For nail professionals, NAILS asked what has been their “favorite mistake” — the one that taught them valuable lessons that continue to serve them and help them in their nail careers to this very day.

YOU CAN LEAD A HORSE TO WATER….

My biggest mistake (and lessoned learned) was when I had my first apprentice at my nail studio. She’s the sweetest girl, but she came with some major career handicaps.  First, she had absolutely no experience, which was fine because I was willing to train her from the ground up. Second, she had no car or any efficient mode of transportation. Third, she only wanted to be a nail technician because of coercing by her older sister, so she didn’t even want to do nails to begin with.

I had been in the industry for over a decade and had always been the nurturing type. And I’ve trained many people but had never had anyone work under me. So when I acquired my apprentice, I tried my hardest to make it work. Despite the fact that she carried good conversations, she could not perform a decent standard manicure.

I held her hand and led her through it, but after nearly eight months of teaching her, or to put it bluntly “coddling a baby,” I felt like I was ready to rip my hair out. What a mistake I had made having an apprentice. It was difficult for me to discipline her because of her kind nature. She would pout and it would break my heart. 

She couldn’t paint or do a simple French or any basic tasks, and on top of that, she was terrified of glitter. But when I realized she only came in whenever she pleased, was never punctual, and only worked once a month (Yes! Isn’t that crazy?), I reached my breaking point and fired her.  

The mistake of hiring her made me grow as a salon owner today. Now, I’m never afraid to voice my opinion (with much grace, of course). I did the poor girl a favor though. Nails were never her forté nor her passion. I believe now she does something with customer service and retail and is fantastic at it. And letting her go made me learn to stand my ground, something I feel every strong salon owner should be able to do.

Amy Oung

Harmony Nail Studio, Warwick, R.I.

NO MORE FLAT RATES

My favorite mistake so far as a nail technician is only charging a flat rate for nails, which I currently do. I am well known for it, yet sometimes I regret it!

I never charge extra for nail art, extra glitters, Mylar, Fimo canes, decals, or anything. Some of my more intense designs, that in my opinion should probably cost well more than what I charge, only cost my clients $40 for a full set or $35 for a backfill.

I just feel like my clients are loyal and deserve something from me, so I strive to be a friendly, open minded, creative, and efficient nail tech.

Sometimes I feel as If I am “underpaid” but never under-appreciated. My clients always talk about how they love my nail art and can’t believe how affordable it is.

Alycia Barrett

Nail Candy, Redding, Calif.

[PAGEBREAK]A LITTLE PERSPECTIVE

I’m reminded of a time when I’d first opened my salon and knew of a tech who was about to leave her salon in search of greener pastures. I put together a complete proposal outlining everything positive I could offer her if she came to work with me, the chief reason being my 15 plus years of nail knowledge I could share with her. It hurt my feelings and pride when she chose to be a solo tech in a different salon, but in the long run it worked out better for both of us.

The salon she chose had many issues and I felt it was not the right fit for her. I tried to talk her out of starting there and told her of a different salon where I thought she’d find a better salon family. She didn’t take my advice again and went to the salon she chose, where she had one bad experience after another. She finally left to go to the salon I had recommended, and she’s been there now for about six years.

During this situation I was griping to a client/friend and she imparted some sage advice to me that I will never forget. She said “You can’t want something more for someone than they want it for themselves.”

It helped me put things into perspective and cut loose any ill-will I could have developed toward this other tech, and to this day I try to keep myself from getting emotionally bound up in decisions other people make that are totally out of my control anyway.

Jill Wright

Jill’s A Place for Nails, Bowling Green, Ky.

STRICTLY BUSINESS

I have been a salon owner for almost two years now, and I have learned quickly that you cannot be friends with renters — only friendly. They can take advantage of that friendship. During altercation resolutions, one or the other will feel you are going to take their side. Then hard feelings happen and more conflicts can arise from that. You can never make every type of personality happy.

Alison Sanders Byford

Lavish Lashes, Tulsa, Okla.

[PAGEBREAK]FOOLS RUSH IN

My biggest learning experience came from ordering products without researching them properly.

Julie Pecanty Perry

JuJu Does Nails, Brookhaven, Miss.

OH MY ACHING BACK

I’ve been in this business for 22 years and my biggest mistake was NOT listening to my body —specifically the lower back.

LaSharn Newbill

My enHANDSments by LaSharn, Bolingbrook, Ill. & Elkridge, Md.

THE FIX IS IN

Eight years ago I was a struggling nail tech fresh out of school and I told my clients I would fix breaks for free. It has helped me to be able to do a repair quickly but I find clients take advantage of the fact that it’s free.

Regina Hoffman Contreras

Premier Nails, Fremont, Ohio

BEING TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF

My biggest mistake has been making exceptions for people, i.e. price breaks, not enforcing policies, and being too lenient.

When you give some people an inch, they can sometimes take a foot. This is my business and in order for you to respect it I have to respect it. 

Shawn A. Wilkins

Chicago, Ill.

FINDING YOUR SPECIALTY

One mistake I’ve learned from is that as nail techs we don’t have to offer every kind of nail service. We usually start out as nail techs wanting to do and offer every nail service. Big mistake. Hone in on a specialty and you build a stronger clientele.    

Lynn Nicolai

Manicures to You, Naperville, Ill.