Ever work in a Salon...

[nas88car 300 nice race #9]

Wow! I just started doing massage out of a salon. Neat and wow! Neat because I think it's a great opportunity, and WOW because I've never seen such blatant politics in my life... Interesting. I am simply glad I am an MT and not a stylist... Have any of you ever worked out of a salon, and how did you survive the politics? Thankfully, I am able to hold my purpose there close to my heart and function as such. I am sure it could be tricky at times in the future though.

embracetime

 

[ecky x]

That is one of the main reasons that I choose to not work for anyone else again in my life as a massage therapist.

 

[jerry]

i couldn't put up with it either and that's why i left and decided to open my own place. seriously, the politics are ridiculous. how do you put up with it? work hard to keep a full schedule and don't take part in the drama & gossip.

 

[-Mitch]

They should pass out ear plugs at the door at salons.

 

[superstup]

Hi Embracetime,

I also do massage inside a salon. I rent my space and try to stay in that space as much as possible. Sometimes there are moments of cattiness (between the hairstylists), but most of the time it's very enjoyable to work inside the salon. I enjoy being around people vs. working alone in a building. For the most part the hairstylists are easy going.

The space I rent is close to the pedispas. I get the roar of the water and most generally lots of loud laughter. I use a white noise maker to mask most of the sounds outside my door. I think it bothers me more than my clients. I need to send a survey out to my clients to see if it is a nuisance

I have found that it's a positive experience, we ( MT and Hairstylists) work together to build a clientel. The hairstylists most often than not will talk about massage therapy with their clients and I do get a lot of referrals from them.

The best thing for me is to stay neutral and give them kindness. It seems to have paid off. If only we could get rid of the smell of perm solutions, ick... I would be a happy camper. :


-Grapeseed

 

[stienbabe]

I worked in two, both for about 2 years each. Both because I had to and not because I wanted to.

If the salon is laid out right, most times I found I could go read in my room until a client arrived or go outside in the parking garage and "hang out" to escape.

I didn't like the politics either. Too much daily drama for me.

But, you can get a LOT of other things (personal) done, if they'll leave you be.

 

[That Blonde B*tch]

Can someone fill me in on what the problems of working in a salon are, besides the smell? Most beauticians I know who work in a salon seem to be friendly, fun people. I would like to be forewarned if an opportunity presented itself to me.

I currently rent two different rooms (by the hour). One is at a massage-only center. There are four rooms and six therapists. Other than the owner, I do more massages there than any of the other therapists, who are doing only about 1-2 per week. So I haven't had many, if any, conflicts there. The other space is in a chiropractic office. Four of us who share the one room there. Even though it's less expensive ($5 per hour vs. $10 per hour at the other office), little by little I've been moving most of my clients to the massage center because of the politics, and the fact that it's rather noisy if it's during the chiropractor's busy time. More than once, I arrived to set up the room in preparation for an appointment that I'd had scheduled in the appointment book for a week, and surprise, the room was already occupied by a therapist giving a massage! They hadn't checked to see if there was an appointment scheduled. They had a last minute appointment, or a walk-in, and just took the room which was open at the moment. Put me in a dilemma! Or I arrived to find a therapist had set up the room (their sheets on the table) in preparation for an appointment they had which was later than my appointment. Or I hear through the grapevine that the administration is changing (or going to change) policies which would affect all therapists immediately. No forewarning.

I'm realizing that as my clientele grows, I may need to find myself my own space so that there aren't any conflicts or politics. However, I like the idea now that I don't have to worry about paying utilities, property tax, have maintenance concerns, etc. It is nice to just pay for office/massage space.

 

[sweetpeach]

I actually got my job at a salon/spa before I had graduated this summer but didn't start till about 4 weeks ago. I think its hard to generalize that all are the same. I made sure they didn't offer perms for example as I can't stand the smell. Also they only do natural nails, so no smell there. As for the stylist's the owner had me meet them and did sort of a group interview to see how our personalities mesh before the final hiring. I feel really grateful that I am in a situation where everyone gets along and it brought up front and central that snotty, gossipy types are not welcome. The owner is very tuned in to having a good vibe about the place. I hope it will stay that way. Now if it would only get busy enough that I could make it off working at one location I would have it made. Nerver perfect huh? But if you are already in a situation that has some issues I guess the best you can do is to make your space your own and stay out the mix. Best of luck with it all and congraulations on what may well be an excellent opportunity for you.

 

[Theresa]

I am excited about working in a salon and amongst people. It appears to be a great opportunity, and I am happy about this. I have established a little insight to the politics amongsts the stylists, and I know I will work very hard to remain separate and apart from this... Not the energy I want to be involved with or work holding internally. Thanks for the words of advice and experience. Much appreciated!

