zeldana]

to be honest i dont understand why she wouldent want me giving out leaflets while i have nothing to, i dont understand any of it she seems a bit funny to me, in a way i think ill be more pushed to do something if it were my business, at home i have a room sitting there going to wast maby i should just set up at home at least then everything would be done my way and it would push me more, but i havent got a clue where to start, i mean im geting excited just tinking about it lol

 

[blossom]

I would leave asap, start up on your own, home or mobile hun :hug: You will be able to match 6 clients a week easily. I've never worked in a salon, I started mobile and now work from home, obv. no shop front, I spent quite a bit on marketing but you have to hun, if nobody knows you're there, nobody will come to you . . .


Go it alone, you won't regret it. I think you're paying her too much as well, let her try and get someone else

Good luck, you can do it xx

 

[zeldana]

I would leave asap, start up on your own, home or mobile hun :hug: You will be able to match 6 clients a week easily. I've never worked in a salon, I started mobile and now work from home, obv. no shop front, I spent quite a bit on marketing but you have to hun, if nobody knows you're there, nobody will come to you . . .


Go it alone, you won't regret it. I think you're paying her too much as well, let her try and get someone else

Good luck, you can do it xx

thanks that put a big smile on my face lol:green: