This is very different than BOOTH RENT. You are not booth renting if you are an independent contractor. See my other blogs and/or book for more specifics about booth rent.
So what does "independent contractor" mean exactly? It is dependent upon where you work, but in most cases, it simply means you are not an employee and you do not get any type of benefits. You have to draw up some type of contract with the owner to establish how you are going to work harmoniously together.
Tips for Success
(1) Ask for a contract.
(2) Make sure contract outlines who is responsible for what expenses--skin care products, linens, towel cabbies, advertising, and prices of treatments (very important!).
(3) Discuss coupons and deep discounts--a lot of businesses are on a coupon craze and that affects your bottom line. Chapter 8 of my book JumpStart Your Esthetics Career: A Guide For Newly Licensed Estheticians discusses this in more detail--things to watch out for and how to protect yourself.
(4) Talk product line--make sure you are comfortable buying your own back bar and/or using the products they provide. Some spas will want you to pay for all the skin care products and tools upfront while others will already have an established line that they want you to learn and use. It is important to verify that they have enough of each product as well, some non industry owners don't buy exactly what you need so double check, or request that you bring your own backbar.
(5) Remember, no matter how new you are in esthetics, as an independent contractor, it is your business and you should run it as such. You are not an EMPLOYEE you are business owner working within the terms of the spa and agreement you made.
Hi, Nice article. I wanted to ask for some advice. I am new as an Esthetician in the field and I was given an opportunity as an Independent Contractor. I was told that since I am new I will be paid 20 dollars per treatment and not in commision or percentage. They would supply products and supplies and I would get product training for the products they use. This feels more like an employee to me. I also wanted to bring in my own unique line and niche services but because other estheticians can't offer this specialty, the owner wanted to me keep it in such a way that anyone can offer this service. So I can't really do it the way I wanted to. Am I being taken advantage of?
ReplyDeleteHello Ritu,
DeleteI don't know your location, but $20.00 per treatment is not horrible and not great either depending on how much each service costs. As a new esthetician, it is not bad money unless you have to stay an entire shift and have to wait for services. If you only come in when there are actual clients then you are an independent contractor not an employee. Anytime you are required to stay for a certain length of time then you are an employee and should be paid at least a nominal fee per hour.