As a mobile tech, how do I ensure I get paid?

Answer

When it comes to groups like spa parties and weddings, I learned the hard way early on that pre-planning is a must. I would get to an event and expect 10 people and only four or five would be there. That can’t happen if you are paying staff to go with you. What little bit you would have made on the party now has to pay the hired help.

So now when someone inquires, we let them know that our spa menu for groups is limited. We only have three services to choose from: a deluxe spa pedicure, a deluxe gel manicure, and an organic spray tan. If extreme nails or fancy bridal nails are required, that has to be booked privately — not at the event. That way you don’t have a single guest tying up a technician for as long as two hours. By keeping the menu short and sweet, it ensures each service can be done in 45 minutes or less. That’s how we’re able to judge the time it will take to perform all of the group’s services.

Next I go into our prices. I require a $50 deposit to hold the date and an approximate number of services so I can get an idea of how many technicians I need to staff the event. Two weeks before the event I collect the final balance due for the number of people they have booked. If it’s a situation where each person needs to pay individually, they have to pay their hostess and then the hostess pays me. That way, I am not taking any payment on the day of the event. It also prevents those potential no-shows from backing out. I’m paid regardless of who is or isn’t there. 

We give no refunds on deposits or no-shows. This is the only way I can ensure proper staffing and that we are paid for our services. We require an 18% gratuity as well for groups of more than four.

— Tracy Vinson, Forest, Va. @mobilemanicurist, (www.themobilemanicurist.com)

Editor’s note: Check out the Facebook page Confessions of a Nail Tech for more great nail tech questions like this one.