Torn between going mobile or renting a table!!!

[*Marie*]

After reading lots of posts on here....I am now not sure what to do! Basically I am just starting out as a nail tech having only trained this year (last month to be exact!!) and I was intending to go mobile until one day last week a beauty salon (this salon has been open 3 months) contacted me and asked me if I would be interested in working for them or renting their table. Or course I said I'd rather rent the table...but the whole prospect is now worrying me as I have never been this independant in my work life before - I must be growing up!!! I just don't know which route to take...any help or advice would much be appreciated!!! xxx

 

[alialy]

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I think mobile is hard work - You use your time and petrol money travelling to and from clients, and then they expect you to charge less than a salon! also ( although Ive not done it myself) I know other techs who were frustrated by clients who would keep them waiting whilst they 'Just put the tea on@ answered the phone/door etc leaving the tech waiting! also you dont have control over the conditions you work in regarding light, temperature etc. With regard to renting a chair I think thats great - but be sure you are confident enough to handle anyone who comes through the door ( bitten nails , funny shapes, etc etc) because clients wont realise youve only just qualified and will expect you to be an expert.
I worked from home for a while, building up my skills and reducing my timings by just working on friends etc, then when i moved to my salon I already had a small but loyal client base to start with.
Dont know if this helps at all????
let me know your descision.
alialy xxxxxxxxxxxxx

 

[ali bongo]

I know how you feel I have been in this situation several times myself. I currently work mobile as it fits well around family life. Then every now and then a salon job, table to rent or opportunity comes up and I start thinking and getting excited about a new thing. My trouble is then that when I work out the cost of rent and childcare I would have to do a lot of clients to pay for my out goings so I change my mind and stick to my part time mobile as my husband babysits and this works best for me at the mo.
Good luck making the decision I know its hard! You could always try renting a table and if its not for you start up a mobile business. Both may be tough to start !
Don't suppose my answer has helped much !

Ali

 

[ADiva1]

Will you be in the salon on a full-time basis? Why not try doing a bit of both? Perhaps when you are not working in the salon, you can do mobile.

With everything there are pros and cons, but its good to try all of whats on offer.

The salon sounds good, but will be a busy salon, what are the terms and conditions whilst working there? Will you be up to working back to back (client after client) in a salon etc?

Personally, I love working at home. I tried both salon and mobile and didnt feel comfortable with either. However, I will give going mobile a better go sometime soon; especially to get to people who do not drive etc.

Hope you make a decision and is happy when you do!

 

[tinkywinky]

I work mobile on a part time basis, I think doing it full time would be both very tiring (lifting equipment, driving between clients, running over in terms of time and then having to call other customers etc.) and also damn hard work to fill a 37 hour week. I struggle to get 5 hours sometimes.

If I were to do it full time then a salon would be a great option.

Work on getting your times good and be confident and happy and you should be fine!!
Why don't you keep practising on people whilst you make a decision??

You could do a list of pro's and con's for mobile vs salon.

Good luck

 

[*Marie*]

That's just the trouble it sounds too good...it's not full time as there aren't enough clients yet for full time work as the salon has only been open for 3 months. So that suits me perfect as I have a 2 year old and a 6 year old so I would work on my hubbies two days off and when I can inbetween.


My dilemna is that I have a hefty credit card bill to pay off from training and buying all the stuff I need, plus I haven't worked since my 2 year old was born so have been in receipt of child tax credit so I am set to lose that, which I don't mind losing that if I am making the money back but I just worry that what if I only have two clients a week and then I will lose out big time!!!

I am so stuck...I am really pleased I have this opportunity but scared at the same time...I have no idea about being self employed and what I should do with the Inland Revenue etc!!!!

 

[Northern Nails]

Hi,
The first thing i noticed about you is that you seem to be a real worrier. Why don't you try mobile and see how you get on, like you have said this fits in perfectly with your lifestyle ao why not give it a try. This will alos help with your times and give you more confidence. I must admit though with yur times, until you are put into a situation where you have to work to a time or near as you just seem to plod along, but it will everntually come. As long as you are producing decent work don't worry to much about the timeing at this stage. I've been mobile for 10 months and to be honest i do get a bit tired of moving about especially during the wet weather!! I am now in the process of renting a table 1 1/2 days a week to run along side my mobile work. Could this not be an option for you. Like yu said you do have to think about rent and childcare, but to be honest with you, you would probably find that you would be doing more nails in the nails you are in the salon that you would be mobile as you ae not moving around so infact you could be earning more...does that make sense?

That's just the trouble it sounds too good...it's not full time as there aren't enough clients yet for full time work as the salon has only been open for 3 months. So that suits me perfect as I have a 2 year old and a 6 year old so I would work on my hubbies two days off and when I can inbetween.


My dilemna is that I have a hefty credit card bill to pay off from training and buying all the stuff I need, plus I haven't worked since my 2 year old was born so have been in receipt of child tax credit so I am set to lose that, which I don't mind losing that if I am making the money back but I just worry that what if I only have two clients a week and then I will lose out big time!!!

I am so stuck...I am really pleased I have this opportunity but scared at the same time...I have no idea about being self employed and what I should do with the Inland Revenue etc!!!!

 

[ZOE!]

Hi there i have just started renting a table in a beauty salon and i was also very worried to start with. I done my training in april and have a few clients since then for weddings etc. but not overlay busy! I saw the advertisement and just thought id go for it. They advertised for me in the local paper and i am getting leaflets made up also. The first weeks i wasnt busy only had one client then the next week i was busy and its getting a little busier. Although it may take quite a bit of time. Its all about letting people know you are there. I have noticed abig difference in my nails and my timings have a came down too. I have had one complaint so far but i just handled it proffesionally. I would go with the renting and give it a few months to build up, then if it doesnt work out then you can still go mobile. You wont know until you try it.x