Many a nail client has sat across from her nail technician, watching her work, and seeing her enthusiasm, and decided to become a nail professional herself. This month I ask you to take the time to cultivate the interest that client is showing in your chosen profession. Our industry needs qualified, enthusiastic, skilled nail technicians and you can be the link that helps them succeed.

The Cosmetology Advancement Foundation is an organization dedicated to raising awareness of the cosmetology profession, improving the perception of the industry, and developing programs that attract new individuals to the profession. I am involved on the CAF’s public relations committee and I’m taking this space here not just because I’m on the committee to promote the CAF, but because I believe our industry’s ability to draw in new and qualified technicians is what is our own livelihood and success hinges on. Our industry is not drawing as large or as committed a group of future professionals as it has in the past, and the turnover is very high. I think the reasons for that are many: Earning a living is getting tougher because of the competition from discount salons: the work itself can be sometime tedious: and some technicians bail out from work-related motion injuries or illness.

The CAF is looking for salon professionals to become “mentors” for current and prospective cosmetology students. Becoming a mentor would mean being available as a source of information and inspiration to future professionals: for example, visiting high school career days and taking to students about the opportunities in cosmetology. CAF is preparing a brochure for salon professionals to give to clients expressing interest, but a video and slide show is now available to use in presentations. If you would like to become a mentor or want more information, contact the CAF at 20B East 51st Street, New York, NY 10022.

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