The Beauty Pro Book Club: 4 Reads to Inspire Growth and Success
Four publications for beauty industry professionals to enhance their leadership skills, financial awareness, professional growth, and joy!
by Anne Moratto
As I See It: A Memo to Beauty Distributors RE: Selling Nails
An experienced nail technician with a full book generates $4,000 or more per month in service sales alone, and she is usually responsible for her own product purchases.
by Staff
September 1, 2000
2 min to read
When professional nail technicians want to buy products they go to the store, part of the reason they shop in person is that they prefer seeing new products up close, picking stuff up off the shelf, and examining it. But the other part of the reason is that unlike their counterparts doing hair, nail technicians aren’t being regularly serviced by a full-service distributor’s sales” consultant.” At a time in the industry when beauty distributors are being bought up and merged, the ones getting short shrift are the nail technicians. Yet they are a group that holds great potential for a distributor interested in cultivating their business. The distributors that are smart and that want nail technicians’ business will recognize the following.
An experienced nail technician with a full book generates $4,000 or more per month in service sales alone, and she is usually responsible for her own product purchases.
Good customer service goes a long way.
The day is surely coming when the Internet will provide a highly convenient option for salons. Distributors must position for online service, whether it means providing online ordering answering questions directly or via e-mail, offering a full-color catalog online so customers can scan your wares and possibly even offering live or real-time technical education.
Beware the lure of the consumer dollar. There may be a great new frontier available to distributors who open their stores to the public, but they do so at the risk of their professional business. Nail technicians, like most salon professionals, want products that are not available to their customers.
You may prefer the major companies for many reasons, but variety is indeed the spice of life. Most consumers (professional and public) want choices. Offer it to them by offering many brands and maintain your inventory so the product is available on-demand. Do away with exclusive territories and back-ordered merchandise.
Provide quality merchandise at a fair price. Today’s beauty consumer knows that most of a product’s cost lies in the marketing, not the ingredients. But don’t insult her intelligence by overcharging for average goods in fancy wrapping.
Nail technicians will buy where they can find the products, but they aren’t above switching products if dealers or manufacturers make it too difficult to buy.
Subscribe to Our Newsletter
More Business
Create a Salon Suite That Reflects Your Brand and Delights Your Clients
The most successful salon suites balance personality, function, and comfort. Megan Communale of My Salon Suite shares her best advice for designing a space that supports your business goals and leaves a lasting impression on every guest.
by Anne Moratto
Square's 2026 Local Economy Report Reveals the Neighborhood Network Effect
Square data shows that regular customers tip 11% higher and are shared across 32% of businesses in the same ZIP code, driving thousands of dollars in additional revenue per connection.
Precision, Passion, and the Business of Beauty
When Bowie Lau and Jeffrey Ching opened JBW Jeffrey Ching Salon in 2011, they weren’t just launching another luxury hair destination—they were building a business rooted in passion, artistry, and thoughtful growth.
Sponsored by Amex
The Golden Touch: Luxury Service Helps Drive Loyalty at J Gold Salon
Inside the Systems That Power an Elevated Salon Experience From seamless online booking to a team-first culture, J Gold Salon in Atlanta offers more than great hair—it delivers consistent, high-touch service with the help of partners like Boulevard and American Express.
Sponsored by Amex
How to Build Career Connections in Beauty: Expert Networking Advice from K18’s Sabrina Sanborn
Want to grow your career as a beauty professional? K18 Sales Manager Sabrina Sanborn shares advice on networking, mentorship, and self-advocacy—from attending hair shows to finding the right guidance to reach your goals.
How Can I Minimize Cancellations and No-Shows?
A combination of clear policies, effective communication, and strong client relationships has helped me create a more reliable and efficient booking system.
Nailtorious Iconz Beauty Academy Announces the Rollout of its Professional Product Line
Founded by Cleveland serial entrepreneur Shaura Rodgers, Nailtorious has grown to include a nail supply megastore, training facilities, and retail line for nail techs.
Stylists Share Their Advice for the Post-Holiday Quiet Period
This period after the holidays can bring on a huge lull for hairstylists. We asked Cosmo Prof's team of professionals to offer their best advice on how to deal with the January-February slow period.
10 Housing and Interior Design Trends for 2025
Key highlights include a push toward inclusive spaces for all abilities, an emphasis on maximizing livable square footage, and a continued love for modern farmhouse exteriors.
Prepare for Small Business Saturday® with American Express
The busy holiday season is here, and with it comes jam-packed days, last-minute client requests and booming retail sales. For many salon owners, the highlight of the season is Small Business Saturday® (SBS). This year on Saturday, November 30, consumers can take their shopping into the small businesses in their communities.
Sponsored by Amex
6 Quick Tips for Building Financial Mastery
Want to become savvy about your personal finances, but don't quite know where to start? Anna Manukyan identifies six important concepts for building a strong financial foundation.
Success at the Top: Thriving on Madison Ave.
Salon owner Nuri Yurt had a dream of owning a salon on New York City’s Madison Avenue. "Through perseverance, hard work and stellar customer service, he and partner John Kaygisiz founded Toka Salon in 2007.
Sponsored by Amex
The Salon Today 2024 Technology Solutions Guide
This guide is your one-stop shop for a plethora of technology tools, software and services created to keep your salon or spa thriving.
Where Should My Money Live: An Account Breakdown
Anna Manukyan shares a breakdown of what different types of financial accounts should be used for.
Vagaro’s New AI Features and Communication Tool Pave the Way for a More Efficient, Profitable Business
Vagaro has consistently been at the forefront of salon software technology, helping businesses be more efficient, create more effective communication, and even improve company culture. Now, Connect by Vagaro, the platform’s two-way communication capability, and Vagaro’s new generative AI tools are giving owners new opportunities to grow and expand.
Sponsored by Vagaro
Young Nails Biz Talk: Are You Getting Too Close to Clients?
Young Nails' Greg, Habib, and Tracey discuss whether getting too close to clients can damage your business.