I've got to make this quick today because, believe it or not, I have to make a house call this morning. Yup, a house call. We make-up artists are amazing people, I tell ya. Anyway, I'm in a bit of a tizzy over the hiring of an employee. Dang, no one said it was going to be easy, but no one prepared me for this...
So I put the word out to some of my former colleagues and told them I needed someone part time. 2 days a week, minimum, which is 14 hours. I got a lead from one and I followed up. The girl is fantastic! She has years of experience as a make-up artist and she is a licenced esthetician. Which means that she is an expert in skin care, which means she can sell my highest priced item and one that will keep customers coming back. This is all good. Very good.
She calls me and we set up a time for her to come to the store. She comes and she is knowledgeable, adorable, and eager to join ranks. I'm liking her so far. I explain to her that I need two days a week, one during the week and one or two Saturday's a month, to which she replies, "Great." She's a mom, so Sat may work better for her, she says, but she can't do every Sat. I understand, believe me I do. If I can have two Saturday's off a month, I am golden. We talk compensation, to which she agrees. We part ways with the understanding that she will email me her schedule.
I get to work yesterday and I have three emails from her, one of which asks about cash incentives for meeting daily sales goals and about compensation for travel. Hmmm. I'm not opposed to this at all. As a matter of fact, I like her initiative. So I (me and My Guy) come up with a fair and attractive incentive package, which if she meets or exceeds her goals, will give her some nice cash at the end of each month. She likes it. I then ask for her schedule. She can't start until May and she can only commit to Tuesday's and one Sat in May. Huh?
So I send her a very nice email explaining that maybe I wasn't clear. Even though in every email thread I specifically state that the job is a 2x a week commitment, she might not have understood. I need her additional dates for May AND I was hoping I could get her in in April, as this is peak buying season. She emails back that that is all she can commit to right now.
What the F?? I'm seriously at a loss here, because am I an idiot or did she just completely re-neg on everything we agreed to?
I'm thinking this is not a good sign and my gut tells me to tell her no way. BUT-she's an ace with all these great references and credentials. I know she can sell my product and with her incentive package, even for two days, it's a win win for both of us. BUT, I need someone to commit to two days so she can build a clientele and make an impact immediately.
Any advice?
