Opinions on this personal training job?

Question by Joshua: Opinions on this personal training job?
I recently began working with a very respectable personal trainer who is expanding his company. I am the first person he will be hiring full time and the company does show signs of expanding. I am currently trying to expand my territory by doing sales at businesses of all types. There is no doubt this guy is legit as a trainer… He even has a small line of apparel for the company. The cool thing about this company is it’s mobile… We go to homes and businesses and train individuals and groups with our large variety of equipment, wherever and whenever convenient for them.

But my question is this: I have been working for him, basically learning the company (how he trains, does sales, scheduling and signing clients up, etc), for a little over 2 weeks now and have not been paid anything. He has provided the flyers, training, and equipment, but shouldn’t I be making some income by now? I mean I’m using my gas, putting miles on my car, and spending many hours busting my ass to succeed in this company. I know independent trainer jobs require you to get your own clients, and that is how you make your income, but I am this guys employee… I’m out expanding HIS company. In a gym setting, you don’t drive all over the place, you get your clients right there and you get paid by them and keep around 80% of what you charge. I’ll only be making about 30% of what we charge clients and he gets the rest. So I guess what I’m asking is 1: Shouldn’t I be compensated for my work that I’m doing now?, and 2: is 30% fair commission? Thanks in advance!

Best answer:

Answer by marys.momma
You are being exploited at the moment. If you are willing to have him fire you, or to quit over this issue, you can make a request to be paid a salary from now on, because you are actually doing productive work.

Chances are, he’ll see that you’re valuable. If you actually sign up clients and do personal training, try to land a deal where you get a small base salary, plus a commission. (I’m not qualified to say what a fair commission would be. It’s negotiable, though.)

Add your own answer in the comments!