MENU
SEARCHI felt I should start my first editor’s note with some inspiring and encouraging words on change. Like change is good – it invigorates, it excites, it helps move us forward, keeps us on our toes. Change requires courage and an open mind. But let’s face it, change is also painful, uncomfortable, and anxiety-producing.
I felt I should start my first editor’s note with some inspiring and encouraging words on change. Like change is good – it invigorates, it excites, it helps move us forward, keeps us on our toes. Change requires courage and an open mind.
But let’s face it, change is also painful, uncomfortable, and anxiety-producing. It makes us feel insecure, unsafe, unsure. It seems that just when you get used to something, it changes; just when you get used to people, they’re gone.
Well, there’ve been some changes here at NAILS. Me, for one.
As the new editor of NAILS, I will maintain the historical commitment we’ve had to serving the nail technician and the advancement of the nail industry, but I also plan to stay committed to those areas that still need change — like the lack of licensing requirements in some states and the need for further education of nail technicians.
The lack of uniform standards in educating and certifying nail professionals creates a group of individuals who will continue doing nails their own idiosyncratic way, with or without attention to such concerns as chemical safety, sanitation procedures, and care for the natural nail. This group of unprofessional give the entire profession a bad name and actually do harm to clients.
This need for change also extends to nail technicians who have an apathetic attitude toward selling and retail. If we don’t educate our own clients, they’ll march right out of the salon and down to the drugstore for their nail polish and accessories. By letting these clients get away, we miss the chance at greater profits as well as a chance to show the difference between salon-only and over-the-counter products. It’s a lesson we can learn from our counterparts in the hair industry, who have shown that clients will pay higher prices for and remain loyal to salon products.
We need the winds of change to blow away the outdated focus on being a single-technique technician. While some technicians manage very well by concentrating on one technique only, most could serve their clients best by offering a variety of services.
Here in the pages of NAILS, we will continue to freshen the graphic presentation of the magazine so that it is more readable, more visually exciting, more immediate.
What will not change is the fact that NAILS Magazine belongs to you. Whether it’s my picture on this page or Anna Morgan’s, the magazine is yours I want to hear from anybody with an opinion on what we can do for our readers I’m always eager to hear criticisms (constructive or otherwise) about our coverage I welcome, no, I urge your active participation in this magazine. Call me, write me, stop by if you’re in town.
PS. My personal best wishes to Anna Morgan, who is leaving the fast-lane life of Los Angeles and the glamorous world of magazine publishing for a position as a textbook editor in an idyllic town in Northern California. All physical evidence to the contrary, you leave very large shoes to fill.
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.
