Help Starting Out

[launik]

Hi everyone ,i really need some help and advice .I gave up my job after fourteen years of hard work at a salon where they treated u like dirt,so i thought i would work for myself given my ripe old age of 39 ha ha . This is not so easy ,I want to advertise but people keep saying theres some weird people out there watch out:sad:. I really need to advertise but losing my confidence a bit,after hearing negative comments.Any mobiles out there have positive experiences if so show me the way to go. NEED ADVICE to get this round going:o Thankyou.

 

[Divine Locks]

Hi
I have worked mobile for the past 4 years and i can honestly say i've never had any weirdos, but perhaps i've just been lucky!.

Thats not to say that i don't get the odd awkward customer and that is what you need to prepare yourself for as it can be hard when you don't have the support of other colleagues. However i have never regretted being self-employed and provided you remain friendly but professional you will be ok.

To begin with it will take a while to build up a client base so don't be disheartened if your appointment book isn't full, generally customers will come to you via word of mouth so treat each customer like royalty and they will soon refer other people to you.

The main drawback of being mobile is that people tend to expect you to be available at all times of the day and night so you need to be quite strict on your working hours otherwise you'll end up working all around the clock (I was once still fitting extensions on a client at 2 o clock in the morning!).

Overall, providing you are motivated and self disciplined being self-emplyed is very rewarding and you should definately go for it, i am now in the process of opening my own salon and I never dreamt four years ago that i would be doing that

Good luck for the future
Emma x

 

[kitty78]

Hi. I was with the salon i worked in for 17 years. I left 5 weeks ago and don't regret it for 1 second. I have advertised in the local paper, gumtree and have a facebook page. I have also put cards through peoples doors. I have not yet had any "weirdos", what i have had is some lovely new clients. I am also MUCH busier than i expected to be at this stage. Go for it.

 

[donna hair]

I'm starting a mobile business and was worried about the same thing, but the other comments are making me feel more confident. Another thing bothering me is when its time to fill in a tax form what do we deduct? I'm not sure what receipts to keep.

 

[Divine Locks]

Basically keep everything! You can offset all your expenses against your earnings when you submit your tax return. Things like petrol receipts, food that you consume whilst working you can even claim part of repairs for your car. And don't forget your not only working whilst with customers, time spent at home working on marketing and doing your books etc should also be taken into account. If you need any advice i was a certified bookkeeper in a former life so feel free to pm me

Emma x

Sent from my GT-I9000 using SalonGeek

 

[sunshineinme]

I'm starting a mobile business and was worried about the same thing, but the other comments are making me feel more confident. Another thing bothering me is when its time to fill in a tax form what do we deduct? I'm not sure what receipts to keep.

I have recently started my mobile business. Not having customers yet as just leafletting and advertising. It's nice to hear supportive words from those who went through what is waiting for us- newbies

With regard to the receipts etc. I have seen my accountant recently and he said to keep everything what relates to our business, every and any receipt! Keep the petrol receipts, everything that relates to your car (MOT, Service etc.), every time you go on the course- keep the invoice, travel expenses, car park receipts. Every penny you spend on your business- keep it. Every towel, nail varnish, massage oil you buy- keep receipts and record them on spreadsheet.Every penny you spend on advertisement- it all counts. And if you treat yourself to a massage- that counts as market research! Don't worry if you lose one or two receipts- it's not the end of the world. You can still add it onto your spreadsheet. Not a crime tho

It's hard for me to get my head around all the book keeping etc. but I hope he knows what he's doing

Gosh I find setting up my business so stressfull!!! I am exhausted but I guess it;s just the way it is at the beginning!

 

[mixnmatch1]

I have recently started my mobile business. Not having customers yet as just leafletting and advertising. It's nice to hear supportive words from those who went through what is waiting for us- newbies

With regard to the receipts etc. I have seen my accountant recently and he said to keep everything what relates to our business, every and any receipt! Keep the petrol receipts, everything that relates to your car (MOT, Service etc.), every time you go on the course- keep the invoice, travel expenses, car park receipts. Every penny you spend on your business- keep it. Every towel, nail varnish, massage oil you buy- keep receipts and record them on spreadsheet.Every penny you spend on advertisement- it all counts. And if you treat yourself to a massage- that counts as market research! Don't worry if you lose one or two receipts- it's not the end of the world. You can still add it onto your spreadsheet. Not a crime tho

It's hard for me to get my head around all the book keeping etc. but I hope he knows what he's doing

Gosh I find setting up my business so stressfull!!! I am exhausted but I guess it;s just the way it is at the beginning!

Ive just started mobile and i totally agree,i am exhausted too and have found it very stressful to start with but begining to relax more now.
Ive not come across any wierdos but i have dealt with 1 complaint which was upsetting but looking back was a good learning curve.
This site is a godsend,love it!
go for it and good luck

 

[Divine Locks]

BTW if you are looking for good bookkeeping software try www.tassoftware.co.uk/site/tas_accounts_software/basicsware

Its a really simple straightforward programme and its 100% free! I think it is actually developed by SAGE but don't quote me on that

You simply download it from the link above and voila - the programme guides you through the setup process and there is a really comprehensive help guide which explains all the accounting terminology so you dont need to be an accountant to use it.

i really can't recommend it enough.

and i really cant stop saying really lol!

 

[donna hair]

Thank you every one.

I'm not even up and running yet and it's draining me, but o well it will definately be worth it in the end.

I'll buy a folder and put any receipts I get in there.

Thank you so much for the software link, I'll defo be downloading that.

xx:hug:

 

[launik]

Thanx guys ,excellent advice ,love this site be lost without it x