MENU
SEARCHFinger's Nail Studios in Illinois joins the cast of winners as a runner-up.
Touting professionalism as its trademark, the staff at Finger's wears lab coats as well as safety glasses. Picutred here (left to right) are Ruth Wilson, Chris Jacson, Kristi Brown, Peggy Brach, Dawn Boudreaux, and owner Shari Finger.
Runner-Up: Salon With 9+ Nail Technicians
Location: W. Dundee, III
Owner: Shari Finger
Years in business: 8
Staff size: 8 (8 nail technicians)
Teamwork Is Salon Motto
Years ago, little did Shari Finger know that what she thought was a “piece of cake” job as receptionist in a nails-only salon would develop into a rewarding career as a nail technician/salon owner.
Touting professionalism as its trademark, the staff at Finger's wears lab coats as well as safety glasses. Picutred here (left to right) are Ruth Wilson, Chris Jacson, Kristi Brown, Peggy Brach, Dawn Boudreaux, and owner Shari Finger.
Prior to her stint as a receptionist, Finger was serious computer graphics troubleshooter and thought it would be a lifelong career. “I was on-call 24 hours a day,” says Finger. “When I had my first child, I didn’t want him to grow up in day care so I quit my job.” After three months of not working, Finger got antsy and went to work as a receptionist in a nails-only salon, where she fell in love with nails.
“Ten years ago the only nail class I could find was offered at a local distributor,” says Finger. “There wasn’t even a nails-only school around [Illinois was not licensing nail technicians at that time], so I learned how to do nails by watching the technicians at the salon, then going home to practice on family and friends.”
It only took Finger a year and a half of doing nails until she was ready to open her own business, which she has had for eight years. “I worked in a couple of salons before I opened my own and I saw lots of turmoil and competition among nail technicians,” says Finger.
With its warm, relaxed decor, Finger's Nail Studio provides a homey atmosphere for clients. Here, barstools and nail dryers await newly polished nails.
It’s ironic, then, that the reason Finger nominated her W. Dundee, III., salon in the Nail Salon of the year with 8+ Nail Technicians category is because of the magnificent teamwork of her employees.
“It took me a while to finally build a great team of nail technicians. I’ve learned that one bad apple can spoil the whole bunch,” says Finger. “We believe that we’re stronger as a group than we are as individuals. We’ve won a lot of individual awards and now this award is for my staff, recognizing what they do every day.
“Becoming a finalist was an honor, but at the same time I was completely baffled,” says Finger. “I felt like we were such an underdog going in since we’re not a glamorous salon in a glamorous town like Beverly Hills. We’re a cozy salon in a small town.” Which just goes to show that you can’t judge a book by its cover. It’s what’s inside that counts.
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.
