Wouldn’t you enjoy getting your makeup done in the comfort of your own home? Most of my clients like the ability to continue getting ready once they have received beauty services, instead of having to drive across town and get back home…. they can just continue getting ready for their special occasion (or in some cases, I assist them until they walk out the door).
So let’s talk about travel fees and hospitality fees. When you book a vendor, in most cases, they have to travel to you and get back home or to their office. Think of what all goes into operating a vehicle; gas, maintenance, oil changes, tune ups, insurance, tire rotation, car payments, etc.; all of these things have to be considered when one travels to clients. Travel fees mainly cover gas, however if we travel for a living, we have more than the normal wear and tear on our vehicle. So when you you see a travel fee on your invoice, and you’re only 15 mins away; remember if I didn’t have a car, I wouldn’t be able to get to you at all.
Hospitality Fees, for me are incurred when I need to stay overnight due to having to arrive early or due to leaving late. It is also is incurred when I’m traveling over a period of time; meals may be included in the hospitality fees. For some vendors, you may not see a travel/hospitality fee because you have received a blanket amount due. Personally, I don’t do that because the blanket wouldn’t be fair to me if you are further away or your cost will be too much if you’re closer to me. I have to put me first and be at my very best to provide you with services. If I have been up since 6am and I am leaving your reception at 8pm, I deserve a room, lol. Because of how I service my brides and are there with them from the morning til the time they’re shaking a tail feather at the reception, making sure they’re picture ready; I need to rest before I drive back home if I need to travel a ways to get to you.
If you have more questions, please comment below. My last show on WDRBMedia will be July 9th, so please be sure to follow my blog and my social media to know what’s next for me.
SunQueen Kelcey- Thick Thighs Save Lives. Follow her on Social Media Platforms (IG/Tw/FB): @sunqueenkelcey
NEXT SHOW – JUNE 29th AT 10AM EST– www.WDRBMedia.com– Music Spotlight
You can stream the show on iHeart, iTunes, Streema, TuneIn, etc.(links to the apps are under the Radio tab).
Interested in free advertising or being a guest on the show, click HERE to schedule a time to chat or feel free to email me at: info@NiSisEyes.com with the subject: Through the Eyes of NiSi radio show
Bridal Makeup… in most cases, its a beautiful experience. In other cases, it is stressful. In all cases; with all the planning, and all the spending, by the time the wedding day comes, everyone is just ready for the production to just be done and start living life as husband and wife or wife and wife. I’ve seen all sides!
A wedding takes a lot of planning and communication, it is indeed a production; one of the biggest days of your life. With all that goes into planning, tensions can be high and stress and anxiety may set in… but what happens when you’ve made all the deposits and/or paid in full and you have to ask, “What happens if I have to cancel the wedding?”
Breathe. I know (in most cases), it took a lot to come to this question. There are some Brides that are quick to shut things down; but make sure you have really thought it all through, EVERYTHING! This is a big decision; make sure you are happy with the decision (even if its a tough one or a no brainer)!
So here’s some tips to consider if you’re considering calling off the wedding when it comes to your vendors (or if you want to be sure to know these answers before you enter into legally binding agreements).
During the planning:
Ask what the policies are if you have to cancel? Remember, all weddings aren’t cancelled because of relationship issues. Many weddings had to be cancelled due to the pandemic, family emergencies arise, etc. Make sure you know what options you have before signing a contract. Can date be transferred? Are payments non-refundable? Also, ask what the policies are if the vendor needs to cancel?
Make sure that you are sure that you want to go through with the wedding. Life happens. Is this the person that you will be with, for the very best best, and the very absolute worst.
After you’ve signed contracts and paid deposits (or paid in full):
Most times your options are slim to none. Depending on how long you have been planning, most vendors have been holding your date for 6 months or more. For NiSi’s Eyes and many others, we are blocking people left and right because you are locked in.
So when it comes to NiSi’s Eyes and any other vendor, READ YOUR CONTRACT! In some cases, vendors will try to work with you (more so on the side of rescheduling and/or transferring services to another date). NiSi’s tries to work with you but there are no refunds. However, keep this in mind: we have held this date, we have booked additional staff, we may have paid for flights and/or hotel accommodations, bought products/tools specific to your wedding and whomever is involved, and the list goes on. Should you cancel your wedding festivities, the blow back hits us as well. As much as we love what we do in providing a service, we also have to consider how your cancellation will affect our business… because at the end of the day, IT IS A BUSINESS!
