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Thread: Finished School - Now What?

  1. #1
    AudreyLeigh
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    Default Finished School - Now What?

    I finished Cosmo school and am now a licensed Cosmetologist... but have no desire to go into a field and make nothing. I know it takes time to build a clientel and blah blah but I dont want to work 40 hours a week for min wage and a few tips. So, after 15 months of school and after years of wanting to quit dancing I find myself going after the easy money again. I think like all dancers... I can work one weekend and make what Ill make in a month at my normal job. Im trying to find a salon that will let me work part time to no avail.

    This leaves me with one option - because Im used to working when I want and not sitting around (which is what Id be doing while building) then I can rent a booth. $600 a month but I can work when I want and set my own prices. But in the beginning itll be like throwing money down the drain as I have few friends/customers to work on.

    Oh I dunno what to do. My thing is if I do this I can still work 2 weekends a month dancing which will cover my station rent and all my bills while I build a clientel and not be broke.... ahhhh.... so frustrating... any advice?

    ~Audrey

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    Banned ArmySGT.'s Avatar
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    Default Re: Finished School - Now What?

    1. Get the hell out of California.
    2. I owuld say move to southern Oregon but that is because I like it there. However Reno/Carson city is bustling / More clientelle/ and no income tax.
    3. Go back to school and take business classes (if you have not done so.) Accounting, Marketing, etc . No body likes to work for someone else.
    4. Do large shows like chorus lines hire cosmotologists?

    5. great to see you posting again.

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    God/dess sxybrat07's Avatar
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    Default Re: Finished School - Now What?

    Well, my sister just finished cosmetology school as well. She looked until she found a salon that she could pick how she got paid. She started as commission, so she gets paid a percentage of everything she does. However, once she builds her client base up, she can switch to paying booth rent if she chooses.

    Maybe you can find a place like that, so at first you're not out a bunch of money, you can build up your clientelle and still dance on the weekends, and then switch after you get a client base.
    I believe you Dottie and you have my support

  4. #4
    madmaxine
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    Default Re: Finished School - Now What?

    Quote Originally Posted by ArmySGT. View Post
    However Reno/Carson city is bustling / More clientelle/ and no income tax.
    Yes, this is true. A lot of money & people that poured out of California went there...The tax situation is better too versus California.

    Good to see you back.

  5. #5
    AudreyLeigh
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    Default Re: Finished School - Now What?

    You are licensed by state so I cannot work out of state unless i want to attend more school to learn THAT states rules and retake their stateboard. Also in Nevada you need 200 more hours of schooling. No way in hell am I going back to school. (15 months of hell was enough for me! And were putting a bid in on a house here Friday and my daughter was just enrolled in private school and my life/friends/family are here. Im not into money so much I would uproot my life. This is my personal opinion. If I was a single woman I would most likely follow the $$$! And my guy makes good money. We have looked into moving out of state and in most states his income would drop $30-40K. Makes no sense... be better off staying here and me not working.

    Traveling is not a choice with my daughter. I dont want to be gone and leave her for long periods of time. Especially with her busy schedule... too hard.

    So - heres my options. Want to know what YOU would do - being a dancer and knowing the lifestyle (hours/money). But also wanting something a bit more stable (no travel, etc)

    salary - about $8-$12 an hour +tips (guaranteed income)
    commission - 40% of work done +tips (no guarantee unless clients come) and you work for their prices and at THEIR schedules
    booth rental - 100% proceeds +tips - set your own schedule and prices but NO guarantee of money... (almost like dancing! LOL.. you pay them and hope to make money!)

    Damn.... the more I type the more I think Ill just rent a booth. Most people from my school that assisted or started somewhere ended up finding someone to share a booth with.... maybe I can find someone and we can share the booth and both work part time... hmmmm...

    Thanks for your advice!! Think I may have figured it out but ya know feedback is always nice...

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    Default Re: Finished School - Now What?

    Quote Originally Posted by AudreyLeigh View Post
    You are licensed by state so I cannot work out of state unless i want to attend more school to learn THAT states rules and retake their stateboard. Also in Nevada you need 200 more hours of schooling. No way in hell am I going back to school. (15 months of hell was enough for me! And were putting a bid in on a house here Friday and my daughter was just enrolled in private school and my life/friends/family are here. Im not into money so much I would uproot my life. This is my personal opinion. If I was a single woman I would most likely follow the $$$! And my guy makes good money. We have looked into moving out of state and in most states his income would drop $30-40K. Makes no sense... be better off staying here and me not working.
    I hear ya! I have a semester to go with Gunsmithing, then i need to make money to go for the BS in Business. Family roots are strong. Though I prefer having my now retired (and quite bored) Parents at a distance. I will bet with the cost of living the extra 30-40K though is what your man needs for the cost of living. Cali's crazy Laws and higher cost of living just would not be for me.

