First off, I would like to apologize to you and my business for dropping the ball the last couple of months. The reason I have been neglectful is because I've been attending school to become a nail technician. Those last couple of months had my brain on the brink of overload -- trying to learn anatomy, skin growth, and my personal all-time favorite: diseases and disorders.

Being the overzealous person I am while in school, I was also taking additional classes, including from OPI, CND, Tammy Taylor, and United Nails, learning everything from odorless acrylic systems to UV lights. I feel it's important to get a feeling of what is going on in the real world, not just what is taking place in a classroom. While learning what we do is fun, we must remember our responsibility to educate our guests.

This reminds me of an e-mail I received from the Professional Beauty Association (PBA) regarding the current state of our industry. Recently, several states are in the process of eliminating cosmetology state boards, licensing, and other regulatory measures to save money or minimize government cost. The deregulation would take away the legitimacy of our industry and careers and demolish the professional standards, not to mention putting the public in harm’s way.

Sorry, I got on my soap box. Now with a license on the wall and nail file in hand I am all set and ready to go.

Editor's Note: Ramar also finished the new nail area of True Envy! He installed that new wall finish (actually kitchen backsplash tiles from The Home Depot) himself to save money. The manicure table is folded up and under the curtain (where it looks like a table with drawers). For manicures, the salon has the client sit at a dryer chair and performs the nail services on the table.

--Ramar, True Envy Salon Spa, Orlando