Which to choose!

Let me just say, that i have done face painting at parties and rennaisance festivals before but not professionally and I would like to stay away from the marketing part until I get a bit more experienced with what it all entails. People are looking for a face painter and I have a choice between these two people for right now:

A lady would like to set up a small business face painting and would like me to work for her. She would pay for everything and do all the advertising and marketing. All I would have to do is paint. I would get 25% commission. It would be mostly birthdays, fairs, and flea markets. Do you think it would be worth it?

Another owns a catering business and would like a face painter as an additional add on to their services. It would be mostly corporate events and festivals. I can set my own rate and get all the profits I make. I would not pay him anything. I get gigs and he gets to advertise that he as a face painter.

Please vote for which one you think would be a better idea and why.
Thanks!

Without knowing more about the details from the first one (which I don't think 25% sounds worth it to me)... based on $100/hr I guess getting paid $25/hr isn't so bad for something on the side without a personal investment but I think you could do better (you're going to have to look at travel, setup, tear down and clean up... ie: 1hr paid could be 3 hours of work).  You also have to practice and prepare for the event as well.

I'd definitely go for the second though.  If you have or are planning to start up on your own, being able to have someone else market for you is GREAT!!! Not to mention corporate parties and festivals typically mean longer hours (ie: not a 1hr gig) making it much more worth the booking.

If you are pulling in $100 per hour in sales, you get $25 and the organizer gets $75? You are paying for your kit and the cost to replace paint, brushes, sponges, glitter, and to upgrade will cost more than $25 if you include minimum wage.

Are they paying you an hourly rate and supplying you with paint at the second gig, or are you paying to work there with your paint.

Neither sounds like a very good business proposal. I would jam with your fellow face painters and network with them. You can increase your skills by practicing on your arms and legs. Try a month of FABATV. Join the "Show and Tell" thread here and post your work. Everyone is really kind, and they will not pick on your work. If you want to be critiqued, you must ask for it.

Happy Painting!

The first one they pay for the paint and everything. The second, I pay for my own paint and equipment.

The second one just does the marketing and sets up gigs for me. I set my own rate and I do not pay them anything.

I think I will probably go with the second one. Thanks!

if you are just starting out, either one sounds like a good way to get your feet wet, to find out if you will get enough business, and if you like it enough to start your own business.

however, with the first option, i would want to see the financial breakdown - what are her costs for supplies and marketing vs what she plans to charge clients. if she would make a whopping profit, i would want a contract specifying everything, and a larger percentage for you.

and make sure they carry liability insurance that will cover you.

When I first started face painting, I worked for a children's entertainment company where the owner paid for everything, including the paint and some training, and I received an hourly wage plus mileage. For me, this worked well. I didn't have to invest in paints right away and could see what I liked. She did all of the leg work, lined up all of my gigs, and did all of the marketing. I worked for her 2 or 3 years and then we parted ways under pleasant circumstances. For me, it was a good way to start.