Moving forward and upwards

Skint_yet_Again

Sorry to hear that today’s client has cancelled. I suppose it’s just one of those things but if you go into the salon you would still have to find the rent money. Would being in the salon get you more business/ walk-ins ?

Hope you enjoy your day off if you choose to still have it 

~FlowerPot~

well done on your mortgage O/Ps must be lovely to see it under 50k. OUrs is still sitting at about 61. I cant wait to see it under 50k.

I would find out all about the salon, it might well work for you even if its on a tempoerary basis and get you lots of experience

MovingForwards

Thanks Skinty and FP

Turned out for the best today being cancelled as I'm recovering from a sudden tummy issues; homemade carbonara will not be fed to me again! Needless to say I'm dehydrated, quite wobbly and taking it easy.
- As you've guessed I kept my holiday day 😊

I've had thins with spicy meat and cheese, I know perhaps not my brightest idea, but I was hungry 🤭

My day job income would easily cover whatever the rental is while I'm building a client base. I'd be doing promo offers and advertising a lot to bring people in, as I'm in a 'village' there would be passing trade. I had planned walk-in sessions, but during fixed times eg first thing normal hours, over lunch and it would be all the quick treatments eg brow waxing / threading / tints; if it works keep it up and if it doesn't reassess. Due to the hours I'm used to working, opening up for a booked nail apt, lash lift, def brows, leg etc waxing at 7am wouldn't bother me, nor would closing up later due to a booking at 5pm. 

The salon offer, if I'm being totally honest, I am torn about. There's a lot more to the original chat I had (page 477 post 12/01) and my feelings following second chat (pg 478, 16/01). Now the rollercoaster of being offered a space, without conditions or restrictions, if accepted accelerates my plans.

Logic says grab and run with it, it's a foot in the door, I have to start somewhere and being in that salon removes all travel time / fuel, with reduced risks of health flare ups; all offset against rent and being able to see more clients in a day.

However, I can't help thinking no, she didn't want me before knowing what I was / was going to qualify in, saying the nail system I'm qualified in isn't the same, which it was.
Yet after seeing me arrive for my apt with her, in 'uniform' due to visiting my own client, asking me about my quals and lined up courses, plans etc, suddenly I'm good enough and she wants me in.

My heart is wanting someone to say, no, she had her chance.
My head is saying it's because I looked the part, didn't give up at the first hurdle, kept at it, learning more, started getting clients and have proven I could be a good asset within her base as determination oozed from me.

It's taken a while to write, re-read and decide whether to hit 'post' as it's more about letting my thoughts out.

What's left of my day will be spent on business related things, slowly chipping away at my list.

savingholmes

I think - it's a low risk first step. What's the commitment to 'renting a chair'? I.e. how long can you trial it for and what costs would you be liable for? That's what you need to establish - and if that's an acceptable risk go for it - you don't have to stay there forever but it would give you a start. You know more though... If you are good you could bring her more passing trade - if however you turned out not to be it could have a detrimental impact on her business. I'd be cautious in her shoes too. It's always worth trying to think through what the positive intention was behind what they said.

Skint_yet_Again

MovingForwards said:

….. My heart is wanting someone to say, no, she had her chance….

Must admit that was my first instinct 🫢 but didn’t want to say anything to influence your decision (how very blooming dare she reject you 😡) However I think SH is right & it needs to be carefully thought through. 

Hope you are feeling better x

MovingForwards

Thanks SH and Skinty

After writing my last post I took a deep breath and am currently waiting further info.

From previous chats it's an all-in price, I pay rent and that covers space and utilities, with a rota for topping up drinks, toilet roll etc. I'd be required to maintain my section and pitch in keeping the 'shared areas' clean eg waiting area, kitchen etc.
There's currently a 'gap in the market' due to a diff salon having a renter move to a not client / disabled friendly location and, I'm guessing, Bestie is hoping to sweep these up.
Stability would be there as I get on well with Bestie and other renter; been there since opened. I know a previous renter was terminated and fully understand why they were too.

I personally would want a 3m trial period, generally it's a 1m notice period based on research unless of something 'bad', which usually runs along the same lines as an employed job being terminated.

Bestie knows about my day job, plans to build up a client base while clearing the mortgage and reducing hours / increasing beauty hours after it's finished, or going FT beauty if my contract isn't renewed.

MovingForwards

I'm not 100% recovered, but enough to function better.

Yesterday I Def brows and tinted myself, started waxing my legs and I barely noticed any 'pain' unlike when I had it done years ago, just a niggle.

I'm practicing treatments on myself and will continue with them as personal experience makes it easier explaining to people what to expect and gives me pamper time 🤭

My fringe / bangs are the same shade and look good, need to do the rest of my hair but I'll do a main colour on top with the bang colour under it.

To do list for this week:
- add price list to SM (week)
- write bio for SM and insurance listing
- combine / sort equipment (weekend)
- tidy away spares (weekend)
- colour remainder of hair
- add training manuals to folders (week) ✓
- start workshop learning
- pop to 2nd home
- buy folding bed (week/end)
- finish waxing legs 
- threading and brow tinting course (Fri)

One day I'll have a short to do list!

I've been paying my CC a bit each day and it's nicely reducing to a less scary number. However, I've a lot to show for the money.

I have ordered a few business related items eg distilled water for my towel warmer, funnels and bottles to decant an easier amount to travel with, a light for ease of better example photos etc.

We even have a bright sky today and the storm / high winds are easing.

I_Love_comps

Congratulations @MovingForwards .On your wonderful diary.   Congratulations getting married.  Also making your dreams happen.   I will look forward  to following your diary, to see how your journey continues.

savingholmes

I think just making sure you get any agreements put in writing including over trial / cancellation periods would be helpful. 

MovingForwards

Thank you ILC and welcome to my world where a random twist in my story appears without warning.

I've been offered the salon space, £40 for 'my' working week nail space only, with PAYG for the beauty room as I need to slot my treatments round her clients. We're arranging time for cake and a chat to finalise details.
I want an appropriate chair, at my expense to buy, for brows, facial waxing, threading etc as that will be my bread and butter income and heads off any potential clashes with wanting the room. Need to engage my charm to pull this request off 😕
There's also still a few niggles, however, this is a starting point and doesn't mean I have to stay for life.

I have decided to proceed with buying a folding bed as I'm thinking long-term of wanting my own room or a tiny salon and not shared space; I'll still be doing mobile while as I can't do all my treatments.
- I'll start sending chasers, and new enquiries, to sellers.

Most of my recent orders arrived, the rest should be here in a few days.

I've finally ticked something off my to do list and added manuals to folders. Ordered a few more for the booked courses.

I also ordered a table stand for my price list and currently looking at business cards, with logo at VP.

I have paid a bit more off my CC, popped to the village and had a cake.