Considering booking NiSi’s Eyes for your wedding festivities? Here’s my semi-detailed process:
Complete bridal questionnaire
Review the proposal that you receive via email
Schedule your Girl Chat (video consultation)
Once we’ve talked and gone over next steps, you’ll receive an email to schedule your bridal beauty preview and submit payment for your appointment (usually within 1-6 months of the wedding date).
Once you’ve done your bridal beauty preview, you’ll receive a questionnaire so you feel comfortable providing feedback.
If you enjoyed your experience, let me know on the questionnaire and I’ll forward the contract to you. At that time, the signed contract and 50% of total balance is due along with your headcount for those receiving services. Once that happens, you are locked in on my calendar.
Communcaition continues throughout the process. Because I know things happen, a final headcount is due 60 days prior to the wedding. Each artist is designated a certain number of services. If an additional artist is necessary, you must meet the minimum, per artist. You are welcome to add services to your contract or if you don’t have the people, you can pay the difference to reach that minimum on your invoice. I reach out to your bridal squad 45 days prior to the wedding to discuss skincare concerns/ allergies.
Final payment is due 2 weeks prior to your wedding. NO EXCEPTIONS!
We show up for wedding day and help you feel comfortably flawless.
A week or so, after your wedding; we’ll email you for feedback. A month after you’ve been married, we’ll touch base to receive access to your comfortably flawless memories, your photos.
You can stream the show on iHeart, iTunes, Streema, TuneIn, etc.(links to the apps are under the Radio tab).
Interested in free advertising or being a guest on the show, click HERE to schedule a time to chat or feel free to email me at: info@NiSisEyes.com with the subject: Through the Eyes of NiSi radio show
You may know the The Singletons through me or social media, or even the show ”Ellen.” Well, they are continuing to be an example of black love and what it looks like ’for better or worse.’ Heres an update on their love story and their journey from their most recent appearance on ”Ellen.”
Want to see more of their love story? Click below to see (and listen to show replay) my Valentine’s Day blog below and be sure to follow them and support their journey (links on the Vday blog).
Let’s get into the after show of Through the Eyes of NiSi radio show. Today’s show is not all about Galentine’s Day, but about friendships (or lack thereof), self love and mental health. All of February was dedicated to black love, and in preparation for the Hallmark holiday, Valentine’s Day; I was putting all of my ideas down and realized some things. There are a lot of people who are not happy about Valentine’s Day. Just like the ‘big’ holidays, people are either dealing with trauma, loss, loneliness, etc. Fellas, don’t think this is all about the ladies. We know y’all go through a lot too. You wake up sometimes and hope that today is not the day you become a hashtag just for being you. I tell guys all the time, it’s okay to take off your superhero cape sometimes, its okay to cry, its okay to be vulnerable. You may feel like you haven’t found those people that you are comfortable enough to be transparent with, but just know you may need to get out of your head too and speak your truth. Find the people or a person that you feel comfortable with “letting them in.”
On a transparent note: I am a single woman, the past few Valentine’s Days I have been alone. I used a Ruth’s Chris gift card this year and came home to Netflix and chill. For some people, being alone can be painful. I spend a lot of time working on my businesses or watching tv, or talking to my sister and/or friends. However, there are times when I have no words at all and just don’t want to talk. These are the times that I pull out a my canvas and paintbrush, or I use my phone to type a poem in my Notes app. I sometimes take the time to write out all of my accomplishments (mostly at the end of the year), but this way I begin to reminisce about what I’ve done and how good it felt to reach those mountaintops that I may not have thought were possible. There are even times that I just press record on my Voice Memo and just say how I’m feeling. For me, it’s all about getting it out, getting it off my chest, getting it off my head. I am not a therapist or a specialist of any kind, however this is what works for me. Should you need more resources, they are some listed below. I am blessed to have friends that call me if they haven’t heard from me. I’m an introvert but all that I do makes me seem like an extrovert.
Let me give my flowers to those people in my adult life that have been my sounding board and have seen me cry the ugly cry and listened to me try to get some words out: Tina, Betty, Courtney, Amie, and Natasha. THANK YOU FOR BEING THERE FOR ME! Sometimes you don’t even know you need somebody but I’m glad I have y’all for the good, bad and the ugly. I have also been blessed with getting to know some other ladies. I began doing more bridal clients last year with my business partner, Courtney; through knowing her I have met some other amazing Makeup Artists and Hairstylists. We have a group chat that we share our wins, inspirational words, prayers, ideas, thought provoking sermons, laughs, love and encouragement. So, Latoya, Johanna, C’Andra, Toya (and Courtney) thank you for lifting me up, especially in the midst of my day when I get in my head.
