melhand :
> I know my opinion is not going to be the most popular one....but this comes
> from one who's worked in all different situations including owning. Please
> keep in mind this is my opinion based on my experience. I was hesitant to
> post due to some of the more recent postings on the forum but hopefully this
> will help some understand why all salons do not pay out at 50%.
>
> First, you should understand that the % you are paid is going to be dependent
> upon MANY factors....
> 1. Your experience - don't expect high % just out of school
> 2. The clients you are bringing to the table - a tech coming with a clientele
> can demand a little bit higher % than one with nothing
> 3. Who is supplying the product - Don't expect 50% if the salon is paying not
> only all of the overhead in the salon but also providing all of the products
> you are using (particularly if the salon is using top quality products)
> 4. Salon overhead (rent, electric, phone, internet, scheduling/salon software,
> water, sewer, garbage, cleaning, toiletry items and paper supplies, administrative
> staff, etc) - this ads up very quickly and benefits every person working in
> the salon
> 5. What the salon is charging for services - Some area the prices for services
> may be able to be fixed high enough to give the salon owner a little more room
> to offer higher % commissions. However, these areas generally also come with
> higher overhead.
> 6. How much training you are going to need and if the salon is providing this
> training or not (not very many are completely prepared just out of school and
> do need training in most every area of the biz) - Believe it or not it does
> cost a salon to train new employees. It takes time, product, and potentially
> lost clients if the new hire is not up to par and clients are unhappy with
> the work they've had done on them by the "trainee"
> 7. How much you bring in the salon weekly
> 8. Your responsibility (are you managing, etc) - if you are managing, helping
> with protocol and/or training personnel then yes, you should expect a higher
> %
> 9. How much and how expensive the advertising and marketing is (that will
> benefit the salon and its employees) - this costs a load of money for any
> salon and can be as simple as putting occasional ads in a local newspaper to
> something more involved such as hiring a marketing firm and participating in
> local events (which all come with a price tag). But it's all a benefit to
> each employee.
> 10. What other amenities is the salon offering not only to the techs but also
> to the clients - coffee and other beverages all cost money, towel services
> cost money, etc.
>
> You may be able to get yourself into a situation that pays out 50% or more
> in commissions and you may not. But look at it like this.....is it better
> to get a higher % of nothing than a smaller % of something? How busy is the
> salon? How much work and effort is the salon owner putting into building YOUR
> book? You could turn down a really good career in a really great salon if
> all you look at is the % commission paid out.
>
> Some salons, mine included, pay out on a sliding scale dependent upon what
> your gross income into the salon is. This percentage is going to vary from
> salon to salon and is ultimately up to the salon owner. Something that techs
> need to understand is that it doesn't do anyone any good for a salon owner
> to pay out at 50% and be out of business in 6 months to a year because the
> percentage the salon takes in is not covering expenses. Believe me, the salon
> is not making the owner into a millionaire. In many cases, techs do not fully
> understand all these concepts until they've actually owned a salon and had
> to pay out all of the expenses that come with salon ownership. And every situation
> is different, every area is different and ever tech & salon owner is different.
> What one owner may be able to bear in commissions another may not. This
> is something that you should sit down and discuss with the owner of the salon
> you are wanting to work in.
**
You bring up really good points and I thank you for being brave enough to post.
No, you're absolutely right. I'm new. I know it's unrealistic to expect the world. I did turn it down mostly because I'd be commuting on a good day, 30 mins each way, on a bad day, well over an hour and a half (the area isn't directly near a freeway) and I just wanted the chance to try to make a little more in terms of commission, maybe 40%. I am perfectly comfortable marketing myself and that's what I'll do immediately when I get situated in a Salon I want to stay in but I wanted to avoid more "sticker-shock" moments because of my lack of Information....
So, thanks!