 

[huang]

I have worked in a salon before, and if you search on my name you'll find lots of threads where I make references to my experiences there.
It did tend to be loud at times, and there were scores of other things that they would do which made it difficult to be there.
I would recommend that you do go back to your treatment room to "hang out" between clients. It is the only way I made it through 4.5 years of working at the last place! :roll:

 

[HALOW]

It depends... My situation is that I am an employee on call. I have "my room" but it is used for anything else when I am not there. They do hair, nails, facials, body treatments and waxing. We all were fine until they put the hair in, took out one of the MT rooms and our break area. So we are now tripping over eachother. I was forced out of my larger room which was used for the couples massage (which can't be done now) and have the other facial supplies in my room (just in case). I come in, my table isn't set up the way I left it, my supplies are all over the place, not where I left it, have been blamed for leaving the table warmer on... you name it.

My other issue is politics and that I am not in control of my schedule. The manager who I don't kiss her behind is. I am the senior therapist which means, I should be booked up first, as per my contract. She will book the 2 other therapists over me, or talk their services up and not even mention me when she is on the phone with them. She shouldn't even be mentioning them until I have a full schedule. She will state that I am not fully booked up today because I am taking off some time on Friday??? Hello!!! We are talking about today here!!! Then she will say oh, they requested him or her... yeah right, that is why they don't have a clue that I exist or have even heard of him before. Oh and to top it off they are hiring a 4th therapist!!! When I can't get enough clients on my table... because she doesn't put them there!

Then there is marketing... where are they advertizing... taking out a $2000 ad and not even mentioning the salon is a problem...

Then the noise, the smell, working through the construction to get it completed. Hair EVERYWHERE!!! And they think that brining in the hair will bring in more money... they haven't had any paying clients yet outside of the staff... although I did get a nice haircut for my daughter and myself. So I do chat them up a bit, to do my part... but who knows if they do the same for me...

ok, enough venting....

So unless you have your own space, are renting (and not by the hour), have a key on the door, make your own appointments and set your own schedule... it isn't worth it.

 

[sweetsupplies85]

one more tip ~ bring them food. they'll love you forever.

 

[peter 1]

Pandoras_Gift said, "So unless you have your own space, are renting (and not by the hour), have a key on the door, make your own appointments and set your own schedule... it isn't worth it." And massageplanet.net said, "one more tip ~ bring them food. they'll love you forever."

I do all of these things...So, I should be okay.

 

[tjjwhole]

one more tip ~ bring them food. they'll love you forever.

Yes, this tactic does work!

-Grapeseed

 

[Spicy Chicken Sandwich]

Salon politics...no surprise

The way most salons are structured, the politics, in-fighting and pettiness are inherent.

A collection of booth renters/ICs is - by definition - not a team. They are individuals trying to maximize their situation -- a situtation built around minimizing their risk / downside (sharing the rent and other major costs)

There can be no leader, no mission and no source of inspiration in such an arrangement. and the majority of salons are run this way. No organization achieves positive results by focusing on minimizing risk / costs.

 

[Scarlett]

The way most salons are structured, the politics, in-fighting and pettiness are inherent.

A collection of booth renters/ICs is - by definition - not a team. They are individuals trying to maximize their situation -- a situtation built around minimizing their risk / downside (sharing the rent and other major costs)

There can be no leader, no mission and no source of inspiration in such an arrangement. and the majority of salons are run this way. No organization achieves positive results by focusing on minimizing risk / costs.

Relaxandrejuvenate, what would you recommend as the best scenario for a therapist to work under until he/she has a large enough clientele to have their own place? Where do you work and what is your work situation?

 

[Shafagh H]

The only IC's in the salon I work in are the Massage Therapists. The Salon hairstylists, nailtechs, etc, all work under the owner of the salon and their salary is commission based. I have been renting space at the salon for 6 months. So far it has been a great experience. I would recommend this scenerio for sure. It's been a good set-up.


-Grapeseed

 

[CALL ME!!]

Relaxandrejuvenate, what would you recommend as the best scenario for a therapist to work under until he/she has a large enough clientele to have their own place? Where do you work and what is your work situation?

We are employers.

There is no best, all depends on each therapists needs.

What we need are therapists who want to be employees and build a long term career with our company.

My point is to understand what you are getting yourself into so you don't end up being surprised and have a short stay

 

[Stupendous315]

Feel lucky that all you do is massage. When I was working at the spa's I also did nails and boy could those other nail tech's and estitichans complain. I just ignored them. But everyone was my best friend when they wanted bodywork or nails.

 

[bennachie1]

I just wanted you to know that I have been an instuctor for massage for a year now in a cosmotology school. we (massage) have a small dept. but we keep to ourselves and function properly. I have also worked in 2 salons (2 ys each) and am currently still employeed at one of them. I, too, have had the politic issue. Many, many, many stories to tell, however, I have had a ton of jobs of all kinds and these are issues you will have at any job. You must either work with people or they will work against you. Simple things like meetings, in-office email, Ethics and Policy lists are just a few ways to help eliminate a lot of in office hub bub. Keep your head up, your mind open, and your hands strong and you'll be just fine. besides, it is kind of nice to exchange services for pretty toes and expensive hair, and nice skin!