Have you ever referred one of your clients out to another tech? Maybe someone moves away, or goes on vacation, and it just so happens you know a tech in that area. Probably another nail tech that you “know” from a networking forum or “met” via a Facebook group — maybe even someone you know from tradeshows or classes you’ve taken. But another nail tech you perceive to be on par with yourself. Someone who presents herself as a conscientious professional, who pursues continuing education, is active in the industry, who runs a clean ship and knows what MMA is.

So you think you are referring your client to another professional who is going to be — more or less — a lot like yourself.

Well I have. Tons of times.

Now, how many times have you heard back from that client and gotten an in-depth review of the person you referred them to? Only to learn that the tech you perceived to be a like-minded professional is, in fact, totally not in your league?

Well I have.

The number-one thing I hear back from clients is, “She’s not nearly as clean as you, Maggie.” Often accompanied by, “She didn’t even make me wash my hands.”

For the record: I don’t think I’m that clean. I’m state board compliant, for sure. But my work area and I are perpetually covered in dust and glitter. I’m thrilled that my clients feel my salon is so clean. But I’m forever comparing myself with sterile day spa environments and promo photos of salons in magazines, so I’m convinced that the place is a sty.

So I wonder how many times other techs have referred their clients to me, based on their perception of me from my Internet presence or their experience with me from industry events, only to find themselves disappointed in my failure to live up to their perception.