A second Chance of Focus Realism

When I first graduated from nail school, I just knew that I was going to break out in a big way and rake in the dough because of the billions of people that were going to fill my appointment book; I was after all, me! That told me they would come see me never did.

Adding to frustration, the first three shops I worked in were not in the best locations, and I never really felt that comfortable in them.

Fortunately, I had a small tragedy that turned out to be a blessing in disguise. It allowed me to take a short break, reassess, refocus, and get a realistic view of the industry. When I was ready to get back into work force, I didn’t just look for a place to work, I was very picky when I selected the salon I wanted to work in. I considered the location, the coworkers, the work space, and the conditions of the salon and environment. I made sure I was going to be able to work with the salon owner and other employees without any major problems. I sought a salon that not only would benefit the owner but would also benefit me.

The second time around I was realistic about what my expectations were and what to expect from the people I wanted to work with. I had more confidence in myself and new location. Atmosphere has a lot to do with attitude.

Cindy Lou Hembree

Linda’s Country Cuts

Branson West, Mo.

Remove the Bad with a Move

Last fall the salon I was renting booth space in was getting me down. The owner had decided to expand to two nail booths. I was already experiencing a decline in business due to the economy. There was not a demand to warrant another booth, but that was her business choice. Needless to say, my business all but dried up due to the additional tech and the reason-related slowdown. At 40-plus-years old, I found myself pouting - it was ridiculous.

I refocused my energy and found my center, I praised God. And I reminded myself how excited and grateful I was to be a part of this exciting industry. I then decided to make the best of a bad situation. I gladly served my few clients and began looking for a new business home whee i could express my talents and creativity.

I am happy to say that I began working at a new, updated professionally run location in January, and there is no room for a second nail table (whew!) I was able to garner a new clientele along with keeping most of the clients from the old salon. I believe sometimes change or a move is necessary to remind us to our true purpose and gift.

Audrey Wiggins

Onyx Nail Spa

Beddford Heights, Ohio

Learning to Get an A+ Attitude

I give myself a new outlook on my work by continuously taking classes and learning new things. Everyday things in our profession can wear on me and by keeping the information fresh and new, it can totally change my outlook every morning when I get up.

One thing that really gave me a new outlook on my career was going on one of the nail tech by introducing me to others in the profession that are excited as I am. It also loaded my brain with new techniques and new products that I couldn’t wait to get home and try out on my clients.

Bethany Boyd

KC’s Hair and More

Tucson, Ariz.

A Little Change Here, A Little More There

When I am burnt out, I like to rearrange everything from the salon furniture to my hours to pedicures on the wall I like to bring fresh flowers to work, too I also like to buy a variety of new products and try them out on clients. It is a great way to relieve that burnout I get from having the same day-to-day conversations!

Jen Mallow

Nail Essentials

Hartford, Wis.

Compare and Contrast Column Writing for Good Reminders

When I get down that I didn’t make as much money one week as I’d made in weeks before or that I’m tired of doing the same old thing day after day, I sit back ad reflect on just how much I hated working for someone else, following their rules, hours, pay scale, and benefits.

I usually do this reflection during a “me day,” I reschedule clients, so I have four uninterrupted hours to get a nice lunch (at the local massage therapy school), get my hair done, or have a nice lunch with a glass of wine. I take a pad and write down all the good things about being self-employed in one column and in another I write down the things I enjoyed about working for someone else. Then I do the same thing in regards to what I dislike about both employment choices.

It’s always an eye opener to see how much larger the column of good things about being self-employed is. Then I remember only I can control my future and destiny. How well I treat and service my customers determines how often they rescheduled and tell their friends and family about me. So, if my book wasn’t as full last week, and I didn’t make as much money, then I only have myself to blame. It’s a reality check we all need from time to time.

Kathi Heim

Kathi’s Hands & Feet/Sea of Softness

Richmond Heights, Ohio

Seeing and Believing Success

I was getting frustrated with not knowing how I should be progressing. I love education and go to as many classes as I can, but no one could give me a time line of how long it would take to become great. Then I went to the Entity Nail Studio in California last November, and the instructors kept saying you have to envision what you are trying to create and work on refining your technique. On other words, build on what you already have instead of trying to jump to the next level.

Once instruction told me to look at beautiful nails everyday. So with that, I took home my Entity poster (which i had autographed by the Entity all-stars, hung it up, set up a nail station at home, and just started really focusing on what I already know and where I want to be.

 I can already see it coming together. You have to crawl before you can walk, and it it’s the same in nails. I am excited to see what progress I have made, and I am even more excited when I thing of the progress I will make this year.

Codou Morris

Dolce Salon and Spa

Chandler, Ariz.

Show Time!

When I get bored with work, I know it’s time to get to a show, I find that a show and a few classes really rejuvenate me. A show is the ultimate motivator for me for both techniques and business ideas. But for a quick pick-me-up each month, I read Entrepreneur magazine.

Mary Metscaviz

Awesome Nails

Grayslake, Ill.

No Need for a New Mind-Set

I haven’t given myself a new outlook. I’m still the same happy-go-lucky person loving her job of 22 years! I still love my clients, my products (trying new ones all the time). And the industry!

Faith Glionna

Cuticles Inc.

Indialantic, Fla.

Stepping into Some Foreign Shoes

Working in the nail industry is educational, yet it is also mentally and physically challenging. There are days I go home totally drained. At one point, I became depressed and asked myself, “Why am I doing this for a career?" This one question made me examine my life and what was I could change; I was burnt out. I knew I needed changes in my career and life, so I moves to Germany, which brought a new culture and a world of changes.

While in Europe, I had to not only adapt to the new culture and new language but also to the industry there and its way of doing things, I had to update my education and learn a new enhancement system. While learning this system and what it had to offer, I also learned this system and what it had to offer, I also learned to be myself, be confident, and stick with what works. I had to try to see me from my clients’ viewpoint. Thinking  from their viewpoint, I decided I have something to offer, and I am good at what i do. I decided to step up my services, and I raised my prices so they were comparable to the culture I was in and educated my clients on what I could give them.

Putting myself into the clients’ shoes helped me remember I am making them feel better about themselves. I also realized that clients are our bosses, and when a boss brings us down or expects too much - to the point that it affects our whole live - then we needed to look at ourselves and reevaluate what it is we can do to change the situation or learn from the situation we can’t change.

Kelly Marie Dannemann

Nail Doctors Nagelstudio

Alamordo, N.M.