Swatch Watch
So today I finally pulled my checkbook out, took a deep breath, and invested in some new gel-polishes.This “required” driving to my preferred supply house in a town some 60 miles away. Primarily because they make
Maggie Franklin
Blogger
Am I in the Twilight Zone?
It started with a simple inquiry from a prospective client who e-mailed to say that she wanted to book an appointment with me, but first she wanted to know if I did “full acrylic and not
Marking My Territory
It’s time to revisit my watermark. Some people tell me it’s distracting, some people say those people are crazy. Either way, I agree that I’d like something more subtle.Ahhh, but there’s the problem. The watermark should
So Challenging
Last year I added Instagram to my regular routine and, in doing so, have learned a lot about the non-professional nail art community. I also discovered how many nail art “challenges” are out there.I never have
Lifters Gonna Lift
I have been on the great quest for the Perfect Product [insert sound of angels singing] but, alas [dramatic sigh], I fear there is none.Part of the problem comes from looking at techs posting pictures to
Unexpected Guests
I know I’ve mentioned in the past that I have never had so many “walk-ins” since I moved to a private office on the fourth floor of a semi-secure office building. I blame the Internet —
Lost in Translation
I think anyone who’s been following me online for long — on any forum — knows that I don’t always come across as “perky”’ or “positive,” or “fun.” I’ve dealt with all sorts of accusations, insults,
Time Travel
It’s the beginning of a new year. I will spend the next few weeks making sure my ducks are in a row, adding up receipts, and figuring out how much money I made in 2013 and
Gone to the Blogs
*sigh* I’m gonna get letters. Let me start with a disclaimer, because people skim through what they read and don’t take time to think about what the words are actually saying. Watch — it’ll happen. I don’t
A Little off the Top, Please
The other day, I was walking down the hallway to my salon just as the massage therapist next door was coming out of her room. She informed me that one of our other neighbors — an
The Quest for Good Enough
Being a professional nail tech — at least the type of nail tech I am; you know, out here in the “trenches” — is all about finding a balance between that nagging quest for perfection in
I’m Not a Babysitter
I’ve always refused to make reminder calls. In part, because it’s a time-consuming pain in the patootie. Especially for a night owl like me who’s already fighting to survive in a diurnal society. Most people expect
Not Entirely On Topic
So there I was, on Holly’s blog — the one that’s all “thanks for being awesome” with the little turtle looking out the window (loved the picture) and I was all thinking, “Dang! I wish there was
Give ’Em an Inch and They’ll Bring a Kid
This morning I was waiting on a client when she texted to give me a heads up that she was “running 10 late.” I usually mark off a little extra time for this particular client to
Ya Dun [Messed] Up, That’s Why!
I am working on a “professionally” worded e-mail template to “politely” explain my reasons for deactivating the self-booking feature on my online booking system for certain clients — or would-be clients, or wannabe clients, or whatever
Yearly Progress Report
I love making resolutions for the new year. It’s just one of those meditative rituals I enjoy; a sort of mental end-of-year cleaning thing, I guess. Clearing away the debris of the ending year, making peace
And I’ll Be Checking It Twice, Too!
For years I have tried to come up with a plan for some sort of end-of-year reward/punishment — yes, punishment — program for my clients based on their behavior throughout the year.Lots of business do this