Stuck with a part time job and want to do full time.

[Inked_Skin]

I know we all probably get down now and again but I'm stuck in a rut. Whilst in the process of setting up my own business, I work part time hours (20) to earn abit of an income. They are always ringing me asking if I can do over time on the actual day and they know I want full time work and it's getting me so down, I feel like they are taking me for granted.

The way I am thinking is do I quit my job to put all my effort into making my business come alive or do I continue and feel miserable about it.

I don't mean to sound nosey but are mobile therapists out there making a good income, or are the one's that rent place see a better income?

Thanks for the help x

 

[CherryBeauty]

Hi sorry to hear you are feeling down - sometimes we all have days like that - I was really hacked off one day last week but then the next day a client cheered me right up and I was back on form.

I am mobile at the moment. I started my business in November last year and to be honest its tough. When you don't have a salon you don't have any passing trade so you have to think of other ways of drumming up business. I tried advertising in newspapers, and got nowhere. Instead I use social networking sites to promote my corporate image and my business and I am effectively using my clients as my salespeople. ie - they are happy with the service, they promote you to their friends and family and colleagues. The only prob with this is that word of mouth takes a while. Every Friday and Saturday I am booked out from morning to night. I am currently focussing on tanning and nails and the business I get from that is certainly growing very steadily. Early and mid week are quiet so that's where I need to focus my attention now and maybe look for stay home mum pamper parties or corporate work or something.

The long and short of it is that I wouldn't be able to run my mobile business and support myself and my daughter with her nursery fees if we didn't have my lovely husband bringing home his salary to add to the pot.

Hope this helps in some way..... and hope you feel more positive again soon.

Sharon xx

 

[Inked_Skin]

Thank you

I'm supporting myself, I don't live with my boyfriend are we aren't in that situation where we put our wages together...yet lol.

xx

 

[kimi1101]

from experience...don't rely on anyone money wise. best off if you can look after yourself, esp when starting up until you have some steadycash coming in. good luck x

 

[susieb]

Hi there, just though id share a few thoughts with you . Ive been in the industry 30 odd years and have both worked for others and had my own salons . Its not an easy profession to make a lot of money in but once you have built your clientele its a steady income and can see you through all sorts of life changes . I too support myself now although I must admit when i started in business i did have the support of my then husband . I currently work as a sales rep in the industry as the salary is higher than working in a salon but having said that i do have a small clientele at home which helps a little . I think the key is to be as flexible as possible and if you can build up your own clientele ( and it does take quite a while these days as so many people are doing it ) plus have a regular income from part time work then you possibly have the best of both worlds as its hard being self employed if you have no back up .On my first day at beauty college all those years ago, the lecturers first words were ''if your here to make a lot of money you may aswell leave now '' ..i wish i had listened ! Having said that , I love the industry and ive never really wanted to do anything else so maybe the thing to do is keep your options as open as possible and always be on the look out for new opportunities . Good luck x

 

[debbie18]

Hi, I know how you feel. I started out as mobile in December last year and have had 2-3 clients per week, which I know isn't a lot but was from word of mouth and free advert on Yell, so was quite pleased. However it has now gone really quiet and some have decided not to continue with nails etc. I have a part time job also which I rely on to pay the bills but it doesn't help that this is at the end of the week, when most people like to have their nails done, so I'm only available in the evening and then it gets quite tiring. I had a wobble last week and wondered what it was all about, but you've got to keep going. I'm going to be dropping some flyers off at bridal shops in the hope this creates more business. You're not alone, but hang in there!

 

[Inked_Skin]

Thanks you all for the kind comments

 

[Unique Nails09]

I agree, its horrendous trying to build a business from scratch, i have been desperately trying to build up a client base for the last 12 months since working for myself and it takes time, word of mouth is the best form of advertising, but i agree with a previous post about facebook - its free and you can request the friendship of as many people as you like, they can in turn look at your pics, you can put special offers on there etc.

Business is slow still since this economic downturn, and i think it'll be awhile yet until people start spending their money again, but there are many die hard fans of nails and beauty who will eat beans on toast for a week in order to afford having their nails done!

 

[Violet Star]

Like all others had said its very hard to build a business! You need determination and some cash to keep you going until your on a steady basis with your business. It takes allot for clients to trust you and come back to you.

I am currently mobile and home based and doing ok....nothing special but thats just because im in the process of getting my leaflets done for my advertising the only clients i am getting at the moment are my regulars.
So i have a part time job in a kids play centre near me and a Saturday night job in a pub. This is my sideline cash to keep me going until my business becomes secure.

Renting out a beauty room in a salon can be very popular as there is passing trade but this involves paying a weekly rent to the salon owner which can range anything from £50-£150 per week sometimes more!

I currently have an offer to rent a room out in my local hairdressers which i shall be doing very soon for £50 a week which is very reasonable.

Hths x

 

[geeg]

I beg to differ with some of the comments made here.

From my own experience in the salon and running a good and profitable business, I can tell you that I made plenty in the salon and it was Nails Only.

I know many others that are supporting their families on their salon income alone and supporting them well.

It can be done .. of course it can be done .. it all depends on your initial funding and your commitment to first making and then running a BUSINESS.

Of course one person can only do so much on their own, but there are many other options in the nail business than running just a one man band.

 

[angelnailz]

Hi there

I, like you worked part time but took the leap to full time nails about 18 months ago. I did think about going mobile but it made more sense to me to work from home for many reasons. It took a while and a bit of financial commitment at the start but I do very well. I`m busier than ever even in this economic climate but I have worked very hard to make my business a sucess...failure was not an option. If you are looking to be your own boss why not start from mobile/home and also try and get a couple of days in a salon? at least that way you have a bit of guaranteed income and even better you get to do nails, this will also help you gain confidence, perfect customer service skills etc? Good luck :hug:

 

[Inked_Skin]

Who changed the thread title? I don't want to do full time nails, but beauty therapy as whole!