    Quote Originally Posted by AudreyLeigh View Post
    Traveling is not a choice with my daughter. I dont want to be gone and leave her for long periods of time. Especially with her busy schedule... too hard.
    Yep, family first.

    Quote Originally Posted by AudreyLeigh View Post
    So - heres my options. Want to know what YOU would do - being a dancer and knowing the lifestyle (hours/money). But also wanting something a bit more stable (no travel, etc)
    Here I am unqualified to answer. My perspective is from the other side of the G string.


    Quote Originally Posted by AudreyLeigh View Post
    salary - about $8-$12 an hour +tips (guaranteed income)
    commission - 40% of work done +tips (no guarantee unless clients come) and you work for their prices and at THEIR schedules
    booth rental - 100% proceeds +tips - set your own schedule and prices but NO guarantee of money... (almost like dancing! LOL.. you pay them and hope to make money!)
    Peachtree accounting software will be a big help as will MS Excel for cost comparisons in products and pricing.

    Quote Originally Posted by AudreyLeigh View Post
    Damn.... the more I type the more I think Ill just rent a booth. Most people from my school that assisted or started somewhere ended up finding someone to share a booth with.... maybe I can find someone and we can share the booth and both work part time... hmmmm...

    Thanks for your advice!! Think I may have figured it out but ya know feedback is always nice...
    Just need someone reliable, trustworthy, and honest, that has good work ethics. Partners are easy to find. Partners with the afore mentioned traits. Rare like hens teeth.

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    Default Re: Finished School - Now What?

    Sounds to me like you should listen to your heart now. You went to school because you were interested in the field, but I think you also want to do the new work on your own terms. Nothing wrong with that--great businesses always start that way! You can toss figures around in your head and make arguments and rationalizations either way, but the truth is if you don't try it you'll always wonder why not. So maybe you should follow your heart and give it a shot.
    JK Jim

  8. #8
    madmaxine
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    Default Re: Finished School - Now What?

    Quote Originally Posted by AudreyLeigh View Post
    Want to know what YOU would do - being a dancer and knowing the lifestyle (hours/money). But also wanting something a bit more stable (no travel, etc)
    I'd work occasionally in San Francisco (not that far of trip) & rent a booth in a downtown salon close to your home...

    Are you willing to start at salary wages to get a feel for the business?
    & If I was not getting salary, I'd use all my business acumen from stripping to advertise myself heavily, make sure I make my money back at the salon...The salon benefits indirectly from your bringing in increased foot traffic so I can't see them complaining about promoting yourself alone & not the entire salon (sound like another holdover from strip clubs...? Businesses are so similar...)

  9. #9
    AudreyLeigh
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    Default Re: Finished School - Now What?

    I will bet with the cost of living the extra 30-40K though is what your man needs for the cost of living. Cali's crazy Laws and higher cost of living just would not be for me.
    He commutes from here (Sacramento) to the bay area. His pay is based on bay area cost of living which is a lot more than where were buying. If he got a job even here in Sacramento his pay will go down about 20%... so we have it pretty good with pay and the home were buying, etc. There is some kind of method to our madness Except that my beau has a 2 hour commute each way!

    Sacramentos cost of living is nothing compared to SF. Were buying a 2600 sq ft home (brand new - being built as I type) for $399K in a really nice brand new area. One of the nicest areas here. Now that the housing bubble has burst its awesome for buyers. (comparable homes sold 2-3 years ago for $650K) This same home if we bought where he works would be about double.. if not more so its worth the drive to him.

    I just spoke with a girlfriend from the club. Think Ill rent a booth somewhere where I can give out coupons if I wanted (just to start building) and give 25% off the first service. Hand them out to the girls at the club and extras for them to give to friends and family. Then do something like refer 3 people get 1 free haircut. (This is how my mom built her clientel). My goal is in 2 years to be bringing home $5K a month which is totally do-able (in my head at least!) My mom jokes and calls it stripper money with your clothes on! (she does hair too)

    Being a dancer is a great asset since I make great money part time and have the funds to start up a business.... not to mention my mom has been there, done that and helps a bit in what to do and what not to do. But she started salary, moved to commission and then to booth rental. I just kinda want to skip steps 1 and 2... no baby steps.. I tend to leap...

