Did You Achieve Your 2008 New Year's Resolution?

Resolution

Achieved?

Details

'09 Resolution

• to start a “Nail Art Club” to encourage techs to get together and inspire each other

• to visit salons and invite them to be a part of the new club

Partially

“I have 10 new members now, which is a slow start, but I plan to keep at it. I visited some salons in the past year, but not as many as I wished. I had to make a few changes along the way, like adding an annual meet-and-greet in February.”

• to expand my knowledge beyond nails, skin care, hair, and make-up

• to add coaching on image, personal development, and professional etiquette to Outerimages’ offerings

Resolution

Achieved?

Details

'09 Resolution

• to execute a working business model so we can create a nail salon, boutique, and school, all in one location

Partially

“We are now purchasing our own property and will move our salon within a few months. We tried during the first part of the year to sublet our present location but were unsuccessful.

We’ll now have the space to grow our business in each individual area. We have also trained our directors of education in order to facilitate in the educational part of our business.”

• to improve our customer relationships

• to develop associations with new  distributors and schools

Resolution

Achieved?

Details

'09 Resolution

• to become a CEU provider for my state board

• to add two new treatment rooms to the spa

• to launch a new ad campaign on cable

Partially

“I have the CEU application written, plus a list of people interested in taking the class. I need to tweak it and submit it to the state board. The ad campaign isn’t on cable, but a video ad is up on our website. We did add more spa rooms; the remodeling took up a lot of our time.”

• to streamline the spa’s spending

• to launch a roll-back section on the service menu for clients who have been hit hard economically

Resolution

Achieved?

Details

'09 Resolution

• to make more time for volunteer work

• to learn new techniques for pedicures and manicures, like hot stone massage
  

• to keep better records of my clients’ birthdays so I can send them e-birthday cards

• to create new nail art displays

Yes

“My greatest reward was volunteering for the Dell Children’s Hospital. The hospital put on a prom for the children undergoing chemotherapy treatment. I put together a team of nail techs, hairstylists, and make-up artists to help the kids get ready.

Regarding new service techniques, I’ve incorporated hot stone manicures and pedicures into my list of services. I charge $85 for a hot stone pedicure, which has improved my totals. Lastly, I did keep better records of clients’ birthdays (I plugged them into an e-card account) and I had a great time with the nail art displays, which everyone looks forward to.”

• to make more time for volunteer work

• to update my resume and send it to NAILS Magazine in hopes they have a place for me on their team

• to teach more continuing education classes

Resolution

Achieved?

Details

'09 Resolution

• to increase revenue by growing each of the 14 nail techs by setting goals in three areas: number of requested clients,
  number of total services completed, and retail to sales percentage

• to offer coaching sessions to improve nail techs’ weak areas and have ongoing training

• to grow the department by 15% and hold contests three to four times a year to boost the excitement for growth 

Partially

“We work on a level system and three nail techs have jumped levels, which means they have increased their total number of guests, total number of services, total service dollars, and total retail. Overall, our revenue numbers have stayed the same as last year, which I consider to be an accomplishment when you consider we had several staff changes. We achieved the coaching goal. We meet every six weeks to discuss individual goals and how to better achieve them. We have also had three classes this year to boost skills both technically and with overall customer service skills. Though we did not see a 15% increase I feel that overall we had a successful year and saw our techs grow financially and professionally.”
 

• to see at least a 5% growth as a department

• to add two more techs

• to offer continuing education two times a year

• to kick off the year with a prebook contest

Resolution

Achieved?

Details

'09 Resolution

• to attend some educational seminars for both my product and clientele

• to expand my service offerings

• to volunteer my services to those who are less fortunate

Partially

“Since last year I have entered a weight loss program at a rehabilitation center. I’ve been here almost a year and have lost over 100 pounds. While being here I volunteer my time and services to the residents that are in physical and occupational therapy. Most get manicures or just fi led and polished nails. While I am here I’m trying to focus on myself and my health so when I reach my goal I can attend classes and freshen up my services for when I get back to Darren’s Hair Salon."

• the same as my 2008 resolutions — it will take some time to work on myself, my education, and the
  people who need my services

Resolution

Achieved?

