YES. There are there supports for beauty industry workers with disabilities! Disability Related Employment Supports a.k.a. ‘DRES’ is a provincial employment support that funds supports or services for Albertans to help them find and maintain employment.
If the eligibility criteria for all parties are met, you may find supports in:
education/training,
job search and
the workplace
Examples of eligible assistive services:
job coach
note taker
academic aide
tutor
Examples of eligible assistive technology:
Set-up, installation and training on use of specialized equipment and/or software
ramps
wheelchair lifts
widening doorways
making a washroom accessible
raising lowering or adapting a work station
adapting equipment for the specific use of a person with a disability
power door openers
Talk to a Career and Employment Consultant to see if you meet eligibility for DRES.
Now that you know about DRES, that “DRES” is quite lovely, don’t you agree?
ESG is a Beauty Industry Resource Centre offering free business, career, and employment services to Albertans. Contact us to meet with our Career and Employment Consultant who can help you develop a career path that is right for you.
To help you choose the right training path, ask yourself the following questions:
WHERE DO I SEE MYSELF IN 5 YEARS?
If your goal is ENTREPRENEURSHIP, you have absolute freedom of your learning path.
DO I HAVE HEALTH CONCERNS THAT MIGHT AFFECT ME?
Many personal care services require a certain amount of physical strength.
HOW MUCH CAN I SPEND ON IT?
This includes money and time. Will you need to work while you train?
IS THIS COURSE INDUSTRY-RECOGNIZED?
Certificate is different than certification. Certificates do not require you to pass an exam.
WHAT IS REALLY IMPORTANT TO ME?
Things to consider are price, reputation, financing, location, student success rates, etc.
WHAT IS MY LEARNING STYLE?
Do I learn by seeing, listening, or doing? Is on the job-training a possibility?
About 70% of our students have long term goals of self-employment.
We offer the following advice to our
students: Choose your start-up location in a neighbourhood where you see
yourself in the long run. Clients will
follow if you move nearby 😉
In this article, we review different rental options
for budding beauty industry entrepreneurs.
RENTING SPACE IN A SPA or SALON
Renting a room (or chair) in a spa or salon is a good
way to get your toes wet in the world of commerce. This option allows a certain
amount of independence, it’s like renting a room in a house where a family lives. For example,
you may be able to set your own hours, but will be limited to their hours of
operation.
A benefit of this arrangement is cross-promotion. Renting space from an existing beauty business
could give you access to a pool of existing clients. People who rent space in a
spa/salon usually do so with the hopes that their business will also be visited
by that spa/salon’s regular clients. Cross promotion is mutually convenient ONLY
when you rent from an establishment that offers different services than you.
Be prepared for conflict if you offer the same services as your landlord!
What can I expect my rental fee to be?
Your rental fee will depend on multiple factors. The location of the establishment and the size
of the room you will be renting are primary factors. The best way to conduct
your research is to inquire about other places renting nearby (even if you are
not interested in those locations).
Also ask what is included in the fee. Things to consider are:
How will your clients pay? Will you be getting your own pos or will you be using theirs?
Will their receptionist be greeting your clients?
Will you be using their washer/dryer?
Who will clean the common areas?
RENTING SPACE IN A COMMUNITY
Renting space in a community such as My Lofts or Citizen Salon Studios is a new concept worth exploring! This option is good for service providers with a small-medium client base. It allows for more independence and is an excellent choice for service providers whose goal is to earn a comfortable income.
Renting space in a community is like living in a furnished
condo with utilities and amenities included. Rent is understandably higher as
it can include equipment, furniture, and services such as online booking and
marketing. It also includes maintenance of common areas.
Another pro of renting space in a community is the
love and support from your neighbours. You all have something in common- an
entrepreneurial spirit and your love for the beauty industry!
On the other side of that coin, your neighbours
are also your competitors. There’s nothing wrong with a little competition! We advise
our students to see competition in a positive light- it keeps us on our toes
and reminds us daily to treat our clients like important guests J
RENTING SPACE ALONE
Renting a store front space is a goal for service
providers who want to run an entire operation. This option requires a larger
financial investment and an existing client base.
This option is like renting an entire house for
yourself and your family (staff). It is maximum commitment for maximum
independence. You are responsible for every aspect of your business.
We do not recommend renting an entire spa/salon in
hopes to rent out rooms/chairs while you build your clientele. Do not overextend yourself! What if you aren’t
able to rent ‘that chair’ or ‘that room’ in time?
Making sound financial decisions during the start-up phase is what will take your business into year 2. Try not to rely on credit and keep your overhead as low as possible for as long as possible.
Are you interested in self employment? ESG offers short training courses to help you reach your goals one step at a time.
With ESG, you can custom-design your beauty career by taking the courses you are interested in. If you are joining the beauty industry, we recommend starting off with esthetics basics like Manicures and Pedicures or Waxing and Tinting.
