Calling all beauticians on here..!

[Cherryblossom200]

Hello!

I’m not sure if I’m on the right forum, this sort of crosses on work but feel is the best place to get the advice I need.

I’m looking for a career change, I’m a project manager but I’ve had enough of the corporate world. I find it stressful and unfulfilling.

I’m a single mum, have been for over 10 years and done it successfully. But I’m looking for a new challenge and one that would allow me to work flexibly so I can be there for my DD.

I’ve always had a natural interest in wellness, health and vitality. I very much believe in a holistic approach to beauty and thinking of doing a beauty course. My vision is the build up a client base and create my own brand/products and eventually a 360 treatment centre for knackered people.

Am I nuts in thinking about this? I was earning over £40k before, in a job which I hated but it paid the bills.

I’ve called around a few beauty training academies who have sold me the dream, but I’d like first hand experience and advice please 🙏 I have savings from a redundancy which I’ve not touched, but thought it would make sense to use some of it to re-train. I need to start earning money fairly quickly!

Is this something you enjoy? Do you earn good money for your job? How easy was it for you to find clients?

I appreciated any advice!

Many thanks

X

I’ve done it for 11 years now (both salon and now self employed) and have a good, steady client base and always booked up. However it’s took a while to get to that stage so be prepared to not earn much at all for a few years at least!

I'd recommend starting off in a salon, there you will have the backup of other therapists and you’ll also hopefully start to grow your own client base from there. Be prepared again though for low pay, even minimum wage in a salon.

Down sides- (my opinion, not every therapist might think the same).
I’ve found the longer I do this job it can be draining being ‘on’ all day; chatting and having a happy and positive persona. If you’re having a bad day or really can’t be bothered, you can’t really show it in this industry as it’s not fair on the clients. It’s also physically demanding on your body. If you’re planning on getting in to nails, be prepared for being a dusty mess by the end of the day!

Positives-
The relationships you build with long term clients is lovely, you do become almost friends with them .
In relation to what I said about having to be ‘on’ all the time even if you don’t feel like it, the upside of this is putting on a smile and having to be cheerful really does cheer you up if you’re having a bad day. Great clients are just as good for my mental health as a good manicure and chat is to them.
Lastly, it’s so rewarding having someone leave your chair feeling great and so pleased with what you’ve done, it’s a brilliant feeling.

I definitely recommend it, but please don’t be fooled in to thinking it’s a lovely, chilled job. It’s hard work, and not as flexible as you think. Clients are demanding, you have to be flexible for them if anything, especially at the start when you’re trying to build a base. You will HAVE to work long hours to make decent money if you’re going to be self employed.
I’d say you could match your current level of income once you’re established, perhaps even more depending on the treatments you offer, but definitely not straight away. It’s a long slog to build up a good loyal client base. You will have to work full time hours also to earn well.

Sorry this is long, but hope I’ve made sense so late at night 🙈.

Thank you sooo much! This is brilliant advice and just what I needed to hear! I’m unsure if this is going to be right for me purely as I need to start earning money fairly quickly as I have a mortgage and bills to pay. Building up a client base will take time as you say. I’m fit for me age, but in 10 years time will I want to be standing on my feet all day - not sure!!

Thank you so much again xx