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
On the Road in Denton, Texas
This Dallas nail technician loves nails but wants to expand her horizons into skin care.
June 2, 2005
2 min to read
Molly Sutton’s is bored. After 10 years of doing nails she’s switching gears, focusing more on building a skin care business than doing nails. It’s not that she doesn’t like nails; after all, it helped her finance her college education, enjoy the pricey hobby of horse showing, and open her own full-service salon. She has so many standing appointments that she takes virtually no walk-ins and few new clients, but she’s looking for more profitable salon services. And she sees skin care as the answer.
Augmenting her nail clients with more skin care customers, she hopes, will also ease her career ennui. Right now the customer mix is half and half, and most of her nail care clients have been with her since she received her license 10 years ago. To be honest, she says, long term clients are a double-edge sword. They’re steady and predictable, but so too are their stories. “At least when they're gettin’ a facial,” she confides, drawing out every syllable, “they don’t talk you.”
Her clientele consists mostly of serious acrylic wearers (she estimates that 95% of her clients wear acrylic and get their fills like clockwork). Sutton says she hasn’t seen a move toward natural nail care services, and pedicures remain strictly seasonal in this town where boots are year-round footwear.
While studying business in college, Sutton started doing nails because it was a way to earning money between studying and getting to classes.
At her father’s urging, she studied to become a paralegal, but didn’t enjoy it and ultimately dropped out of school. She dabbled in real estate, horse showing, and permanent makeup, but ultimately could always rely on doing nails to pay bills.
Drawing heavily from two nearby universities has bolstered business in a non-descript location in this town 40 miles outside of Dallas. There’s room for a hairdresser, massage therapist, nail technician, and esthetician. Right now, it’s just Sutton and the massage therapist, but she hopes the addition of the right hairdresser will increase business for everyone.
Don’t get her wrong: This Dallas native says she loves her clients and acknowledges that the nail business has been very good to her. It’s just that she’s got an itch to do more. She imagines after building up her esthetics clientele she might be interested in becoming an educator or, ideally, going to work in R&D for a skin care company. “I’d love to work in the lab and come up with new products,” she says.
I suppose next time I’m in Denton I won’t be able to get another pedicure with her like one I did this time, but I’d book a facial with her in a heartbeat.
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.