People wanting more money from me right, left and centre. Who else is finding this?

[nixnewcastle]

How much does she want for the new rent ?

Have you got two business accounts ? Natwest & Barclays ? I would close both of them an either get a free account with abbey or alliance & leicester. I bank with AL and they are by far the best I have banked with for business ( I have been with a few of the big banks ) Apart from being free, or £5 per month if you pay less than £1000 is the fact that you can pay cash in at any PO. This is great for me as I can park right outside my local PO for free and they are open until 5.30 on a Saturday.

wow that one sounds good. Im thinking of just running another current account though as i dont earn loads at the moment and i dont need a card machine so im wasting my time with a business account at the moment

 

[izzidoll]

I went to see halifax about getting an overdraft and she told me all banks will now be charging £1 a day to have an overdraft..not use you it just to have one! arranged or not.. that's like £30 a month!

I am with the Halifax and it has recently changed to they charge you £1 a day if you go into your overdraft. If you do not use your overdraft you will not be charged...but if you are overdrawn for say, 3 days before your pay goes in then you will be charged £3....or knowing the banks £4 as they will say you were still overdrawn before your pay goes in on that day :irked: But unless you are overdrawn for the whole month then it will not cost £30.


I do think they have a cheek though!!

 

[nixnewcastle]

the problem is im one of those skint people who sits in their overdraft so i have alot to pay back before im out of it

 

[persianista]

Only one way out hun, spend less than you earn!! Seriously, after Xmas sit down with all your figures and get organised, cut all non-fixed costs to the bone. Delay all non urgent payments out, and fix a schedule for tackling bills etc. It may take you a few months to get straight, but aim to be clear by the time your first tax bill comes in. I have to schedule all my cashflow at the moment to ensure wages and bills are met on time, so I know what a pain it is. As a little word of warning tho, I was ONE DAY LATE with my VAT bill, and they fined me £750. Ouch

 

[nixnewcastle]

Only one way out hun, spend less than you earn!! Seriously, after Xmas sit down with all your figures and get organised, cut all non-fixed costs to the bone. Delay all non urgent payments out, and fix a schedule for tackling bills etc. It may take you a few months to get straight, but aim to be clear by the time your first tax bill comes in. I have to schedule all my cashflow at the moment to ensure wages and bills are met on time, so I know what a pain it is. As a little word of warning tho, I was ONE DAY LATE with my VAT bill, and they fined me £750. Ouch

1 day late and they charged you £750????? what a joke!!
I think when people deal with businesses they are used to dealing with ones that make a fortune and seem to forget that hair and beauty salons dont make a huge amount of money. Especially not at the minute anyway. Im not surprised alot of people are wanting out and are selling their business. It's a very scary time and im finding clients are expecting more and more for less and less

 

[persianista]

I have recently been advised by a top economist in the city that by being in profit this year, I am doing bloody well. They are expecting mass bankrupties early next year. I don't feel as though I'm doing well, but compared to others I have my head above water. I do an awful lot of city bods as clients, and they are expecting a big shocker in the new year. In the meantime my costs are cut to the bone, cashflow is tightly controlled and all expansion plans are cancelled.
So in reply to Nixnewcastle I would say control your costs, this is not the year for expansion, and KEEP GOING. I am gonna try and sell up and retire. I would suspect that quite a few salon owners will want to do the same. Those that get through this will be the big success stories in years to come. Make sure that it's you. x

 

[SusanEvian]

So at the moment I have a small beauty room within a salon which is fine. I only pay 20% of whatever i earn. Fab I cant go bust but...... now the hairdressers i rent from is saying she wants me to have the bigger room and start paying a "proper rent" which i dont think i can afford at the moment cause im a new business and im not busy enough.

I've also just had a letter through from Barclays with £108 worth of charges for banking cheques and cashing money etc etc. WTF????? Thats alot of my hard earned money!!!!

I've now also just had a letter in from Halifax which is my personal account that i have an overdraft with. They are going to start charging me pound a day for my overdraft (this is my authorised overdraft not unauthorised)

I've also had the manager of Natwest who i used to have my business bank account with wanting £500 from me to pay off my overdraft and shut down the account.

Is anyone else finding people are trying every which way to get money out of you at the moment or is it just me?

Im really really stressed about it and dont know what to do
Any advice would be very very much appreciated!!!

Many smaller salons (and tradesmen) are not taking cheques now because of the high banking clearance cards, and are forcing people to only except cash. this was documented on the One Show last week. you will also notice many outlets will not except them also, some banks and really giving silly charges for this.