  10. #10
    madmaxine
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    Default Re: Finished School - Now What?

    Well then you'll have to do my hair next time I pass through on the way home...

    I mean it, there are no good salons where I live. Working a haircut into a trip home is easier than going out of my way to get it done.

    Can I PM you for Myspace so I can set it up in the future?

  11. #11
    AudreyLeigh
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    Default Re: Finished School - Now What?

    Sure can Maxine... Ill be around...

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    Default Re: Finished School - Now What?

    Do make up/hair at a strip club.

    Or, do your booth rental, make up some cards, and stop by a club and do some hair and give out your cards.

    And/or just leave a bunch of your cards in all the dressing rooms in town.

    Strippers are the best customers. :-)



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    Default Re: Finished School - Now What?

    Where'd you go to cosmetology school?
    Did the school not have anyone come in looking for new talent?
    Any "upscale" salons in your area?

  14. #14
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    Default Re: Finished School - Now What?

    Quote Originally Posted by AudreyLeigh View Post
    You are licensed by state so I cannot work out of state unless i want to attend more school to learn THAT states rules and retake their stateboard. Also in Nevada you need 200 more hours of schooling. No way in hell am I going back to school. (15 months of hell was enough for me! And were putting a bid in on a house here Friday and my daughter was just enrolled in private school and my life/friends/family are here. Im not into money so much I would uproot my life. This is my personal opinion. If I was a single woman I would most likely follow the $$$! And my guy makes good money. We have looked into moving out of state and in most states his income would drop $30-40K. Makes no sense... be better off staying here and me not working.

    Traveling is not a choice with my daughter. I dont want to be gone and leave her for long periods of time. Especially with her busy schedule... too hard.

    So - heres my options. Want to know what YOU would do - being a dancer and knowing the lifestyle (hours/money). But also wanting something a bit more stable (no travel, etc)

    salary - about $8-$12 an hour +tips (guaranteed income)
    commission - 40% of work done +tips (no guarantee unless clients come) and you work for their prices and at THEIR schedules
    booth rental - 100% proceeds +tips - set your own schedule and prices but NO guarantee of money... (almost like dancing! LOL.. you pay them and hope to make money!)

    Damn.... the more I type the more I think Ill just rent a booth. Most people from my school that assisted or started somewhere ended up finding someone to share a booth with.... maybe I can find someone and we can share the booth and both work part time... hmmmm...

    Thanks for your advice!! Think I may have figured it out but ya know feedback is always nice...
    I would go with the commission idea until I built up my clientale then go to booth rental.

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    Veteran Member Kitsune83's Avatar
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    Default Re: Finished School - Now What?

    SHIT YEAH! Sell hair services to strippers! We're notoriously fickle about hairstyles, and we get more expensive services (color, highlights, straightening, extensions) than the average bear. I think you could do great by marketing directly to strippers; and you know, we have kids, friends, etc.....that we'd recommend our favorite stylist to! :o) good luck!

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    Default Re: Finished School - Now What?

    Market yourself and rent a stool in a salon.

    Freelance.

    Use your hustle skills.

    And TOTALLY market to strippers.

  17. #17
    AudreyLeigh
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    Default Re: Finished School - Now What?

    Quote Originally Posted by greenidlady1 View Post
    Where'd you go to cosmetology school?
    Did the school not have anyone come in looking for new talent?
    Any "upscale" salons in your area?
    I went to school here in Sacramento and yes they have lifetime job placement and tons of salons. I externed at a half dozen salons. Mostly upscale and I hated them all. Very bad experiences. I hate how they think theyre better than everyone else and are all snobby. I expect some brats (just like the SC) but dont want to be at a place like that. I want somewhere somewhat mellow and casual. And I will kill myself if I have to wear black day in and day out (like at school) I want to be able to dress cute and have fun. Not be told what to do and how to do it.

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    Veteran Member datchapin's Avatar
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    Default Re: Finished School - Now What?

    Networking is the most important thing. Rent the booth, then let it pay for itself by letting others use it for a fee, maybe some people that you went to school with. This way you get other's input on improving the business and if one day can open up your own saloon have people you can hire immediately. Organize a schedule where you and whoever else can keep track to make appointments.

    Market to strippers and customers at the SC. Use myspace to advertise or open up your own site. Screen the potential customers and let them know on your site what services you provide and prices. If you got other people using the booth you could list them and their specialties as well.

