Starting up, self employed

[charley_]

So I'm going self-employed (renting a room out within a hair salon) for the first time and looking for some advice...

I will be keeping all my client cards separate from the hair salon so wondering if anyone has any advice or recommendations on the best client cards to use if bought online? Best way to store them? How long must they be kept for? Best way to keep on top of admin and paperwork...

Also, any tips or pointers on building a clientele or starting up for the first time would be appreciated as I'm super excited but it is very daunting!

Thanks in advance! X

 

[Heejeon]

Try shedul.com
It's free calendar system for online booking and it also reminds clients their appointment time

 

[charley_]

Try shedul.com
It's free calendar system for online booking and it also reminds clients their appointment time

i have a booking system as i am just sharing with the salon. i just need to organise my client consultation cards and thought it may be easier to have a paper copy to start off

 

[AcidPerm]

Data Protection laws cover paper record systems as well as electronic filing systems. Therefore, whatever system you use to store client data needs to be lockable, completely secure and not accessible by others.

Assume you need to keep records for a minimum of 6 years after they’re left. Obviously, you can archive ex client data into a second system stored elsewhere to create space in your current system once it starts to get full.

 

[MoniiLew]

As far as tips on starting out for the first time I would definitely spend some time looking into insurance (assuming the salon isn't somehow covering you). The last thing you want to do is find yourself uninsured if an accident or a legal dispute with a client should arise. I'm in the states and get mine from a site called Elite Beauty Society, but I'm sure you can find something similar in Scotland. Just make sure that you pick a flexible plan that will cover any and all of the work you plan on doing.

 

[Valerie_T]

Paper mess is unnecessary, you can simply have your own booking system with only your client records, since you’re still working independently in the salon