Details

'09 Resolution

• to reach as many nail professionals in the Midwest as I can — to give them education, support, and confidence to help them improve and advance their careers

Partially

“This goal isn’t necessarily unattainable, but unending. There’s always a need for education to keep up with the current science and trends as well as new students coming into the industry. I hope to always strive to reach anyone in the Midwest who wants to advance and further herself with education. I make that promise to them and to myself every year.”

• to expand my 2008 resolution to include everyone, everywhere; to help any nail professional in my path no matter where it may be to increase profits, knowledge, and confidence

Resolution

Achieved?

Details

'09 Resolution

• to be one of the best nail artists in the country, doing everything from photo shoots to videos to print ads and to be the one called when someone wants something “special” created

• to teach what I know about nail art

Partially

“I am well on my way to making my resolutions a reality. I was asked to be a part of the Madison’s Who’s Who of American Business Women for 2008-2009. A while ago, I was asked by Nails International to submit some of my artwork. They will now appear in the February 2009 issue of a magazine published in Greece titled Vivere Nails. In September, I received a phone call from celebrity nail tech, Bernadette Thompson, inviting me to do some nails for a fashion show in New York City. I was a nail tech with her and another tech for the 6119 Maurice + Illana Sunderland Launch Event held at The Glass Houses at the Chelsea Arts Tower, then we whisked off to do nails for the 10-year anniversary show for Sean John collection by Sean “Diddy” Combs taking place at Macys. In January of 2009, I will be attending a seminar, conducted by Bernadette Thompson, on exactly what I’m looking for. We will be getting advice and education on becoming a freelance nail tech.”

• to continue on my 2008  resolution  — anything is possible

Resolution

Achieved?

Details

'09 Resolution

• to build a full book

• to show clients how fun color enhancements can be and get away from plain pink-and-whites

Yes

“I filled my book, which didn’t take me long at all. The hardest thing I ran into was the fear to try something new and unseen. Once I got my clients past that, they became addicted; I even have some of them hooked on embedding. My whole experience last year has given me a new strength and drive to spread my wings!”

• to open my own salon and introduce this Tennessee town to fresh ideas about nails

Resolution

Achieved?

Details

'09 Resolution

• to go to America to create nail art tips for photo shoots of American celebrities

Partially

“I wasn’t able to reach American celebrities, but I did make some great connections to help me reach this goal in 2009. I served as a secretary to the CEO of MySpace.com Japan — lots of celebrities have MySpace accounts for their promotion, and MySpace Japan’s policy is to encourage all kinds of Japanese artists. I joined a club event that is related to MySpace Japan as a nail artist; I could get good opportunities to make connections to show my art via the Internet and live events.”

• to keep striving for my 2008 resolution, step-by-step

Resolution

Achieved?

Details

'09 Resolution

• to upsell my clients into more spa services

No

“With the current state of the economy, I feel guilty trying to upsell clients and get them to spend another $15. It hasn’t been my priority.”

• don’t have one yet

Resolution

Achieved?

Details

'09 Resolution

• to enroll in one of CND’s advanced classes, be invited to boot camp, then become an educational ambassador

• to add 10 new enhancement clients to my business

Partially

“I did grow my clientele by another 10 clients. It wasn’t that hard to do because of my phone book ad, my website, and word-of-mouth referrals. For my CND goals, the advanced classes haven’t been available yet in my area and I’m waiting to hear back on boot camp.”

• to add another 10 new clients

Resolution

Achieved?

Details

'09 Resolution

• to become more involved with the local beauty school

Yes

“I visited the local beauty school to drop off samples, menus, and extra NAILS Magazines, but I’d just missed the graduating class and there were no more techs enrolled. The teachers did give me the names of a couple of techs and one visited me incognito for a pedi. We hit it off and one of them has been working with me since Spring. I’ve been mentoring her and since I have no room for any other techs I’ve not visited the school since. I do have another stash of NAILS Magazines that need to be donated now, so I’ll visit the school again within the next month.”

• to avoid any  foolish, ego-driven mistakes that could lead to the downfall of my quaint little business

• to grow the Annual Nail Tech Networking Event of the Smokies