Responsibilities being self employed in a salon?

[qbnab]

I’ve recently gone self-employed and rent a chair in a new salon set up by one of my old colleagues. Just wanted to ask everyone what is generally expected of you when you rent a chair? Am I expected to clean the salon and tidy around or only sort out my own area? Am I expected to wash towels, empty bins, clean the kitchen or buy milk? And what about the marketing side - do I contribute money towards the salon opening day or put towards flyers etc?

Thanks xxx

 

[AcidPerm]

What terms did you agree to when you agreed to rent the chair and what is written in your contract?
Are you paying a percentage split or a weekly set rent?

You’re a separate business entity operating inside someone else’s premises. You’re responsible for keeping your own workspace tidy but the salon owner should have been clear about what’s included in the rent. For instance, if she agreed to provide towels, then it’s the owners job to provide clean towels, not yours to sort and wash them.

You should be doing your own advertising for your own business. However, it’s all negotiable and business relationships work well when there’s flexibility on both sides. If the open day benefits your business, then it makes sense to contribute to it, both financially and practically. If you feel that you are being treated as an employee then you need to refer the owner back to the terms of your contract.

 

[qbnab]

I haven’t been given a contract so I’m not really sure what is expected of me!

 

[Orchardmakeup]

I would ask for a contract so you know where you stand. I expect my staff to clean the salon if not busy, as they are on commission and I do the towels and bins etc.

 

[FlawlessBeauty]

I would also check if you are covered under salon insurance or if you need your own.

 

[AcidPerm]

I would ask for a contract so you know where you stand. I expect my staff to clean the salon if not busy, as they are on commission and I do the towels and bins etc.

If they’re self employed, they’re not ‘your staff’ so you can only request they help clean the salon but if I was renting space in a salon, I’d tidy my own area and probably suggest you employ a cleaner.

I would also check if you are covered under salon insurance or if you need your own.

If self employed, you really must have your own insurance regardless of the salon’s position.

 

[qbnab]

I have my own insurance and I always clean my space at the end of every day. I have helped clean the salon fully on my days off too. I pay £100 per week which I feel is a lot compared to a lot of places. I’m not in a city centre and I feel like nearly half my wage is going on my rent

 

[AcidPerm]

It’s a business relationship not a flat share, so maybe think about setting some professional boundaries, especially with regards to cleaning the salon on your day off.
You can only be treated badly, if you allow it.

 

[BannerPenguin]

I have my own insurance and I always clean my space at the end of every day. I have helped clean the salon fully on my days off too. I pay £100 per week which I feel is a lot compared to a lot of places. I’m not in a city centre and I feel like nearly half my wage is going on my rent

£100 a week seems fair to me. I wouldn't be doing anything on any days off you have. If that is a big portion of your turnover then I'd say you need to look into marketing to increase your income which should lead to more profit.