I think, as some one has already said, that this doesn't boil down to part or full time hours, I think it's more to do with flexibility. Most of my ladies book between 9-5, if I suddenly decided to switch to just evening appointments then yes I couldn't fulfill my commitment to them as I simply wouldn't be able to offer them a service that they require in the time they require it, however if from the outset I say this is what I can offer, this is my commitment to you and stick to it, then I don't see a problem with being part time. I think the beauty of this industry is there are many different technicians out there offering different hours and days, that it enables customers to be able to pick a service that suits them. Not many industries can boast this.
I don't believe for one minute that part timers are there to just do the job and get the pay check at the end, I think that's quite a presumption to make because whether you are part time or full time, this mentality still goes on.
Often many of us begin part time with the view to build a successful business to be able to work full time.
I personally offer Monday to Sunday appointments, with no set hours, but I do say that my last appointment is no later than 7:30pm. I began as mobile but recently added my home salon and mainly offer this now. One of the reasons I now work from home is because I was turning work down, something I didn't want to do but had no choice because I car share with my husband. I didn't have enough work to warrant the cost of a second car being bought at that time and my husbands shift patterns were so dramatically changed that it had an impact on my business meaning I had no choice (as he is the main earner) but to adapt my business. However, my home salon has meant that besides the school run in the morning and afternoon I can work at any time. Those clients that still need to be on a mobile basis understand my limitations and either choose to come to me or wait for the an appointment. They could go elsewhere but chose to remain with because I give a good service.
I think if you choose to work part time, I think you need to be honest with clients. These are the hours I work, the days I can do. I think it boils down to managing client expectations for availability. That said you could be full time, booked solid and not be able to fit someone in when they require.
I do think that part time, commitment and service can very much be applied to each other. Full time hours does not guarantee commitment or great service, the technician does that.
I think we all know that our businesses aren't just about the physical hours we perform treatments, so much goes on in the background. Advertising, accounts, research, training etc etc. So even when we regard ourselves as part time, often this is not the case.
I do believe that we all need to find a work life balance that suits us individually, it's not always easy to find that balance but it can be done. I also have a commitment to the family I have, which sometimes means that my family has to come first and that sometimes means in order to maintain my family life I have to miss out on family events in order to work. I'm in no way less committed to my family or my job, I'm trying to live my life the best way that I can and provide for the two men in my life
On a final note whether I chose to work part time or full time, I would have chosen exactly the same road when it comes to training and bought exactly the same products for my treatments. So looking at the service aspect of this debate I would offer exactly the same high level of service regardless of how many physical hours I work.