    I'm not in the cosmetics business or anything, these are just general ideas. Hope this helps.
    The more I see, the less I know, the more I like to let it go! - RHCP

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    Default Re: Finished School - Now What?

    Quote Originally Posted by AudreyLeigh View Post
    I went to school here in Sacramento and yes they have lifetime job placement and tons of salons. I externed at a half dozen salons. Mostly upscale and I hated them all. Very bad experiences. I hate how they think theyre better than everyone else and are all snobby. I expect some brats (just like the SC) but dont want to be at a place like that. I want somewhere somewhat mellow and casual. And I will kill myself if I have to wear black day in and day out (like at school) I want to be able to dress cute and have fun. Not be told what to do and how to do it.
    I am going to the Aveda Institute in July. We have to wear all black as well.

    How were the upscale salons bad experiences except for snobiness? Do they teach you to do hair a different way then you learned orginally? I understand some things are skill while others are common sense, having a sense of taste and style that goes along with it.

    And I would never suggest marketing to just one group of people, money is money whether it's a stripper, a doctor, priest or a construction worker. Also, I wouldn't make my past known, some people can be judgemental and it's no one's business.

  20. #20
    AudreyLeigh
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    Default Re: Finished School - Now What?

    95% of upscale salons want you to assist. I am not going to sweep hair, serve coffee and hold foils for $8 an hour (and some dont give u any tips!) for a year so i can learn some special haircut or foiling technique. Id rather pay and take advanced classes and learn on my own. I just got a bad feeling - whatever it was and didnt like it. Youll see when you extern what I mean. Im sure Ill find the right place... just havent yet.

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    Default Re: Finished School - Now What?

    Quote Originally Posted by AudreyLeigh View Post
    95% of upscale salons want you to assist. I am not going to sweep hair, serve coffee and hold foils for $8 an hour (and some dont give u any tips!) for a year so i can learn some special haircut or foiling technique. Id rather pay and take advanced classes and learn on my own.
    I assisted for 8 months after I got my liscence... best damn thing I ever did after school. I know at a lot of salons you're an overglorified go-fer. However, ask if a salon uses the SUMMIT program. It's an excellent way to make sure you're actually learning rather than picking up dry cleaning. It also helped that the owners of my salon are two national Redken educators and platform artists.

    When I assisted, the only thing I didn't do was foil placement and cutting on the clients. I would practice techniques for foiling and cutting in my down time on maniqiuns and models. By the time I completed the program, I felt very confident and my effiency greatly improved. I dunno about California, but here, the basics you learn in school are enough to get you through your board exams, not the salon.

    Yes, you get a shit hourly and a miniscule tip out (if any), but you can always work Saturdays and Sundays at the club to pay the bills without having to starve.

  22. #22
    AudreyLeigh
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    Default Re: Finished School - Now What?

    I did the Pivot Point program so we learned a lot more than state board... for what I paid i better. I know Wella quite well and LOVE color... foiling and color placement is easy for me. Only thing is Im not "scissor happy"... Im still a bit nervous about cutting but thats because I havent done a lot... Ive never heard of SUMMIT - Ill have to do a search...

  23. #23
    AudreyLeigh
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    Default Re: Finished School - Now What?

    So, at my moms salon... a spot opened up. Its a small salon - 4 booths - across the street from Chico State. So, on a whim were moving to Chico. My dads looking for a house for us to buy (thank God for an agent/loan officer in the family) Were rushing to get pre-approved.

    So, upon the fall there will be 14,000 college students for my picking. The salons rent is $60 a week but in Sept will go to $120. Im so excited. I love my guy. When I said I want to go there he said whatever I want. He just wants to be with me and doesnt care where it is.

    Hell have to look for a new job and take a pay cut but for a couple months will have to rent a commuter room in the bay since its a 4 hour drive each way.

    Im so excited. Ill probably still go up to Reno once a month - my daughters dads family (in Sac) will be upset that were moving but Im figuring they can have her a weekend a month while I go to Reno.

    I hope all works out - it always does in the end for me. Wish me luck!!!

  24. #24
    God/dess holiday's Avatar
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    Default Re: Finished School - Now What?

    Congrats! And best of luck. I think it sounds great and I'm sure will turn out perfect - especially since it sounds like you (and your family) have such great attitudes!
    I'm confused, but the Chewbacca Truffle Shuffle cleared it up. - Emily

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    Default Re: Finished School - Now What?

    Kick ass! Congrats!

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