MENU
SEARCHVeteran nail tech Shari Finger—owner of Finger’s Nail Studio in W. Dundee, III—fields reader questions in the areas of salon management and workplace politics.
Veteran nail tech Shari Finger—owner of Finger’s Nail Studio in W. Dundee, III—fields reader questions in the areas of salon management and workplace politics.
Dear Shari,
I have a new client who is a severe nail biter. How much should I charge a biter when I will literally have to rebuild a new nail bed and then perform an enhancement to her specifications? Can I charge extra?
Sincerely,
Wants What’s Fair
Dear Wants: Well, yes, you can charge more. The question is, should you? I agree that nail biters are difficult to service. It definitely takes more time, product, and experience. And after you’re done knocking yourself out doing the perfect full set, chances are in the next week that biter will lose a couple of nails.
Biters lose nails for four reasons:
A biter’s nail bed is short and the surface area is too small to support an enhancement properly.
A biter often has a bump at the tip of the finger that makes it difficult to fit tips and sculpting forms.
Biters who have never had a free edge often find it hard to manage enhancements at first.
Biters often bite and pick at the enhancement because the feeling of enhancements drives them crazy.
So if you charge more for the initial full set and then the customer returns in a couple of days because she has lost a couple of nails, it may get a little pricey for her and you could risk losing your customer to a competitor. My advice is to keep it affordable for your customer. Some of my best customers started out as nail biters and may not have stuck it out if it was a huge financial drain. So instead of making a little extra cash at the first appointment, I have made thousands of dollars with years of appointments.
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.
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
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
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.
A combination of clear policies, effective communication, and strong client relationships has helped me create a more reliable and efficient booking system.
Founded by Cleveland serial entrepreneur Shaura Rodgers, Nailtorious has grown to include a nail supply megastore, training facilities, and retail line for nail techs.
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.
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.
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
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.
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
This guide is your one-stop shop for a plethora of technology tools, software and services created to keep your salon or spa thriving.
Anna Manukyan shares a breakdown of what different types of financial accounts should be used for.
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' Greg, Habib, and Tracey discuss whether getting too close to clients can damage your business.
This list of watch-outs from @jodydoesjels prompted us to reach out to her and learn more. We had already fallen for her hand-painted designs and now we wanted to know more about this list she created to help clients decide if she was the nail tech for them.
Education is necessary for beauty professionals to maintain their cosmetology licenses, and paying for that education can be burdensome, but it doesn't have to be. Understand which education tax credits can help you offset those costs.
