Thoughtful Thursday: Do you charge relatives?

 

Being that I have been teaching the Wedding Planning Certification of the past few years at Macomb Community College I look forward to new an exciting questions during each new semester...

The one question I get asked  a lot is about charging clients we all know that yes of course you charge clients a fair price for your services rendered but never once have I ever been asked "Do you charge your relatives? " As I was rolling my hair  this topic popped in my mind and I don't recall seeing it anywhere so I decided to answer that question with a few of my own personal experiences...

For the past ten years I had been going to the same hair stylist in January she passed away and during many of the hours we spent together we discussed business and making it better and earning more money she dreamed of one day owning  her own salon but one of her biggest complaint was that she was styling some of her family members hair every week and that they did not appreciate nor pay her it was something they felt she owed them because that was her profession  however she also complained about how she was not making enough money and that she had to raise prices..... Think about this for a moment she was doing at least 4  relative heads of hair every week and not charging them well with each of my hair appointments   I  paid any where for $65 to $100 to get my hair done..So today I did the math if she had charged them at least $65 per head per week she would have made $260 additional per week and $1040 per month and $12,480 per year so after 10 years of me hearing this complaint she would have made $124,800.....  I can't speak for any one else but I know that is a ton of money to just give away when you are in need of making money in an effort to make your dreams come true..

So I  know now your wondering  well Lisa do you charge relatives and my answer to that is a big huge gigantic YES!!! Everyone in my family clearly knows and understands this is a business and I have invested a lot of time and money into it  like any other business owner in business you pay for services rendered I made this clear from the very beginning and in saying that when working with your family its up to you to keep it professional .

1. I meet with them like I would any other client in my office.
2. I clearly explain the services I offer
3. I explain my pricing they understand
4. I explain clearly my business hours (They understand I have business hours call and meet with me during those times to discuss business no it is not ok to call me at midnight to discuss something regarding your event on my personal phone line because you are my family member and you've had a brilliant idea)
5. Sign a contract and stick to it
6. I work just as hard as I would with any other client for my relatives 
7. I explain to them when I'm working I have my work face on and I keep it professional so no busting a move or popping bottles at their reception, party or event for me or my staff.
8. Like with any other client I set guidelines and perimeters and believe it or not people like a bit of order and structure .
9. I listen and know that they are my relative I do not try to take over and think that just because I know them I know exactly what they want for their event I listen to them.
10. Finally last but not least treat them as you would any other client the same dedication,commitment and excitement you would give to a stranger give it to your family member that way they will respect what you do set boundaries and stick to it.

On a lighter  note there are a few family members after VERY careful consideration and not wanting to live in the garage I do not charge ( my husband, my daughters,my mom and grandma)

Thoughtful Thursday: Cutting Wedding Costs

One of the first questions clients asks me is "How can they cut cost and save money?" and my answer is pretty much always the same the first thing you want to keep in mind the more guests you have the more money your going to spend bottom-line and then I break it down for them most clients don't even think about the extra cost associated with each guest their main focus is the per person cost at the venue or with the caterer..
I had a client that told me she wanted to only have  150 people at her wedding however she was sending out 170 invitations I explained to her if you send out 170 invitations you are actually inviting at the least 340 people how is that she asked I told her unless you tell  them they can not bring a guest most people always bring a someone to the wedding so even though you only invite that one person they may RSVP for two.. Unless you tell them they can't bring a guest... She thought about it and she agreed that she would not send 170 and she didn't even think about it like that so if you want to cut cost first look at your guest list and decide is it really necessary to invite your entire department at work or stay within you budget and invite only your closest family and friends...

These are a few of the extra costs that I always find myself reminding them of:

• Stationery ( invitations, programs, menus, maps,tags,labels etc.)
• Favors and  items to assemble (boxes,bags,ribbon,etc.)
• Postage (Especially if their invite is over-sized or over-weight)
• Linens (the more people the more chair covers,overlays,sashes table runners,installation etc.)
• Flowers or center pieces ( the more people the more tables the more center pieces) 
• Gifts (Attendant & Parents)
• Tips (for vendors)

On average you spend at least $100 per adult guest
$100 x 200 guest = $20,000 the average cost spent on wedding in the United States

Thoughtful Thursday : Who inspires you?

Photo Credit: My Iphone I was heading to Vegas for MTH 2011

If you could spend time with the one person in this world who inspires you who would it be and what would you say? Would you tell them how you really feel?? I'm so excited because in a few months I will have the opportunity to sit face to face with the two women in the wedding industry that inspires me the most and I will have the opportunity to tell them how they have inspired me,how much I truly appreciate all of their advice, support and more importantly just to say thank you this is not something I want to do via a email, over the phone or any Social Media outlet just woman to woman and face to face just to say thank you and let them know how they have made an impact on my life and have inspired me to SOAR beyond the clouds! So if you could sit face to face with the person or person(s) that inspires you what would you say?