After leaving, I learned how poorly I had been treated. It was like being in an abusive romantic relationship. Even though I was charging relatively high prices and had a steady, loyal clientele, I received poor pay. I considered I was paying my dues and hard work would pay off. However, after one of my parents had a heart attack, Nick Arrojo himself doubted me and chalked it up to me not wanting to work.
I don't believe in talking badly about the people who mentored me into the industry, but after talking to stylists all over the world, I realize I was being taken advantage of. Most salons work off of comission once you're done assisting. At my current salon I make 50% commission for my service. At Arrojo Studio, 12% is taken off the top for running the place. Stylists just getting on the floor make 40% commission. But it's really 40% of 88%. Even if I'm charging 400$ for an American Wave, I see about 130$ out of the 400$ I brought in. Never once in my career there did I receive a check over 1300$. And I worked an extra day every week and was consistently busy with a very loyal clientele.
Arrojo Studio began "fast tracking" the assistants to push them through their training program. These assistants would be in class from 9-3, then go to work. I couldn't count the number of times someone getting paid hourly did not receive their LEGALLY DUE 30 minute lunch, including myself.
Also after leaving, another one of my coworkers who left said that management would ask him to shave assistants hours down to avoid paying overtime. These are the assistants who live off of minimum wage and are required to take classes 4 days a week- so that means days working 9-8. Doesn't add up.
Although the beauty industry is regarded as caddy industry, the team at Arrojo means well, but doesn't deliver. The studio manager Nuala Gildea is an incredibly strong woman who is responsible for Arrojo Studios success. Still though, behind her honest desire to see her employees and company succeed, there's Nick Arrojo. Although his words may be kind at times, it's only for his gain in business.
I don't want to make this too personal, but you can't be my boss, grab my stomach fat like I'm a baby when you see me, hit on other women when your wife (and top grossing employee) isn't around, talk smack on your managers who bend over backwards for you and still have my respect (I'm really holding back here). I started with 8 others who all quit within the first 3 years. I thought they just didn't have the same work ethic as I did, or maybe they were being to harsh on nick, you don't make money being nice, right? Well, apparently you do. Because I'm working less, charging the same, and making twice as much.