training dilema. please advise

[harmonyholistic]

i have a bit of a dilema. i already have several level three qualifications in holistic therapies. these include. diploma in aromatherapy, diploma in indian head massage, diploma in reflexology and sports masage certificate and sports event massage.these i got nine years ago. i am currently doing a level two certificate in nail treatments manicure and pedicure.
i have been offered a place at my local college for level two beauty which i start in september which im really excited about. but my problem is that i need to start earning asap. so i plan to either rent a room in a local hair salon or go mobile or possibly both.
i am also in september doing a level two course in nail technology. i need to start earning because i would like to be able to move in with my boyfriend. september is the ideal time for me to start college because my youngest child will be starting full time school.
the problem is i cant afford to live with my bf because he earns a low income and things would be very hard for us i dont mind waiting the 18 months i have to but to wait 2 and a half years would be unbearable.
this is my situation.
what i would like to know is would this be enough qualifications for me to be able to start up a successful business or would i be better off waiting and doing level three beauty or could i manage without it. as all i would be doing is massage photographic makeup and facial and body electrics.
non of which i actually think i need.
the college has also said that i could do a course in hot stone massage. which i could do part time after i have finished my level two beauty. i also plan to learn semi permanant eyelashes and intimate waxing, both male and female. this i would do after i have completed my hot stones massage course and have my business off the ground
im just not sure what to do. do you think that combined with all my other qualifications that this would be enough.
we also have the opportunity to learn spray tan alongside the level two beauty
what do you guys think. do you think it is neccessary for me to do level three or will i already have enough qualifications. i also think it would be hard for me to get a job in a salon because of my age. i am 42. that is why i plan to work for myself

 

[muddi]

I work in a salon p/t and do mobile - I have diploma in holistic therapies also so you can get a job doing that and your massage, which is what I do. I also have manicure/pedicure/facials level 2. but I am at back at college to do a full level 2 beauty as I can offer these extra treatments to clients.

Dont let your age put you off, a lot of salons would prefer the more mature person, as often clients will be more relaxed around you etc. Write a letter/CV stating your qualifications etc and why you want to work in a salon and explain you are going back to college to gain extra training/learn new skills and keeping up to date with treatments and print off lots of copies and get round all your local salons..

ohh and I am 43 :green: and a single parent too, so it can be done!

Good luck with your new course etc x As for going onto level 3, see how you feel after level 2. I would definitely train in the spray tanning and lashes etc. In fact what ever your college can offer you, I would take it! lol - I know a lot of salons seem to favour therapists who have level 3, so may be worth doing? Depends if at the end of the day you work for yourself or want to work for a salon. I will be doing level 3 anyway, even though im self employed as I believe you can never have too much training or information about new treatments.

 

[shell b]

Hi i teach NVQ beauty etc, and i couldn't help notice you are taking on two NVQ level 2 quals. The truth is you really don't need both sounds a little like wanting bums on seats. You have posted in your thread that you need to be working alongside so you need as much time as possible.

If you came to me explaining the quals you have i would definatley recommend doing the NVQ Level 2 in Beauty Therapy as this offers a wide variety of new skills which includes manicures and pedicures anyway. The nail technology qual also offers these 2 units so you don't need to be taught that again. The only units you are missing out on is Nail enhancement this can be done by claiming an NVQ unit accreditation as can semi permanant lash extensions, facial and body electrics, hot stone massage and much more.

If you need some more advise PM me with quals you have already done and what treatments you are wanting to learn i will gladly advise you on your route of study.

If you are also struggling to attend college on a full time or part time basis there are also fast track study options availiable. Have a look on our website for an example there may be something offering that option in your area or you may think it is worth you whike to travel. www.vibebeautytraining.com

Hope this helps. Good luck with your study :lol:http:// http:// www.vibebeautytraining.com

 

