In trouble with my boss... weird situation, any advice appreciated.

[Ginismedicinal]

I'm a hairdresser with 30 years experience, I'm employed in a salon and FULLY booked up til the end of November, not even room for a cut and blow dry... but, my boss sat me down yesterday to say I'm not earning her enough money, she's having to 'carry me'!
I've been here 2 years and, strangely, they charge about £40 for a full head highlights, toners and cut and blow dry!! I've NEVER worked anywhere that charges less than £90+ for a service like this.
Obviously they can't be charging enough to cover wages/overheads etc, and suddenly, out of nowhere I've been taken asside for this chat that there's not enough money coming in.
I'm the only stylist here, I open up, I close etc, just me. How am I to earn them more money if I'm fully booked up months in advance? I don't even have ANY breaks etc.
Is there something I'm missing? I'm so confused by this sudden 'problem' where the solution is in the owners control, not mine... charge more for the services! 🤦🏻‍♀️

This and all the other good advice on here. Good luck OP

@ItcanbeDone

"Bowl cut bellend" 😂😂😂

I think you should set up by yourself or hire a chair in another Salon. I never pay less than £96 and thats one of the cheaper ones I have been too, one girl used to charge me £130 a time

Yes. Quietly let your customers know you’ll be going mobile
definitely sounds as though the owner is a bit dodgy
Is there no small business start up advice centres around who could advise you on starting up
also I know someone who got a local with experience to do her books for tax etc
she was a hairdresser who went mobile
good luck in whatever you do. It’s her loss

She wants you to quit, so go quietly.
Hope you've resigned OP.

I have a lovely lady who does my hair in my own home and charges 30 for a cut and blow dry. She has loads of clients but keeps to a small local area. You could do the same and be far better off with no overheads!

Hey everyone,
I'm not sure if she'd require me to work any notice - all salons I've worked in don't. Once a stylist leaves, or is fired, they've had to go there and then so the business 'safeguards' against potential client poaching etc. That's just my experience though.
I won't poach her clients - they all know how to contact me, so if they want to they can... may not be a good business attitude on my part, but I'd feel bad trying to 'sneak' clients. I'll make sure I advertise well - if they want to follow it's their choice, no pressure.
I'm not entirely sure what my next steps are... I thought mobile, but I'm looking into options at the moment. Thanks vivalavida for the 'I'd give you a job' comment... made me smile 😊
I did infact have my own salon for 4 years, with 4 stylists. Covid essentially killed it, but I know how nightmarish it is dealing with finding good staff. It's one of the reasons I've made sure I gave my all to this job - to be a reliable, fully booked stylist with lots of experience, to help the owner... seems my efforts are not only irrelevant, but also exploited. Time I got my sh*t together and stopped being such a sucker. Lost my self-worth somewhere along the way I think...

You sound like a good qualified hairdresser. Round us there's a lot of demand for good hairdressers and several of the local salons are short of people. so if you don't fancy going mobile I think you just need to take the first step and move.

Only read the first post and no comments as there are loads of them.

It is the business owner that is responsible for pricing of services, not you. This is their fault the fact that they are charging so low. You need to tell them this and show them the diary that you’re booked up until the end of November too - I can imagine December is filling up with Christmas approaching. Seems like they’re trying to blame their struggling business on you!

With 30 years experience behind you, and I guess that people have their reasons but I’d be looking to open my own salon and stop making money for other people. You have the experience (and the clientele) to take with you. Let’s face it, they probably won’t find someone as experienced as you to replace..

Your boss sounds like a moron, frankly. I would start looking elsewhere in your shoes...

Only read the first post and no comments as there are loads of them.

You could have made the effort to read the OP’s follow up comments, at least. Would have saved you writing out advice she has already had and reflected on and you’d know her future intentions.

Apologies if this has already been said as I haven’t read the full thread but it sounds as if her business is a front for money laundering as you say she has local ‘mafia’ connections. She keeps your prices low to ensure there is a steady supply of customers and therefore a high (in numbers) turnover. Probably inflates her figures on any tax filings (if she even does run a legal business).

Get away from this situation as soon as you can as it all sounds very dodgy.

Good luck!

Sounds like money laundering, but she just can't resist a bit of slave labour thrown in. Either that or complete incompetence. Very strange.

Could you gather any capital? Offer to buy her out if her business model isn't working for her. Make sure to price the business on only the turnover you can verify.

At those prices the salon is barely breaking even on the cost of the salon plus the materials. It's clearly very poorly managed. Move salon and take your loyal customers with you.

For your own protection, I’d ask for this in writing, or email her confirming details of your conversation 🙂

In your area is it possible to rent a chair at another hair salon and charge your own prices?

The very best of luck for today @Ginismedicinal - she's been taking the piss but no more! You've got this x

You'd earn more than minimum wage if you became a tutor in hairdressing. Worth a look.

I love having a hairdresser come to the house. It's much more convenient!

I agree. There are loads of salons in my town - I am sure at least one of them is looking for well qualified and experienced staff at any one time, and I suspect the same is true in most areas - if you approached them you could easily find a better paid job.

There's always the option of going part-time while building up a mobile business as well, especially if it's a "chair rent" type of role.

Most hairdressers seem to have their own Insta feed now as well so people can follow you and find out where you've gone.

I love this OP, I can tell from your posts you are positive and proactive, I think you are going to do great
Please come back and update the thread?

You will easily be able to rent a chair at another salon. Good luck

Sorry I’ve not read the full thread just OP’s comments but cannot believe that a salon is charging only £40 for a full head of highlights. Salons I’ve used in past year or so in south wales are from £110-140 depending on stylist. A cut and blow dry alone here is £40.

What an awful way to treat anyone, and I suspect you don’t get anywhere near minimum wage given all the extra hours and lack of breaks. She’s also in breach of various directives about working time (re breaks), not giving you written terms, and I suspect has done nothing about H&S (which is a concern in a space with chemicals etc). Please please leave - even if it’s to another salon until you get enough confidence to go out on your own. You’re being exploited and you are not in a safe working environment.

What a ridiculous situation. She can’t be very bright if she doesn’t realise she needs to charge more. What is she doing in the business herself? Is she also a hairdresser? If there’s only you and you’re doing all the work she can’t expect what you solely bring in to sustain the two of you. I’d set up on your own or find another job