Su x

 

[SusanEvian]

I have recently been advised by a top economist in the city that by being in profit this year, I am doing bloody well. They are expecting mass bankrupties early next year. I don't feel as though I'm doing well, but compared to others I have my head above water. I do an awful lot of city bods as clients, and they are expecting a big shocker in the new year. In the meantime my costs are cut to the bone, cashflow is tightly controlled and all expansion plans are cancelled.
So in reply to Nixnewcastle I would say control your costs, this is not the year for expansion, and KEEP GOING. I am gonna try and sell up and retire. I would suspect that quite a few salon owners will want to do the same. Those that get through this will be the big success stories in years to come. Make sure that it's you. x

With the late surcharge of 2% of the total amount at @£750 you certainly must be turning over millions .


Su x

 

[persianista]

Susie, your point is?
I thought this thread was Nixnewcastle having a cashflow wobble, not a "guess how much the cat lady turns over". If your nose is really bothering you, PM me and I will tell you how many million.

 

[hippy-chick]

lets get back to the point, I think susie was just making a passing comment.

Sit tight, do your figures, cut down on excesses, make sure you only order what you need, keep promotions to a minimum so people aren't expecting cut down prices BUT value for money, enjoy, keep happy, and we will be the victors.

 

[nixnewcastle]

lets get back to the point, I think susie was just making a passing comment.

Sit tight, do your figures, cut down on excesses, make sure you only order what you need, keep promotions to a minimum so people aren't expecting cut down prices BUT value for money, enjoy, keep happy, and we will be the victors.

This is fully what i intend on doing. Im thinking about changing my pedicure products. Im currently using creative but im about to run out and it's so expensive to replace but dont know what to replace it with?

 

[Martigirl]

This is fully what i intend on doing. Im thinking about changing my pedicure products. Im currently using creative but im about to run out and it's so expensive to replace but dont know what to replace it with?

Personally changing products is the last thing I will be doing.

My clients return time and time again because I offer consistently an excellent service but I cannot do this without superior products.

Many many clients have commented to me that changing to inferior products is why they have changed therapists/hairdressers in the past.

I know that personally if a takeaway restuarant for example starts using cheaper ingredients I look for another and will pay slightly more if necessary to get food I enjoy with minimal waste.

hth's:hug:

 

[Bagpuss]

This is fully what i intend on doing. Im thinking about changing my pedicure products. Im currently using creative but im about to run out and it's so expensive to replace but dont know what to replace it with?

I wouldn't do this...if your clients are currently happy and you are too I wouldn't go changing products...also to be fair Creative doesn't work our much more expensive than most other brands when worked out per set....If Creative is working for you and your clients then i would stick with it. Changing to another brand may just cause problems that are not going to help and cost you more in the long run...repairs...service breakdown..ect...Maybe think about just increasing your prices a little....:idea:

 

[nixnewcastle]

I wouldn't do this...if your clients are currently happy and you are too I wouldn't go changing products...also to be fair Creative doesn't work our much more expensive than most other brands when worked out per set....If Creative is working for you and your clients then i would stick with it. Changing to another brand may just cause problems that are not going to help and cost you more in the long run...repairs...service breakdown..ect...Maybe think about just increasing your prices a little....:idea:

I have been thinking about putting my prices up slightly.
I currently do:
File and polish £5.50
Luxury manicure £16
Luxury pedicure £18

all of these are using creative I also do gel overlays with Akzentz products ans I charge £20 for fingers or toes. How much do you think i should put them up by?

 

[Bagpuss]

even if you added £2.00 to each of those treatments it would make a difference....without frightening your clients off...:lol:

 

[nixnewcastle]

even if you added £2.00 to each of those treatments it would make a difference....without frightening your clients off...:lol:

Thanks I think I am going to do that. I put my prices down a little bit at the start of this year and i think they need to go up a tiny bit now

 

[Mrs Geek]

I have been thinking about putting my prices up slightly.
I currently do:
File and polish £5.50
Luxury manicure £16
Luxury pedicure £18

all of these are using creative I also do gel overlays with Akzentz products ans I charge £20 for fingers or toes. How much do you think i should put them up by?

I am pretty gobsmacked by the prices quoted here. A bottle of nail colour is anywhere from 3.95 to 5.25 for a decent professional line (and this at trade); the time it takes to do a file and polish - the products you use... the time... did I mention YOUR TIME???

I would suggest that 2010 be the year that nail pros get SERIOUS with what they charge for their TIME, expertise and products. I wouldn't charge anything less than £15 for a buff and tidy... no less than £25 for the lux man and no less than £30 for the lux ped.

I think it's time to get real here... unless you are working from your couch in your living room and offering a service that is more like going to a mates for a girly booze up (which I wouldn't consider a professional environment), nail pros simply must start charging more for their time and expertise AND if you use the best products and have INVESTED in your education, you should be proud and charging for that too.

This message goes out to everyone, not just Nix Newcastle.

We have our own industry - we need to start owning it and really push ourselves as professionals and experts and STAY on top of our education.

I would only suggest this to those of you who have actually truly invested in making yourselves professional. The rest who 'claim' they are and have done a 1 day course... well, I am happy to say that your customers can see through the BS!! You charge what you are worth, give an incredible service and your will be successful; charge pro prices when you can't cut the mustard - you'll be outted soon enough!

