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SEARCHThis month we asked nail techs: What important life lesson has doing nails taught you?
Doing nails has taught me that I can have a career doing something I love. I never thought I’d be happy in a career until I decided to make my hobby my career. I just got a job at a great salon with wonderful ladies, and I already feel right at home. I’m so happy I learned that I can be happy, pursue my passion, and make a living wage. I’ve never been happier in my life!
Rebekah Menn, Salon Indulgence Day Spa and Boutique, Little Chute, Wis.
Doing nails has taught me that no matter how much good and love is in our hearts, we have to remember that what we do is a business. Although we make lifetime friendships while we work, we also have to set boundaries. I had someone tell me she was going out to her car to get her purse to pay me and she never returned. As sad as it sounds, it’s true. So I have learned that business is business. No crossing boundaries, unfortunately.
Yanin Moreno, La Isla Bonita Nail Salon, Sarasota, Fla.
Patience. Without patience this job would be 100% harder. From waiting for your clients to choose a color, to waiting for them to decide on a shape or a nail art design, everything takes patience. The other thing doing nails has taught me is not to fear failure. Before I started doing nails I was afraid of trying new things because I didn’t want to disappoint or fail. The first day at my new job of being a nail tech a client asked for me to hand draw a Mockingjay on her nail (it’s the symbol from The Hunger Games — don’t worry I didn’t know what it was either!) I didn’t want to disappoint her or my new bosses so I tried my best. When I was done I was so afraid she was going to hate it but she was thrilled with the results and beamed from ear to ear. She showed everyone she could and it gave me the boost of confidence I needed. I no longer let the fear of failure hold me back from trying new things.
Anne VanSpronsen, McIntyre’s Salon and Day Spa, Portage, Mich.
Above all, doing nails has taught me patience. It has taught me that believing in yourself can take you a long way. Now that I’m retired due to arthritis, it has also taught me — by doing my own nails — that even if it takes a few hours, you can still do what you love and make it look good.
Dawn Knox, Pahrump, Nev.
Next question: Do you encourage your male clients to wear polish (clear or color)? Why or why not? [Answers will be printed in the November 2015 issue.] Share your opinion on the topic by e-mailing your response by August 14 to Tracy.Rubert@bobit.com. Please include your name, salon, city and state, and a high-resolution headshot with your response.
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