Let me preface this by stating if anyone objects to this thread, please by all means, Mods, delete it.
Any and all suggestions, advice and thoughts are greatly appreciated.
Some of you know, I own a Beauty Salon, have for the last 7 years, worked there for 3 of those prior to my divorce and being forced to get my own health insurance (my reason for corporate job today that I hate btw) ......with my health issues, it's sort of taken a back burner and it's been on the market for over a year now, as I'm not physically able to do such labor anymore. But I do have 3 hairdressers that have been with me from the start & feel I have an obligation to them.....so, here's the problem - Property taxes went up $366.75 for the year! I've always taken the estimated yearly tax divided it by 12 and deducted that from the bank account so it could be paid when it's due, I do this with insurance also. I knew taxes were going up, but didn't realize it'd be $400.00 and with paying doctors, hospitals and labs so much this year, I'm unable to come up with the extra cash! At this point it may as well be $4 MILLION! I make no profit and haven't for several years now, we take in just enough for employees weekly paycheck and overhead.
I've racked my brain for a few months now, cut my personal expenses as much as possible and have pretty much done without heat & other things in my home to try to make up that money. I could always borrow it from my John, but REALLY would rather not - so, I'm trying to think creatively. Something like running eBay auction for haircuts.....Like really, really cheap $2 a cut or something with the plea of helping me save my business and employees their jobs! (I've got someone who's willing to help me cut 200 heads of hair!!!).. OR something to that effect......You get the idea....Would you be willing to put your thinking cap on and help me come up with something, anything to make this money in a month!
Any feedback is greatly appreciated........as I said at the top, if anyone objects to this thread for any reason, please don't hesitate to request it's removal.
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Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass... It's about learning to dance in the rain.
I realize the pickle you're in. But I feel that your first obligation is to yourself at this point. You've done everything possible to keep things running for your employees, but what are you doing for yourself? If the gals want to keep working? I would ask them at this point to pitch in together to either cover all the taxes, or go three-way and buy you out. You have had enough on your plate this year past to overload anybody's stress level. I do understand the loyalty issue to your friends, but Jen, you need to put yourself at the top of the Loyalty List, imo. You can go ahead and raise the $ for the taxes, but that doesn't really resolve the main issue, and that is, you are going without so that others can go with. With that said, maybe a raffle for a year's worth of hair cuts for somebody, or a school season's worth for kids? So hard to ebay haircuts, with bidders spread hither and yon and not strictly in your area. Gosh, other than that, I'm drawing a great blank. Please, let us know how you get it settled, ok? Chris
Hi Jen! Sounds like a bit of a pickle. Some from my (kinda) experience. My first wife (of 22 yyrs) was a hairstylist. I don't know how these "girls" get paid, but Pat was always on commission..65-70% of what she brought in. 30-35% went to the owner to cover the shop expenses with the exception of tips--they were off the books. This allowed Pat to do her own advertising if she wanted to, in addition to what the shop already did. There were no insurance benefits..I covered that for the family through my work. So she and the other workers made cash on what business THEY brought in and no more (or less). The owner worked there also and made her money plus the percent of what 6 others made. It worked well for all. Pat now owns the business (bought it from the owner) and is the one who makes the 30+ percent on the other's and her own. She has also expanded to about 8 or nine chairs.
In essence, the stylists who work there "rent" the chair they work in and I know that this is a very common practice with MOST owners taking 40 to 50 percent of the gross from a stylist. SO, how does your shop operate Dear One?...Tim
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"We posess the eyes through which the universe gazes with wonder upon its own majesty."
That does sound like a bit of a pickle. That bit about going to schools and giving kids haircuts sounds like a great idea. When I started out in my massage therapy I rented a room in the back of a beauty salon. Maybe you could go to one of those massage schools and get one of the new grads to offer what we call a "corporate massage" with all proceeds going to a save the business fund, or something to that affect? I've offered my help in this way before. I charged $10 for a 15-20 min massage. Gave the money to the business and worked strictly on any tips I got. Plus, you could get a free massage!!
Not sure if it helps you any, but thought I should offer the suggestion. Good luck, hon!!
Spry
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My mind is a dangerous neighborhood. I dare not go there alone.
Could your beauty salon offer 'mobile' hair cuts for, say, ill or elderly people that couldn't get out of their home? We have a few traveling hairdressers where I live and I know that they can do pretty well. It might make a change for one of your 'girls' to be out and about if she has her own car.
Or a family discount might appeal to a few people with children.
You're in my thoughts and prayers. Make sure that you look after yourself during this, won't you? And, please let us know how things turn out for you.
Take care,
Carol
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Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind. ~Dr. Seuss
Thanks, all........I get what you're saying cuz this is definately screwing with my serenity! BUT, I'd sure hate to lose a $100k piece of property of over $400. Not to mention the fact that it would ruin my credit. Being chief cook and bottle washer with NO ONE to go to for help, means having good credit is a necessity ( i.e. what happens when I need another car, etc. - I've been there before). I know it will sell, eventually, it's in a growing area, but as we all know, real estate is in the crapper right now!
I think it's important not to lose this. I've always been one to walk away when things got too tough. I've walked out on houses, cars and husbands because THAT was the easier, softer way.
Tim, they're on commission. Because I can't be there these days, I have to trust they're being honest about what they bring in. The amount doesn't change much, it's the fact that overhead (the cost of living) has shot up so drastically in a short time. I can't keep up!
Reading your replies one thing kept coming to mind "can't change a pickle back into a cucumber"
The 'eBay' thing was just a generalization & you all had some grand ideas - thank you.
How blessed I am to have you all as friends........Jenny Poo (haven't been called that in years) Loves you, all.
I'm going to a meeting.
-- Edited by Doll at 09:29, 2007-12-29
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Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass... It's about learning to dance in the rain.
I'm with Wren, if you're not making much of a profit and keeping it open for the 3 girls jobs, then they should be willing to pitch in. Also most property taxes aren't overdue untill March of next year, you simply get a discount for paying early, take another look at the bill. If not, a call to the tax collector could possibly get you an extension or payment plan could be adjusted.
If you're about $400 short for the year, that's about $2 per business day, maybe it's time to raise the price of services a bit.
