The Beauty Pro Book Club: 4 Reads to Inspire Growth and Success
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by Anne Moratto
On The Road: Posh Nails BK
Open for less than a year, this urban chic salon has a cool vibe that meshes well in its up-and-coming Brooklyn neighborhood.
by Carla Benavidez
October 4, 2011
3 min to read
Posh staff members from left to right are Jacyna Murray, Nikkeya Spence, Tiffany George, Kenyatta “Joi” Offutt, Debra Pakeman (manager), and Terri Streat (owner).
From Numbers to Nails
During her 10 years building a career in finance, Terri Streat had a passion for the beauty industry. In 2010, she redirected her path to open a salon in Brooklyn. Armed with her business management skills and a newly acquired license in nail technology, Posh BK opened its doors in March 2011. Streat recruited Debra Pakeman, a long-time friend and nail tech, who moved across the country to help manage the salon. Pakeman is a pivotal part of the business, providing over 15 years of industry experience. Pakeman performed my ultra-relaxing CND Tantalizing Citrus Spa Manicure, topped with OPI Shatter.
A Salon Grows in Brooklyn
When looking for a location, Streat found Crown Heights to have many signs of revitalization: a gentrifying area with a mix of young, old, and new families; recent growth in small businesses; and residents with a desire to patronize locally. Streat answered that need with Posh’s menu of natural nail care and waxing services. Clients are greeted by Posh’s brick interior, which was preserved from the building’s original architecture. The space was designed to be familiar to clients who live in the brownstones Brooklyn is known for.
Sanitation and Sweets
In her research, Streat found that for other local nail salons, sanitation seemed low on the list of priorities. At Posh, every implement is double sanitized, or disposed of, and each client leaves with a charmingly wrapped “care package” including file, pusher, and buffer. Streat opted for pipe-less pedicure spas and the staff explains the benefits to new clients. Still, as important as sanitation is at Posh, there is no lack of fun: the drying counter has candy bowls, encouraging clients to leave with a little something sweet.
Fun Facts:
> On the day I visited, Posh was the venue of a Pretty Little Princess Spa Day. Little ladies brought in by moms and family members were given a complimentary manicure or pedicure and treated to cupcakes and refreshments. The princesses of Crown Heights left with sparkling tiaras and brightly colored fingers and toes.
> Streat and Pakeman are keenly aware of the tandem relationship between marketing and networking. Streat believes in a grassroots approach to reaching clients with community events and co-op promotions. Yet they are also aware of the part social networking plays in the success of a new business. Clients can follow the salon on Twitter and “like” its Facebook page for information on upcoming events, new products, and service specials.
> The Crow Hill Community Association provided the planter that accents the salon’s storefront, one of the many ways the 25-year-old organization shows support for up-and-coming businesses.
Menu Highlights:
CND Tantalizing Citrus Spa Manicure: $25;
CND Shellac or Hand & Nail Harmony’s Gelish Gel Color Manicure: $35;
Cool Mint Spa Pedicure: $40;
Little Miss Manicure: $10;
Little Miss Pedicure: $15
Product Highlights:
Polish: OPI, Essie, China Glaze, Zoya
Gel Polish: CND Shellac, Hand & Nail Harmony’s Gelish
Mani/Pedi Products: CND, OPI
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