I finally shared my baby...

I did a festival today and I finally shared my precious baby with another face painter. I've worked hard to build up a good name for my little business, but have been hanging on to it pretty tightly until I had to admit defeat and get someone in to help me. I found an amazing lady, wonderful with children and also has some talent to boot. We spent a little time in training, she learns really fast. She did a fantastic job for her first day and I really enjoyed watching someone else being creative.She was really gutsy and tried out heaps of things she had never done before,,some things worked and some things did'nt,,Customers were really alright with it..So I am very pleased. O.k I had to share some of the loot but I was able to wee when I wanted,, and have 5 minutes to grab something to eat..Wonderful.... So nice to be growing....and have someone to enjoy it with.
I have just spent an enormous amount of some new paint for her and a little practise kit for her to use at home. Still unsure of what is acceptable pay at festivals?? We sorted out something for today but I need to make a solid agreement..Any ideas..

Well done, I cant help in anyway, but I a happy that you have expanded you business!!

Hey freedspirit, sharing your baby! Glad you have found an amazing lady to help out So for me (have been painting about 5months now) I was trained for two hours by my (now) boss (cost me $125) and then self-taught for the rest of the time since then. At any festival that I paint @ I have to pay my boss a $30 fee which entitles me to paint @ that event (as she holds most contracts in our area) and then I get to charge PPF which is $5. Typically my boss will make much more than me because she is alot faster!!! but this way I feel I am getting what I am worth. In the early days we didn't really have an agreement so we just put all the money together what we made and she paid me what she thought I should get. I wasn't too happy with that though as it was like 80/20. In saying that I have had to buy my own kit whereas it sounds like you have purchased a kit for her to use (does she have t0 pay for this?)..if she doesn't then I think a hourly rate is acceptable as kits are expensive.... or even a set rate for the whole day.

Congratulations!

You sound like a proud mama

Oh, I am proud of you for making that step, and shaking in my boots about making it myself!
I have a feeling I'm going to be making that call soon to a local lady, who already has her own paints. I don't think she is working very much, nor very hard to get her business up and flourishing, so I don't feel bad about hiring her by the hour. In fact, I may do a percentage split, because I have no idea how many faces per hour she can paint. So far we haven't gotten together to jam, I've just seen some of her work.
But before I call on her to be my second, I'm going to try to train my kids. I have a 12 yo son who is very artistic. I have high hopes that he will be even better than me, in a really short time. My 13 yo daughter isn't as artsy, but she will be a whiz at glitter tattoos, I think.

Checked your website...YOUR work is outstanding, I'm green with envy. There are so many options that it is very difficult to answer.
#1. Are you wanting to hire an employee and deal with insurance and S.S. taxes? It varies from area to area.
We have 3 painters we use as subcontractors. This is a small area, they must sign a non-competitive agreement. Many pros oppose this even my best friend....but she lives in Hollywood, FL., a much larger market. I'm training these painters, providing kits, chairs, tables, basic costuming, my website, and a 30 year reputation with high % repeat clients....all in a very small community. I am not willing to give away all that has built my business this pays my mortgage. Major time is spent daily running this business, they practice, do the gig, take money home and don't worry about it again. My time is spent answering phones, working on the boards everyone uses, coming up with marketing and running the business...which is a joy to me. We have a great relationship and are friends, but it is business.
She may seem like a nice person, but you need a contract if you are doing business...when you provide all the materials how will you get it back if the relationship ends...are you going to make enough $$$ to take the loss?
Sharing a gig with a pro with each of you holding your own is completely different. Suggest you first decide if you want to book out others, only share ppf's, or run a business with employees...all have pros and cons.
New Zealander's may have better answers for you.
Personally in this small area it is a joy to have others to practice with and to laugh and grow with...HOWEVER it is major responsibility. They depend on me to provide gigs, noses can get out of joint when you have to "boss" or set standards, yet that is part of growing and I am finding it to be an awesome journey...I hope you do too.

(Just checked out your website, btw - it ROCKS! You are super talented - she's very lucky to be mentored by you )

Your website does rock! You have some serious skillz, lady! I'd be honored to work with you, any day.

Wow. I agree. Your stuff is fantastic. SO clean!!

If you purchased the paints for her, then you should pay her an hourly wage that gives you a cut. ESPECIALLY if you are training her. If she feels like she needs a better deal, then she needs to purchase all of her own paints.

When I bring in other painters that have their own setup, I generally just ask them to split the booth fee with me. It saves me money and allows me to have awesome friends and painters around me. Also, we learn from each other. I don't bring in other painters unless the event is busy enough to accomodate 2, so there is no financial loss to have another painter in. I know a lot of other painters like to "profit" from having other painters there (ie: take a cut), but I don't like it. I just don't feel right about it. If they have all of their own stuff and knowledge, then they should make what they make. Just my opinion. I know a lot of other "business people" would disagree.

Totally agree with others. Your site is awesome! Congrats on the expansion.