Prep the Nails More Quickly. Begin each fill with three electric bits: one coarse, one four- week backfill, and one fine sanding band and use them in that order. By using coarser files, prep time is reduced, and the product will lay more evenly, allowing for a quicker application.

Use Your Transition Time Well. While your client is washing up after her service, prepare her appointment card, total up her retail products, get referral cards ready, and clean up for the next customer.

Let Pedicure Clients Soak While You Finish the Previous Client. Arrange your pedicure services to overlap the end of the previous service. By allowing a client’s feet to soak while you wrap up another client’s service, you can save 10-15 minutes for each pedicure performed.

Arrive Early Enough to Properly Prepare Your Station. Acetone, cotton balls, liquid, powder, top coats, etc., should all be full and within easy reach, so time is not lost during services while you fill up or search for what you need.

Encourage Clients to Book Standing Appointments. Standings appointments make scheduling easier and faster.

Book Appointments via Your Cell Phone. Allow client calls to go directly to voicemail and ask them to explain their needs and availability in detail. Call everyone back with complete information while on a break or at the end of the day.

Ask Clients to Arrive Five Minutes Early. To pick out colors, wash up, and settle in. They might also use this time to help themselves to a complimentary beverage.

Take Ongoing Technical Training to Help Improve Your Skills. The rule of thumb is that for every two years you are out of school, your artificial service times should decrease by 15 minutes per client, up until six years of rework. So if you leave school doing 90-minute full sets, within two years it should take 75 minutes. In another two years it should take 60 minutes, and in another two years it should take only 45 minutes.

Map Out Your Business Strategies Each Morning. Review your schedule to determine where to upsell and how to work in additional services with­out making a big impact on your work flow.

Track Your Numbers Each Day at the End of the Day. If you wait until the end of the week, it takes far too long, and it doesn’t allow you the opportunity to change the course of the week financially.

Heather Goodwin has been a top-producing nail technician and make-up artist since 1996. Goodwin is also a success coach with Durocher Enterprises.

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