Question
You have learned about the various ways in which cosmetologists get paid and earn their living. Now, imagine that you have to give career advice to the individuals described below. Consider whether commission, renting a booth, salary, or self-employment would be the best for each of the following scenarios, as well as where the person could work. Consider expertise, client base, and any other factors that would shape the individual’s choice.
Mario is a makeup artist. He has about five years’ experience in the field. While he is very good at what he does, he has recently moved from New York, where he did a lot of makeup for television shows, to a midsized town in the Midwest, which is his partner’s hometown. Here, there is far less work in television, so he will need to switch his specialty. In New York, he was self-employed and had no problem finding work. Although he does not have a lot of clients here, his spouse is well positioned to help him get to know a lot of people in the area. Because the couple just moved, they have a lot of bills, so a steady income is important.
Janine had been working at the same spa for 15 years when the owner decided to retire and close the business. Janine had been one of the most popular estheticians there and has just gotten certified to perform a highly specialized skin treatment. For years, she managed the salon but returned to just providing cosmetology services because she wanted to spend more time with her clients. She prefers not to work weekends because she wants to spend that time with her family and has been considering reducing her hours to work part-time.
Clara got started on her cosmetology license after having two children. She knew that she would want to go back to work after her children started school and will be looking for a job starting in September. While she has been able to stay home with her children, that put her and her husband on a very tight budget, and her husband had to work a lot of overtime to make ends meet. She needs to be at her children’s school by 4:00 to pick them up. If she has to pay for after-school care, it substantially reduces her earnings. She did very well in cosmetology school and has good experience but is new to the industry.
Fill out the chart below, ranking how important each of the following is to the cosmetologist described. Use a scale of 1-3 where 1=very important, 2=somewhat important, and 3=not important. When you have completed the chart, write a brief paragraph for each person explaining whether you would recommend commission, booth rental, salary, or self-employment. Explain why you feel your choice is best for the individual described.
TABLE 1 Ranking business success
Mario Janine Clara
Needs to learn from others in the business
Needs to control own schedule
Needs to create a client base
Needs to have a regular income
Wants to charge more for skills and expertise
Has a background in business
Mario is a makeup artist. He has about five years’ experience in the field. While he is very good at what he does, he has recently moved from New York, where he did a lot of makeup for television shows, to a midsized town in the Midwest, which is his partner’s hometown. Here, there is far less work in television, so he will need to switch his specialty. In New York, he was self-employed and had no problem finding work. Although he does not have a lot of clients here, his spouse is well positioned to help him get to know a lot of people in the area. Because the couple just moved, they have a lot of bills, so a steady income is important.
Janine had been working at the same spa for 15 years when the owner decided to retire and close the business. Janine had been one of the most popular estheticians there and has just gotten certified to perform a highly specialized skin treatment. For years, she managed the salon but returned to just providing cosmetology services because she wanted to spend more time with her clients. She prefers not to work weekends because she wants to spend that time with her family and has been considering reducing her hours to work part-time.
Clara got started on her cosmetology license after having two children. She knew that she would want to go back to work after her children started school and will be looking for a job starting in September. While she has been able to stay home with her children, that put her and her husband on a very tight budget, and her husband had to work a lot of overtime to make ends meet. She needs to be at her children’s school by 4:00 to pick them up. If she has to pay for after-school care, it substantially reduces her earnings. She did very well in cosmetology school and has good experience but is new to the industry.
Fill out the chart below, ranking how important each of the following is to the cosmetologist described. Use a scale of 1-3 where 1=very important, 2=somewhat important, and 3=not important. When you have completed the chart, write a brief paragraph for each person explaining whether you would recommend commission, booth rental, salary, or self-employment. Explain why you feel your choice is best for the individual described.
