MENU
SEARCHUntil recently, 100% of Crestlynn Wesig’s business was sculptured pink-and-whites. Adding natural manicures and pedicures was a recent addition to The Nail Mender in Akron, Ohio.
That’s me on the right with nail tech Wesig.
She was an early adopter of CND’s Vinylux and was happy to get my report two weeks later that my manicure had held up well through my travels.
> I was in Akron, Ohio, to visit one of our company’s field offices and after a full day of talking about tires (yes, we have a magazine for tire dealers), I hit the highway to get my nails done at The Nail Mender, run by Crestlynn Wesig. It took me 35 minutes to get there, which Wesig says is about half as long as many of her regular clients drive to get their nails done with her.
Pedicures are another new addition to Wesig’s menu.
> I had scheduled myself a manicure, not knowing that Wesig’s specialty was pink-and-whites. She only recently decided to bring in polish to the salon and to start offering pedicures. Though pink-and-whites have been her bread and butter for most of her 18-year career, she’s circumspect about their profitability. When she was moving to this salon suite location recently, she found an old salon menu from the 1990s. “My prices then are practically the same as they are now,” she lamented, though at $60 per set, she’s above the national average.
Renting a salon suite, Crestylnn Westig operates her single-tech salon as The Nail Mender.
> Facebook has been a lifeline for this single-tech salon owner. She swears by the Facebook group called Nail Tips for Nail Techs, where she gets support, encouragement, and serious business tips. One thing she discovered early on, though, was that if she was going to use social media as a business tool, she needed to “clean up her act.” She went through the painstaking process of cleaning up her social profiles, removing any photos that were less than becoming, and otherwise shoring up her online reputation. “If it’s not something I would say when I’m in my chair, it’s not something that I say online.” Now her clients love seeing their own nails on her Facebook page when she tags them.
That’s me on the right with nail tech Wesig.
> A family medical situation sidelined Wesig from the business for nearly six years. Her father-in-law needed near continual care and she stepped in. She doesn’t regret a moment of it, but she is trying to make up time building her business. She has an aggressive client referral program where she gives a free fill to anyone who refers a new full-set client and half-off for any new fill client. She knows that if she can get someone in her chair, she can retain them. She may have been out of the business for a few years, but she hasn’t lost her confidence.
Wesig’s walls are lined with certificates from classes taken years ago,
something she wants to get back into.
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.
