Hello Henna Lovers!
I have been doing henna for a bit over a year now and have fallen in love.
It's been mostly a hobby until now. Recently I had a request to partner up with someone for a festival. They will be paying me by the hour and will provide me with the designs they want me to do and the henna.
Since I've been doing this for free, I was wondering if anyone has an idea of a reasonable rate I should be charging her by the hour?
Any input would be greatly appreciated! :)
Personally, I would ask for at least the minimum wage in your area.
From my experience, I was never contracted by the hour. Rather, I was paid a percentage (around 40 usually) of whatever henna I did for the time period I was working.
are you just showing up to work ? she is covering all costs, set up, supplies, booth fee?
then the percentage of 40% sounds fair . The harder and faster you work, the more you will make. AND she stands to make back her booth fee and a little money extra as well.
Will you have a booth babe to help you both? if not then the percentage you take should be higher if you are not getting support to help you work faster to make more $
She was covering all the costs. I was just showing up to henna. And yes, there was a sales person there as well to help answer questions, handle transactions, apply lemon juice, etc. But thank you for your advice and concern!!!
She will be providing me with henna, a book of designs she wants me to do, and will be covering the costs of the booth.
I will just be showing up to work. We won't have anyone helping us.
When I'm hired for a festival setting and someone else is paying all the fees, they supply me with henna and designs and I get paid 50% plus tips. I hope you have lots of fun!!
I met with her yesterday and she said I will be getting $12 an hour. Really doesn't seem like much to me.
ouch. It's more than most hourly people make but I don't think that's fair for work that she will be making 5$-10$ per design. I guess it all depends on how many people go by per hour.
I agree-don't be slave labor. You can make $12 an hour as a waitress or other mundane job. Henna art is a specialty artist and should be paid accordingly. I'd also want to know what is in her henna that she wants you to use if you don't know already.
Well....I don't do a whole lot of festivals, I prefer bridals, private parties and corp events - but you say this is your first real pro gig and you've only been doing this a year. Be honest with yourself....are you a fast and good year? If this is more about 'getting your feet wet' and you are not that fast, $12 an hour may be reasonable...if it's slow, it may be a steal! Festivals are notoriously tricky.....a money loss or a windfall. Do you get to pass out your own cards and build a clientelle for yourself? That could make it well worth it right there for the exposure. If you are fast and good, then $12 per hour may be selling yourself short. But at least is it guarenteed money and great experience with nothing lost on your part. Do you have a 'perfect' mix that you KNOW will work or are you using hers? Providing your own mix could give you a barganing chip to ask for some extra coin for providing your own. Are you familiar with all of her designs and can whip them out? A small design (simple flower, leaf, one pasley and a twirl or two) that is nice and clean should take under about 1 minute. Most small designs should not be more than 3minutes or you are bordering on medium designs. Is taking this costing you money? Could you be working somewhere else for more? That may be a consideration as well if this is taking you away from a different earning source. After you have considered everything, you should be able to make a great decision! I hope you go for it and have a great time!! Good luck and happy hennaing!!
Kim - Hasina Mehndi & Body Art
Hmm...double posted...sorry. :-)
Kim - Hasina Mehndi & Body Art
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