Nail technician pay - Is this fair?

[VeeVee]

I am opening a nail salon providing natural manicure and gel/shellac etc, everything BUT acrylic.

I am located in the midwest USA (Indiana)

I am expecting to hire 20 nail technicians, along with a manager, assistant manager and 2 salon attendees. The attendees will handle clean up, sterlizing tools in autoclave, renewing supplies like cotton, towels etc for each technician etc... managers will handle salon booking, advertising etc.

I am planning on paying the nail technicians $10 an hour plus %15 commission. But they also will be provided with medical benefit for themselves. Not for family but for individual. Medical, Dental and Vision.

I want to know if this sounds more fair than $8 an hour plus %25 commission?

What is fair to the technician?

We are providing all the tools and supplies, which are very high end.

I want to let customers know that we do not accept tips to make it less stressful on the customer, is that a good idea?

I expect everyone to be a full time employee... Because of my connection to PR and social media, I believe I would be able to bring in 150-200 customers daily. It's in one of the busiest strip mall alongside a popular restaurant, a gym and starbucks, plus a kids dance academy etc... over 64K cars pass by daily.

Any opinion is greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[manystyle]

hi mmmm 20 techs. in my opinions thats too many. and 2 attendees mmmm personaly i havent seen this. usually the techs do their own cleaning and disinfecting. I like to disinfect my own implements because I myself know the implements are properly cleaned. and if God forbits a client complains that I transmitted a fungus i think you get my point

let me tell you I am earning 10 hr. I get paid every week I dont have any benefits. I earn 10 dollars an hr or 60 percent on commision what ever I earn more a week. I love it. on slow days I know im still getting something. but of course commision part sounds better. tips are a big plus and when a client leaves tips it makes me feel that the client appreciated the service and willing to pay me a little more. of course clients that frequent come and never tip are priceless. to sum it out I dont think is fair for techs not to get tips.

n yea this is only my opinion. I hope you find what works for you. and all the best on your new salon!

 

[VeeVee]

hi mmmm 20 techs. in my opinions thats too many. and 2 attendees mmmm personaly i havent seen this. usually the techs do their own cleaning and disinfecting. I like to disinfect my own implements because I myself know the implements are properly cleaned. and if God forbits a client complains that I transmitted a fungus i think you get my point

let me tell you I am earning 10 hr. I get paid every week I dont have any benefits. I earn 10 dollars an hr or 60 percent on commision what ever I earn more a week. I love it. on slow days I know im still getting something. but of course commision part sounds better. tips are a big plus and when a client leaves tips it makes me feel that the client appreciated the service and willing to pay me a little more. of course clients that frequent come and never tip are priceless. to sum it out I dont think is fair for techs not to get tips.

n yea this is only my opinion. I hope you find what works for you. and all the best on your new salon!

Thank you for the reply... I like the idea of tipping, and I guess the techs would find it very useful.

To handle 150-200 customers a day, I figured 20 technicians in a 3000 square foot space is good... the employees get a break room, and their own lockers, plus separate bathrooms from public. It's a completely different concept... it's like a high end spa but at competitive price to asian own salons. I am asian.

Shellac/Gel manicure would be about $40
Spa Pedicure would be $35
Spa Manicure would be $23

All service includes complimentary drinks (teas/ coffee / water etc) and snacks (cupcakes, cookies etc)

Is the $10 an hour plus %15 Commission AND benefits fair? Do you think it's beneficial for a technician to have a guaranteed paycheck and benefits plus "bonus/commission" a good deal?

Thanks for your reply.

 

[Steph86]

Yes I do think it is fair, provided the 10$ hour is the going rate around your area, they know they will earn x amount per week plus a bonus. But I do think you should allow tips!

It does sound like a lot of techs (who are use to cleaning own tools-as said above) but if you have the potential to be very busy then, great

Good luck xx

 

[VeeVee]

Yes I do think it is fair, provided the 10$ hour is the going rate around your area, they know they will earn x amount per week plus a bonus. But I do think you should allow tips!

It does sound like a lot of techs (who are use to cleaning own tools-as said above) but if you have the potential to be very busy then, great

Good luck xx

I'm going to keep the tips allowed... I believe that will motivate them to do better...

I expect us to be beyond busy, I'm almost scared.

I just found this site and I love it. Thanks so much!

 

[laurakate]

I looove the idea of a nail spa. All the service of getting your nails done within a luxury spa environment.

Best of luck to you. I would love to see places like this in the UK!