Do you offer discounted or free lash services to your friends and family?
According to a few posts I've engaged with recently in the Facebook groups, some of you do, and some don't. Some lash artists admit to giving discounts because they feel obligated. Others give free lashes to their mom or sisters because their families help them in so many ways that they just want to give something back. Some feel bad charging friends because they think they're not supposed to. There are a lot of different policies on this subject, and everyone should definitely do what feels like the best decision for them.
Friends and family are a gift to be cherished, but if they don't own a business, they are likely not to realize that it costs you money to do their lashes. It's more than just your time (which is very precious), it's the cost of the supplies and products as well.
I had a mentor once tell me that they never give free services to friends and family. She explained to me that it costs time and money to provide a service. Our friends and family should want to support us, not take from us. Especially when we are starting out and struggling. This point of view made sense to me, so I adopted the same policy. I think I just needed someone to tell me it's okay to charge family!!
Let me just say that whatever you decide, it is the right decision because it's right for you! But if you don't want, or can't really afford, to do lashes for free for friends and family, it's okay to say no.
The people who love you will not be upset that you want them to be one of your customers. We tend to feel bad about charging friends when, in reality, they should kind of feel bad about asking us to work for free when this is how we make a living.
Disclaimer: This blog is intended for informational purposes and is not intended to replace formal business advice, financial advice, government regulations, or any other form of legal advice.