Those of you contemplating a cut in prices in order to remain “competitive” should consider first how costly such a move may actually be to your bottom line. By dropping your prices, you just end up giving away the competitive edge you were striving to achieve.”

Does that sound like something I would say? Probably yes, but it’s a quote lifted from a publisher’s note in the January 1984 issue of NAILS (way before my time). Discount prices give salon owners as much pressure as they did 14 years ago. “

... the rumors about the dangers of sculptured nail products damage the industry ... and the solution is education, education, education.” Boy isn’t that the truth, just as it was in July 1989.

“...the average manicurist sticks with her career for less than five years.” The “life span” of the average nail technician has only increased a half-year since that 1988 statistic.

“As the professional, you have an opportunity to increase income and service the client better by selling retail products. You are the one the client trusts. Yet, nail technicians are reluctant to retail because they feel uncomfortable “selling” to their clients.” I could have written that today! NAILS editors have been lamenting the lack of retailing in nail salons since this 1983 quote.

“The lack of uniform standards in education and certification of nail professionals ... give the entire profession a bad name.” Well, that actually was me, in my first column in February 1991. At that time, there were six unlicensed states; today there are still fou.

And here’s something, published in the debut issue of NAILS in February 1983, that I hope will ALWAYS be true and will be quoted by my successors: “The purpose of NAILS is to strengthen the industry by providing decision-making information on current industry issues and events, economic trends, management styles, sales and marketing techniques.”

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