Let' start 'walking the walk' as well as talking the talk.
2010 the Year of the Nail 'PROFESSIONAL'!!!:idea:

 

[nixnewcastle]

I am pretty gobsmacked by the prices quoted here. A bottle of nail colour is anywhere from 3.95 to 5.25 for a decent professional line (and this at trade); the time it takes to do a file and polish - the products you use... the time... did I mention YOUR TIME???

I would suggest that 2010 be the year that nail pros get SERIOUS with what they charge for their TIME, expertise and products. I wouldn't charge anything less than £15 for a buff and tidy... no less than £25 for the lux man and no less than £30 for the lux ped.

I think it's time to get real here... unless you are working from your couch in your living room and offering a service that is more like going to a mates for a girly booze up (which I wouldn't consider a professional environment), nail pros simply must start charging more for their time and expertise AND if you use the best products and have INVESTED in your education, you should be proud and charging for that too.

This message goes out to everyone, not just Nix Newcastle.

We have our own industry - we need to start owning it and really push ourselves as professionals and experts and STAY on top of our education.

I would only suggest this to those of you who have actually truly invested in making yourselves professional. The rest who 'claim' they are and have done a 1 day course... well, I am happy to say that your customers can see through the BS!! You charge what you are worth, give an incredible service and your will be successful; charge pro prices when you can't cut the mustard - you'll be outted soon enough!

Let' start 'walking the walk' as well as talking the talk.
2010 the Year of the Nail 'PROFESSIONAL'!!!:idea:

I think so as well. I have been in the industry since i was 16 and im now 25. I've worked for places such as matfen hall, slaley hall, estee lauder, benefit and countless salons. I know im good at what i do and hold more than enough certificates for it.

I use creative products as well so i know im using one of the best on the market.

The problem is the other competition in the area offering their services alot cheaper and the fact that we're in a recession and everone is about saving money and getting things as cheap as they possibly can.

The other problem is i only have a small beauty room so i often feel like i cant charge as much as big salons as the room isn't as big or as luxurious.

I completely agree with what your saying though. I do need to put my prices up but how do i do it without clients twisting about it and losing customers?

 

[persianista]

Put a notice up in your room, saying that you are reviewing your prices, and publish a new price list. You should increase your prices every year as a matter of course. If you do 30 clients a week, £2 extra is £60 per week more, with no extra outlay.
One good tip, when you are doing your books each week, is to tally how many clints you have done, and divide your takings by this figure. It will give you your average client spend. Aim to increase this figure each week by selling more services to the clients you have. It's a cheaper and easier way to grow a business than constantly chasing new clients. I use this technique a lot.

 

[Mrs Geek]

I think so as well. I have been in the industry since i was 16 and im now 25. I've worked for places such as matfen hall, slaley hall, estee lauder, benefit and countless salons. I know im good at what i do and hold more than enough certificates for it.

Good on you - you have invested in yourself and you know what you are doing AND, YOU HAVE EXPERIENCE! You are WORTH what you charge! :idea:

I use creative products as well so i know im using one of the best on the market.

I won't argue this point :lol: but use your time of doing nails to chat to your clients about your love of the products and why you use them, what's different about them etc; it is always good for them to know and understand AND it makes then feel very confident in you too!

The problem is the other competition in the area offering their services alot cheaper and the fact that we're in a recession and everone is about saving money and getting things as cheap as they possibly can.

OK - Nix - you MUST STOP SEEING THIS AS A PROBLEM IMMEDIATELY. You need to start thinking about YOU - what you are offering, how you are offering it, where and why you offering it and you must STOP thinking about 'the competition. Don't have a competitive mind Nix - have a Creative Mind. Concentrate on what you want to do and how you want to achieve it and NOT what everyone else is doing. The cheaper the nails, the more I would run a mile. The more expensive the full the set the more inclined I would be to think that person knew what he/she was doing. Hmmm wonder why she is more, hmmm think I will try her instead!! Yes we have had a recession but the Beauty Industry is one of the few industries that has remained buyont. Why??? Because we women love to spend money on ourselves.!!!

The other problem is i only have a small beauty room so i often feel like i cant charge as much as big salons as the room isn't as big or as luxurious.

- again Nix - this is YOU feeling this. You have to pay rent right? Your customers don't know what your rent is do they? What if your rent was was £1000 a week . you wouldn't feel bad about putting up prices. Have a spring clean - turn things around, shake it up a little, change your service menu (email me for the one I did which is wicked) and PUT YOUR PRICES UP. Do it with a thankful and positive heart!! Then email me in 4 months and tell me you're not doing better - because if you do it right - it will be the best and most important thing you do. Why? Because you will have believed in yourself and there will no stopping you the next time you need to do something new / different.

I completely agree with what your saying though. I do need to put my prices up but how do i do it without clients twisting about it and losing customers?

See the above :hug: