How much do you earn from beauty?

[surf girl]

This has made me think actually....

Those of us who are muddling through with fairly low incomes seem to be so passionate about our businesses, we live and breathe it, we reinvest our profits & don't mind not making a fortune, we don't hear much off the high earners tho do we?

 

[Lapixstrel]

Thanks everyone, some great responses, you have eased my mind!

 

[squidgernetball]

This has made me think actually....

Those of us who are muddling through with fairly low incomes seem to be so passionate about our businesses, we live and breathe it, we reinvest our profits & don't mind not making a fortune, we don't hear much off the high earners tho do we?

They're all on holiday x

 

[Gina Ballerina]

I earn more than my parents do and I go away 4 times a year but I've been in business 8 years and work very hard.
I rented a room for 7 years and never turned a client away whatever time they wanted so I was always working very late and I was there wether I had clients or not.
Now I work Tue 9-6, wed/thur 10-8, fri/sat 9-5 and try not to go over. Booked for around 3/4 wks in advance or 5/6 in summer.
I've just expanded and now have 3 rooms and I've paid back everything it cost in the first year (about £30k) plus still took the same wage as before.

If you've got a good location, good business plan, right mindset and work bloody hard you can make a lot of money. I know I make money now because in the beginning I lived and breathed it for years and gave it my all - not saying I don't now but I don't have to put every last minute in to making and growing my business and feeling like I was at the beck and call of clients

 

[BannerPenguin]

I earn more than my parents do and I go away 4 times a year but I've been in business 8 years and work very hard.
I rented a room for 7 years and never turned a client away whatever time they wanted so I was always working very late and I was there wether I had clients or not.
Now I work Tue 9-6, wed/thur 10-8, fri/sat 9-5 and try not to go over. Booked for around 3/4 wks in advance or 5/6 in summer.
I've just expanded and now have 3 rooms and I've paid back everything it cost in the first year (about £30k) plus still took the same wage as before.

If you've got a good location, good business plan, right mindset and work bloody hard you can make a lot of money. I know I make money now because in the beginning I lived and breathed it for years and gave it my all - not saying I don't now but I don't have to put every last minute in to making and growing my business and feeling like I was at the beck and call of clients

Great to hear a success story. Just a query or food for thought, obviously I know you worked damn hard but do you think starting out 8 years ago (when I'm guessing things were different, like the amount of competition) made it slightly easier than perhaps starting out now where everyone seems to do it and there is a beauty salon on every corner?

I know it doesn't mean you can't make it happen now but just got me thinking

 

[WaxGirl]

I earn more than my parents do and I go away 4 times a year but I've been in business 8 years and work very hard.
I rented a room for 7 years and never turned a client away whatever time they wanted so I was always working very late and I was there wether I had clients or not.
Now I work Tue 9-6, wed/thur 10-8, fri/sat 9-5 and try not to go over. Booked for around 3/4 wks in advance or 5/6 in summer.
I've just expanded and now have 3 rooms and I've paid back everything it cost in the first year (about £30k) plus still took the same wage as before.

If you've got a good location, good business plan, right mindset and work bloody hard you can make a lot of money. I know I make money now because in the beginning I lived and breathed it for years and gave it my all - not saying I don't now but I don't have to put every last minute in to making and growing my business and feeling like I was at the beck and call of clients

agree totally... im approaching 8 years open - had nothing at start... took years of working crazy and trial and error.... but now things are great for me, the business gives me a nice life and it doesn't consume me or my time as much as it used to

I've always really loved working in beauty but stayed focused on what was profitable rather than just doing the same as everyone else, I think one of the secrets to earning well is to specialise in a particular area so you become distinctive and unique and stand out in your area...

... become the person that everyone knows is the very best go to person... people will pay for quality

 

[jemfox]

Following

 

[Gina Ballerina]

Great to hear a success story. Just a query or food for thought, obviously I know you worked damn hard but do you think starting out 8 years ago (when I'm guessing things were different, like the amount of competition) made it slightly easier than perhaps starting out now where everyone seems to do it and there is a beauty salon on every corner?

I know it doesn't mean you can't make it happen now but just got me thinking

I feel like it was really hard because the recession just hit, no one was spending any money and I moved to a new town and started my business there so I knew no one, no one to recommend me, no friends and family to help spread the word.
The business really started being successful when I borrowed money for a super duper website that has been num 1 on google ever since.
I lived and breathed the business and I still do but now I have a life as well.
I'm in Essex and there was a salon/room renters on every corner and there still is.
I think it's easier now (for me) actually because it seems like more people have beauty treatments than before.
Things coming along like gel manis and HD really brought more people in.
Thanks for your kind words

 

[Gina Ballerina]

Here's something I wrote on salon geek a couple of years ago if anyone is looking for some inspiration


When I started I had 0 clients and knew no one in town.
I was in the salon during opening times always (I'm above a hairdressers)
In case of walk ins.
I spent time at the hair reception greeting clients taking coats etc to get to know those clients, offered free file and polishes etc.
I handed out price list in the high street.
I took price lists with 50% off cards to shops and restaurants in the high street.
I figured 50% of something was better than nothing.
I offered a free treatment to owners of bars and restaurants if they would put my leaflets in their ladies loos.
I gave every customer lots of recommend a friend cards - I called them 'double discount cards' they both get 50% off - again I might as well be doing clients half price rather than doing nothing. This took off amazingly well, everybody wants something half price!! I encouraged everyone to put them in their staff room, notice boards etc so they could get lots of half price treatments. As my client base grew I dropped this offer to 25% then 20% and now I don't offer it at all I just say thank you very much for recommending me
I posted a lot on face book. Any gaps I had I did a flash sale text now for half price treatment.
I send out a newsletter every month. I always collect email address and my letter goes out to about 700 now.
I go through my record box every 3 months and if someone hadn't been for 6 months I send them a letter and a discount card for 25% off valid for 2 months.
I was available at anytime for any client in the beginning and was very flexible.
I invested in great brands HD, Lycon, Dermalogica, Fake Bake I think using known brands helps.
I pay a premium listing for yell.com which I think is about £14 a month but think it's worth it.
I invested in an amazing website and it was worth every single penny and it's top in google for my search listings.
I also have google places review which put it to the top.
I'm super excited about my profession and I think it's infectious.
I suppose I'm not very professional at work In all chat chat chat and my clients know all about my life, it's not for everyone but I think it's given me a great client base that feels like lots of friends.
With 50 hours a week in now book till 14th July (but I'm away 10th-12th) but I've even where I am for 6 years
I'm so dedicated to my work and clients and they know that.

Lots of other stuff that I can't think of now but marketing marketing marketing x

 

[sana1]

This has made me think actually....

Those of us who are muddling through with fairly low incomes seem to be so passionate about our businesses, we live and breathe it, we reinvest our profits & don't mind not making a fortune, we don't hear much off the high earners tho do we?

Spot on! That's what I was thinking too.
I suppose because we are comfortable and not greedy we are earning according to that.

 

[katef]

Here's something I wrote on salon geek a couple of years ago if anyone is looking for some inspiration


When I started I had 0 clients and knew no one in town.
I was in the salon during opening times always (I'm above a hairdressers)
In case of walk ins.
I spent time at the hair reception greeting clients taking coats etc to get to know those clients, offered free file and polishes etc.
I handed out price list in the high street.
I took price lists with 50% off cards to shops and restaurants in the high street.
I figured 50% of something was better than nothing.
I offered a free treatment to owners of bars and restaurants if they would put my leaflets in their ladies loos.
I gave every customer lots of recommend a friend cards - I called them 'double discount cards' they both get 50% off - again I might as well be doing clients half price rather than doing nothing. This took off amazingly well, everybody wants something half price!! I encouraged everyone to put them in their staff room, notice boards etc so they could get lots of half price treatments. As my client base grew I dropped this offer to 25% then 20% and now I don't offer it at all I just say thank you very much for recommending me
I posted a lot on face book. Any gaps I had I did a flash sale text now for half price treatment.
I send out a newsletter every month. I always collect email address and my letter goes out to about 700 now.
I go through my record box every 3 months and if someone hadn't been for 6 months I send them a letter and a discount card for 25% off valid for 2 months.
I was available at anytime for any client in the beginning and was very flexible.
I invested in great brands HD, Lycon, Dermalogica, Fake Bake I think using known brands helps.
I pay a premium listing for yell.com which I think is about £14 a month but think it's worth it.
I invested in an amazing website and it was worth every single penny and it's top in google for my search listings.
I also have google places review which put it to the top.
I'm super excited about my profession and I think it's infectious.
I suppose I'm not very professional at work In all chat chat chat and my clients know all about my life, it's not for everyone but I think it's given me a great client base that feels like lots of friends.
With 50 hours a week in now book till 14th July (but I'm away 10th-12th) but I've even where I am for 6 years
I'm so dedicated to my work and clients and they know that.

Lots of other stuff that I can't think of now but marketing marketing marketing x

Thank you for this post! It is so inspiring to an aspirational newbie (like me). You deserve all of your success x

 

[Gina Ballerina]

Aw bless you thank you x

 

[beautygeek20]

I opened my salon almost 2 years ago and still not taking a wage. I am in the salon all 6 days we are open and work all day. I don't employ anyone I just have my boyfriend who comes in to cover reception while I have customers. Unfortunately we got caught up with a company who took advantage of us being new business owners and have been going through a court dispute over equipment for over a year which is so draining. On top of that the council want us to pay almost double the business rates that we were last year, plus they have just started works on the road outside which has seen our footfall decrease. It is so frustrating having all these obstacles but honestly, I would still never go back to the job I was in before. I love working for myself and being able to build my own business. I'm still positive and I am excited for what the future will bring.
I'm not doing this job to make mega cash, I want to have a successful business and be able to enjoy the little things in life, maybe have 1 day off a week lol and just be comfortable. I will work my little but off as hard as I can to make that happen xx

 

[misseden]

I have been self employed now for 6 years, first two years as mobile then in 2012 I started renting in a hair salon. When I first started in the salon, lets just say I didnt have a pot to p**s in. Some of the equipment i bought was third and fourth hand, I didnt have any brand names but slowly I built it up. If someone needed me to start early or stay late then I would do it, I put myself out at every opportunity, that first year I worked six days a week and took no time off except for sundays and bank holidays, some weeks I made £50 some weeks I made £500 and from there it has gone up and up. Its still swings and roundabouts and probably will always be that. I always think half the battle to being self employed is being able to manage money efficiently, I can usually predict when the quiet weeks are gunna be, like when people are waiting for pay day so when I know them weeks are coming up I time my invoices to land on a different week, thats what works for me, I always keep money aside for the just incase moments, if im taking time off I plan it way in advance, I would never just decide to be off with a weeks notice, that way I have time to build the spare money pot up. Sometimes things do get on my nerves, certain clients do my head in but I have to stop and think that these people are paying me and thats paying for my house, car, mulberry handbag, ok not the latter one, im still saving my tips for that.
If you put everything in at the start, you reap the rewards later. Ive seen many a salon come and go within 6 months in my town and there always the ones that start off opening 9-6 and a late night 9-8 then when there not fully booked straight away the hours gradually decrease and they start opening random hours then before you know it there closed.
If you work hard you will be able to play hard

 

[JayM]

I earn more than my parents do and I go away 4 times a year but I've been in business 8 years and work very hard.
I rented a room for 7 years and never turned a client away whatever time they wanted so I was always working very late and I was there wether I had clients or not.
Now I work Tue 9-6, wed/thur 10-8, fri/sat 9-5 and try not to go over. Booked for around 3/4 wks in advance or 5/6 in summer.
I've just expanded and now have 3 rooms and I've paid back everything it cost in the first year (about £30k) plus still took the same wage as before.

If you've got a good location, good business plan, right mindset and work bloody hard you can make a lot of money. I know I make money now because in the beginning I lived and breathed it for years and gave it my all - not saying I don't now but I don't have to put every last minute in to making and growing my business and feeling like I was at the beck and call of clients

So inspiring! So as a beginner can you give me some of your best tips? X

 

[JayM]

Thank you for this post! It is so inspiring to an aspirational newbie (like me). You deserve all of your success x

My sentiments exactly!!! X

 

[JayM]

I have been self employed now for 6 years, first two years as mobile then in 2012 I started renting in a hair salon. When I first started in the salon, lets just say I didnt have a pot to p**s in. Some of the equipment i bought was third and fourth hand, I didnt have any brand names but slowly I built it up. If someone needed me to start early or stay late then I would do it, I put myself out at every opportunity, that first year I worked six days a week and took no time off except for sundays and bank holidays, some weeks I made £50 some weeks I made £500 and from there it has gone up and up. Its still swings and roundabouts and probably will always be that. I always think half the battle to being self employed is being able to manage money efficiently, I can usually predict when the quiet weeks are gunna be, like when people are waiting for pay day so when I know them weeks are coming up I time my invoices to land on a different week, thats what works for me, I always keep money aside for the just incase moments, if im taking time off I plan it way in advance, I would never just decide to be off with a weeks notice, that way I have time to build the spare money pot up. Sometimes things do get on my nerves, certain clients do my head in but I have to stop and think that these people are paying me and thats paying for my house, car, mulberry handbag, ok not the latter one, im still saving my tips for that.
If you put everything in at the start, you reap the rewards later. Ive seen many a salon come and go within 6 months in my town and there always the ones that start off opening 9-6 and a late night 9-8 then when there not fully booked straight away the hours gradually decrease and they start opening random hours then before you know it there closed.
If you work hard you will be able to play hard

Fab advice and well done for sticking at it x

 

[mrslargelashes]

I've been in the industry about ten years. Last year was my third year having a salon and my wage was just under 10k. I worked 5 days the first few years then went down to 3 days due to pregnancy & childcare. I had 1 employed part timer, a lady who rented a room, and an occasional desk renter. In December my salon got flooded and I'm now in the middle of a summer house conversion and doing mobile, so it will be interesting to compare. I have 3 children and I'm now part time.

Owning a salon is a way of life, a huge commitment, I literally had my baby and was replying to clients at 3.30am the day I had him. You eat, sleep and breathe it. I thought when I went to part time I would be less obsessed, but nope. I still love what I do and I'm just back from more training and always working on my (albeit smaller) business. I feel more balanced though, and I'm finding it easier to be an amazing mum and a business owner. However it's not for the light hearted.

I will probably go back to owning a salon in the future when my kids are older. I would be interested to hear from more mobile or hone based therapists.

 

[laurakate]

I've mostly worked for other people and my income has mostly been determined by how many hours I've been able to do. When I started in the industry I was doing full time hours minimum wage and at the time the money was good for me in the context of my circumstances.

My employed roles have been in spas so when I last worked in one I'd burnt out from all the massage so was still on minimum wage but was only able to cope with 12 hours a week and even then it was a struggle.

I always found self employed anxiety provoking because of the uncertainty of it.

 

[MMBeauty2012]

Love this thread.... How is everyone getting on now?