[harmonyholistic]

thank you for the advise it has been very encouraging. i havent done any beauty training for the last nine years. but after doing a course in cake decorating i realised that it just wasnt for me. so i applied to my local college to do level 2 nail technology. i was refused a place on this course but instead i was offered a place on the manicure and pedicure course and i was told that it would improve my chances next year of getting a place on the nail technology course i was also told that i could accredit some parts of the first corse towards my nail tech course. then learn just nail enhancements and nail art to get the level 2 nail tech qualification.
i have noticed that all the ladies who where refused a place on the nail tech course where mature ladies and that all the ones that got a place on the nail tech where young fresh girls. even after doing man and ped it is still not guaranteed that i will get a place for nail tech next year.
anyway whilst doing the man and ped i have been bitten by the beauty bug and have decided that i woul;d really like to do level two beauty. i realised that i had too much tunnel vision before and only concentrated on holistics which will always be my biggest passion. this time i have applied to the same college as i did my holistics with ( there is two colleges in my town that do beauty ) and they where over the moon to see me back wanting to do more. i also knew that they are much fairer than the one that i am doing my man and ped with when it comes to mature students. they have offered me a full time place on there course and as the man and ped is vtct just as the beauty they have said i can acredit some elements towards my vtct beauty level 2. so i wouldnt have to do full course. which will make life much easier.
i hope this all makes sense as it is quite hard to explain.

 

[wonderwoman]

Im gona be a bit blunt, so bear with me!

There are loads of reputable brands that are acreddited, epecially for spraytan/eyelash extensions and nail enhancements. I personally think you learn so much more about product knowledge than at college at times. As each one is more specialised rather than giving a generic answer. Plus i feel you gain more confidence being affilated with a brand, and can turn to when you unsure about minor issues...or have the back up support like salon geek!..Thanks salon geek!:hug:

You're really spoilt for choice, plus these wouldnt take an additional year to learn, these can be spaced out part time over a smaller amount of time rather than a year, where you will be reguriating the same info over and over again, iygwim!

I also think it would be more worthwhile to do a fast track course as majority of the time you wouldnt have to purchase an additional kit, as you do in college, these would be provided in with the training. Have a look or do a search on here for some info on events/training courses. HTH's Good luck!:hug: xoxo

 

[hippy-chick]

as already stated by wonderwoman, do fast track courses.
If you can afford to do private training like this, and with your prior knowledge you would sail through it all.

Of course if money is an issue (which it sounds it) and you are getting your college courses for free then stick to those and choose some private courses wisely.

 

[harmonyholistic]

money is a big issue for me at the moment. but i do agree fast track courses are probs the best way to go although my level 2 beauty will be free so i will take tha opportunity and apl my man and ped towards that. once i am more established after doing beauty and i have a little money behind me then i will look more deeply into further training ie fast track. i will also do my nail tech as planned in sept too. just to give me more of a head start.
great advise guys. i am seriously thinking of doing male and female intimate waxing. have done some research and would be only one in area doing male waxing. probs look into doing it with kim lawless.
really want to do the semi permanant eyelashes too that would be great. but would have to do these courses after my beauty as and when i can raise the cash.

 

[hippy-chick]

Have you looked into possible funding?
Try your local business link for advice, they may not be able to help you but may point you in the right direction.

Not sure if Wales still offer ILA funding. I got one in 1999 for about £300, and am sure Scotland still offer them.

Check with your local council also, I just had a young girl get funded for 4 courses with me to get her started, she was in similar circumstances to you.

am sure Wales are more obliging than England when it comes to setting up and supporting new businesses.

 

[harmonyholistic]

i am going to look into funding. not quite got that far. but i did manage to get an ila grant to pay for my man and ped course . that paid for whole course. i was so chuffed. just needed to pay for my kit. which wasnt expensive. i think the ila is being abolished for next year which is really sad thanks to government cuts. i do need to look into possible grants though not quite got that far yet.
the job center did mention something about when i do start up they may be able to pay me up to 40 pounds a week for my first year thpough and maybe i could get some working tax credits too. so that would be great they all said that closer to the time they would be able to find out more for me about grants etc. so they could be a big source of help too.
to help me out i have also opened a savings account and worked out that i can save up to about three thousand myself to get me started.
i did have a surprising offer today. took my little boy to an indoor playcenter and was talking to the owner she suggested that when i get off the ground she could offer me a room for two days a week and if i pay her 25 percent she would get her staff to book clients in for through out the week.
i really think this could be a good springboard for me. two days a week there and mobile rest of time. she said that whilst the mothers children played i could do beauty treatments on the mums. probs wouldnt do for holistics or facials ( children playing nearby) but would be great for getting my name out there and doing nails and waxing.
there is literally dozens of mums go through that place every day. she also asked if i would be able to do some pamper parties too. i did explain it would be quite a while before i could but she is fine with that because it would be a while before she would be able to allow me to do that and that we could work something out. i am really chuffed about that