How did you make it through the beginning stage of new job?

[Danika]

Hi all! I just started my new job TODAY (as an employee) at a really nice salon in the town next to mine (only 10 minutes from home... )

It's a great salon that does primarily hair (well known in the area as top-notch, and also where I get my own hair done) but they also have a very busy estitician. They have hired me as their only massage therapist, re-did the former nail room for massage (no more nail smell...yay!) and plan to market me fairly agressively. I like the stylists and the boss, and they have been very welcoming and encouraging. So, so far so good, right?

Here's my dilemma: Because I am an employee, and it's not technically my business, (though, yes, it will be my practice) I can't market myself in the same ways that I was going to if I had opened my own private practice. I am REALLY into marketing, and had already picked a name, done business cards, brochures, etc., and started to work on a Spaboom website (the wonderful people at Spaboom have agreed to put my project on hold and didn't even charge me for the work they had done so far, and even went so far as to congratulate me on getting this job instead, etc...can't say enough about them...should put it in the Spaboom thread, really.) ANYWAY...now I can't do any of that, but need to promote myself anyway, somehow, and I'm feeling a bit lost...

I know that I'll spend many days initially just introducing myself to the salon clients, giving out my business card, etc., and massaging the staff at a large discount (which is fine with me, as I will get my hair done the same way!). I know that the salon will do its best to promote me, but I know it will take time, and I'm hoping some of you have some advice on how to "keep my chin up" while I work and wait to build up a client base...while not getting paid, by the way, since I'm working on a split basis.

 

[FoulgeVossess]

This is the age-old situation. Are you an employee, or an independent contractor? If you are working on a split, as you say, you are probably an independent contractor and in fact can market yourself as much as, and any way, you ding-dang please.

UNLESS you have signed a contract specifying otherwise.

Tell us more about your arrangement.

In most cases like this you would probably need your own business name and might as well go ahead with the website, cards, etc.

 

[John Carriere]

To clarify, I'm definitely an employee. Perhaps I should have said commission instead of split. I make a perceneforum.xxxe (decent one) on each massage I do, but I work certain prescribed hours and they supply everything. I don't get an hourly wage, though, just commission. The potential is great, there, though, because it's extraordinarily busy, and the staff is very supportive and wanting to see the massage part of the salon grow.

 

[hhudson]

Well it sounds like you can still market yourself, just as "salon name's" massage therapist. Can you get salon business cards with your name on them to hand out to people you meet? All those people waiting for their hair to process can get to know you and your touch with a quick shoulder massage while you introduce yourself, or a hand massage while they are under the dryer. (Don't work anything out of those muscles, just make them melt a little and give them your salon card) Maybe try to chime in on the conversations going on with the hair stylists (this was always very hard for me) that way people also get to know you through conversation and will trust you faster. Perhaps you can get a badge made with the salon name and your name w/ MT on it to wear around the salon?

Well that's all I have for now, but I think you can still market yourself (and the salon) as an employee when you are out and about.

 

[John Carriere]

Congratulations on getting this job!

Do you have a contract already finished and signed? You may be able toget the salon to advertise in their name, with "Featuring__________" - your business name that you have all picked out! Your website could link to the salon's site, with your location being the salon.

If they are featuring your business within their business, it would look very professional, and you would appear already completely established, which people tend to feel more trusting towards. When there are calls for a massage, the receptionist can "fit them in" with 2 or 3 times of availability, causing them to want to get in before there are no openings left.

Whatever you do, have fun!

 

[Mindy joy]

Thanks, everybody, for your suggestions! I had my second day today, and it went really well. I took my massage chair in and did complimentary chair massage, and got terrific feedback. Lots of buzz in the salon about it, and many clients saying they will schedule a massage soon. The owner is planning a print ad campaign to introduce me. Already have business cards from there with my name, and a menu of massage services printed up. So things are looking good, although, gosh, I'm tired tonight!

I just need to keep remembering that THIS is why I went through 2 years of school, studying for nationals, etc., etc. I earned enough in tips to pay for doggy day care today, so that's a start, right??? It will only get better from here!

 

[Jinstar]

THIS is why I went through 2 years of school, studying for nationals, etc., etc. I earned enough in tips to pay for doggy day care today, so that's a start, right??? It will only get better from here!

If you are happy with how you spend your time and you are able to pay for the life you want to live, then yes, THIS IS why you went through the trouble to get this going. And this may be 'it' for you or a stepping stone...either way make sure it is fun and puts yourself on the path of experiencing joy and bliss!

So glad the day went well! Best wishes.

 

[Donna E]

She still sounds like an IC to me. But on the other hand also like an employee. Because the salon specified what hours she had to be there. But, she is only being paid commission which is how an IC is paid. I'd be looking into what the IRS says about that. Another issue. Can she see her own clients (non-salon) there? Or is it limited to salon clients only?

 

[The_Girl_From_Ipanema]

Thanks so much for asking! I've been so busy, I've barely had time to skim the boards lately, much less post, so tonight I'm taking the time.

I love working at the salon! It's really going great, and I have high hopes that I will be very busy by the holidays. Already, I usually have at least one or two table massages booked for each day (some are fellow employees or family members of employees, which are at a discounted rate, but that's OK...I'm happy to do it, especially when I hear them raving to their clients later on... ) I've already had re-bookings, and clients making appointments for their spouses, etc., right after their massage, so I feel as if it's going really well. What I've been doing in my downtime is offering complimentary chair massage to anyone in the salon who would like one, often times while they are waiting for their hair appointment or while their color is processing, etc. I read a thread here on the boards in the chair massage discussion about the cons of offering free sessions, but for me it has worked out beautifully. I'm getting my hands on TONS of people, I'm keeping busy, and introducing a lot of people to massage in general and my hands in particular, and I am getting lots of people book on the spot, with many more promising to book in the upcoming weeks. The tips I have been getting make it worth my while to do it, too. If I was charging for the chair massage, I would have to split what I charge with the salon, and the clients, I'm sure wouldn't be as generous with their tips as they are now. Table massage, of course, is full price, on the higher end of the scale for massage around this area, and no one has balked. Like I said earlier, it's a high-end salon, so people are expecting a premium price. And premium service, of course!

The esthetitian and I are trying to come up with some awesome packages to sell for gift certificates, etc. It's all so exciting, and I love having other people to work with. Having worked all on my own (owned two different home-based sole-proprieter businesses before going to MT school) for a lot of my working life made this decision to work in the salon the right choice for me at this time.

The hardest part of this is waiting out the period that is slow during this building process. I know it will come, but soon I'll be having money taken out to pay for health insurance, and that's going to hurt! :

The other thing is...boy, oh boy, does work interfere with my social life and doing errands and things!! That's OK, I'll get used to it. For now, life is good. t023

 

[Gee]

To clarify, I'm definitely an employee. Perhaps I should have said commission instead of split. I make a perceneforum.xxxe (decent one) on each massage I do, but I work certain prescribed hours and they supply everything.

What are you expected to do with the times there is not a client?

Robyn