TABLE 1 Ranking business success
Mario Janine Clara
Needs to learn from others in the business
Needs to control own schedule
Needs to create a client base
Needs to have a regular income
Wants to charge more for skills and expertise
Has a background in business
Answers
GPT-4o mini
Here’s the completed table and the career advice for each individual:
### TABLE 1: Ranking Business Success
| Factors | Mario | Janine | Clara |
|--------------------------------------------|-------|--------|-------|
| Needs to learn from others in the business | 3 | 1 | 1 |
| Needs to control own schedule | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Needs to create a client base | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| Needs to have a regular income | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| Wants to charge more for skills and expertise | 2 | 1 | 2 |
| Has a background in business | 1 | 3 | 3 |
### Career Recommendations
**Mario**
I would recommend that Mario pursue a position with a steady income, such as a salary at a salon or spa that offers makeup services. Given his five years of experience, he would benefit from guidance and mentorship from experienced professionals in a new market where he is unfamiliar with the clientele.
Moreover, transitioning from a role focused heavily on television to one that caters to everyday beauty can help him build a diverse client base while offering the financial stability he needs to manage his bills. As he establishes himself in a new environment, Mario could transition to a commission-based structure later, allowing him to leverage his skills when he has a more substantial local network.
**Janine**
For Janine, I would recommend booth rental as the best option. Given her extensive experience and popularity in her previous role, she likely has a solid client base that will follow her if she chooses to rent a booth. This arrangement should provide enough flexibility to work part-time and accommodate her family life, allowing her to have weekends off.
Janine can benefit from being her own boss while maintaining some control over her schedule. This option also suits her expertise since she has recently acquired specialized training that can help her set competitive rates for her services.
**Clara**
Clara would benefit most from a salary position at a family-friendly salon or spa that accommodates her need for a set schedule. Due to her newness in the industry and existing family obligations, having a regular income will provide her with the financial security she requires.
Working in a supportive environment allows her to learn from more experienced professionals, which is essential since she still needs to build her client base and expertise. A guaranteed salary will ensure she can pay her bills without the unpredictability associated with commission or self-employment. Once she gains more experience and confidence, she can explore other opportunities such as booth rental or commission.
### TABLE 1: Ranking Business Success
| Factors | Mario | Janine | Clara |
|--------------------------------------------|-------|--------|-------|
| Needs to learn from others in the business | 3 | 1 | 1 |
| Needs to control own schedule | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Needs to create a client base | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| Needs to have a regular income | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| Wants to charge more for skills and expertise | 2 | 1 | 2 |
| Has a background in business | 1 | 3 | 3 |
### Career Recommendations
**Mario**
I would recommend that Mario pursue a position with a steady income, such as a salary at a salon or spa that offers makeup services. Given his five years of experience, he would benefit from guidance and mentorship from experienced professionals in a new market where he is unfamiliar with the clientele.
Moreover, transitioning from a role focused heavily on television to one that caters to everyday beauty can help him build a diverse client base while offering the financial stability he needs to manage his bills. As he establishes himself in a new environment, Mario could transition to a commission-based structure later, allowing him to leverage his skills when he has a more substantial local network.
**Janine**
For Janine, I would recommend booth rental as the best option. Given her extensive experience and popularity in her previous role, she likely has a solid client base that will follow her if she chooses to rent a booth. This arrangement should provide enough flexibility to work part-time and accommodate her family life, allowing her to have weekends off.
Janine can benefit from being her own boss while maintaining some control over her schedule. This option also suits her expertise since she has recently acquired specialized training that can help her set competitive rates for her services.
**Clara**
Clara would benefit most from a salary position at a family-friendly salon or spa that accommodates her need for a set schedule. Due to her newness in the industry and existing family obligations, having a regular income will provide her with the financial security she requires.
Working in a supportive environment allows her to learn from more experienced professionals, which is essential since she still needs to build her client base and expertise. A guaranteed salary will ensure she can pay her bills without the unpredictability associated with commission or self-employment. Once she gains more experience and confidence, she can explore other opportunities such as booth rental or commission.