Valentine’s Day as I’ve said before, is a Hallmark money making holiday. Love is an action word, it should be shown daily. It doesn’t have to be just relationships. Love languages make a huge impact on a relationship. Remember, love languages tell you how you, yourself feel loved. If my love language is quality time, buying me gifts may not mean as much because all I want you to do is be around. By not acknowledging someone’s love language, it’s just like feeling unheard.
Everyday we are learning how to cope in this ‘new normal.’ In the midst of it all, we all should just be kind to each other. Before COVID-19, there was pain and whenever, if ever, we get past it; we still need to show compassion. The way I behave and interact with people are based on lessons learned from past experiences. Some people have been dealing with their own demons for years and have had to sit still with them being in isolation due to COVID. Understand that we all have traveled down our own paths and have all experienced life- some trying times and some triumphs. Some of us have lots of friends and family and some have lost lots of family and friends due to disagreements, disconnects or death.
At the end of the day, we all have stuff. Some of us have learned how to cope, and some of us are still trying to figure it all out. You never know where someone is on their personal journey, so be mindful that everyone’s journey is not yours.
Be sure to leave your comments and any feedback in the comment section below.Please also share additional resources below.
If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), text “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 or go to suicidepreventionlifeline.org.
You can stream the show on iHeart, iTunes, Streema, TuneIn, etc.
Make sure you check in next week for our Month End Artist Spotlight, recording artist SY SMITH!
Interested in free advertising or being a guest on the show, click HERE to schedule a time to chat or feel free to email me at: info@NiSisEyes.com with the subject: Through the Eyes of NiSi radio show
Love means a lot to many people, some have never truly experienced it and some feels like they may have been in love with everyone that they’ve met. I’ve had the opportunity to see Mary and Howard Brown’s love for the last 39 years first hand. Today’s show is all about timeless love, the kind of love that can stand the test of time. Mom and Dad met at Lincoln High School in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Throughout the years, we’ve heard many stories of what it was like for them to date each other. Here’s a little glimpse of how it all began from Mom’s point of view (this was their surprise 50th Wedding Anniversary Party):
Over the years, Mom and Dad have been through many ups and downs (some I may not even know); but through it all we’ve had so many laughs. When you say the vows, “For better or worse, in sickness and health…;” that takes on a whole new meaning when you make the decision to stay together through anything. It’s one thing to watch Tyler Perry’s The Browns, but this family that I was born into is full of comedians, singers, artists, etc. We have a good time together and we truly cherish the time we spend together. Due to work changes, health changes, life in general; they’ve learned what works for them at the end of the day, they were a team in making it almost 54 years.
Valentine’s Day? After spending 50+ years with someone, is Valentine’s Day still the same? For my Mom and Dad, everyday they show each other love. They are each other’s helpmate. Where one is weak, the other is strong. Mom is never expecting a gift, but we can see the gifts around the house that Dad has given her over the years; whether they are for a special holiday or just because, it still makes her smile. It could be a teddy bear, figurines or a card; Mom treasures the little things (Side Note: Most women love for you to pay attention to the details). If one or the other notices they need something, it will either be a gift or they will discuss the need and make it happen.
Everyday is a gift! I am blessed that my parents have set an example along with their parents. They have gone through military life, cancer/chemo, surgeries, births, deaths, raising kids, an empty nest, gone through the storms and the rain (and snow), and continue to smile and laugh together. It’s rare that you see people be married more than 10 years, so to have experienced my parents celebrate their golden anniversary (and still going) is a blessing… this is a Timeless Love.
In this life together…
Be sure to leave your comments and any feedback in the comment section below.
You can stream the show on iHeart, iTunes, Streema, TuneIn, etc.
Make sure you check in next week when we discuss LOVE- Galentine’s Day and Mental Health!
Interested in free advertising or being a guest on the show, click HERE to schedule a time to chat or feel free to email me at: info@NiSisEyes.com with the subject: Through the Eyes of NiSi radio show
Always with a Brush,
NiSi
To educate, beautify and empower one canvas at a time.
