To trim spending, Jennifer Perdue, owner of Details Nail Salon, Bloomington, Ill., tries to use stock she has on hand instead of investing in the latest thing. “For instance, I will enhance the pedicure scrub I already have with a favorite essential oil before buying a newly marketed item — as long as it doesn’t diminish the effectiveness or experience of the service.” She suggests these other budget-friendly ideas:

1. Look for opportunities for co-op advertising. Ask your favorite product manufacturer or nearby salon to co-op with you.

2. Instead of taking the staff to dinner at a big, noisy restaurant, create an intimate at-home “favorite recipe” party where everyone brings a dish. This also builds relationships.

3. Instead of paying a cleaning service, have a pizza party once a month while you do a thorough cleaning of the salon.

4. Instead of stocking three or four bottles of each new polish shade, fill 1/4-oz. polish bottles and retail those to clients with an excellent net profit.

5. Give perks to existing clients (i.e. credit for referring people, birthday month retail discounts, etc.) instead of advertising in the local newspaper.

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