Happy New Year! I can't believe that 2011 has come and gone. The start of 2012 is bringing new business, new menu items, and hopefully lots of new opportunities.

Before 2011 ended, however, there was so much to do! I always save extra money so I can make some large purchases before the end of the year. I think I mentioned before that I was planning to add seaweed body wraps to my service menu. I did purchase a product and all the needed supplies to bring that back into my business. I have been talking it up with clients and I already have a great buzz going. My plan is to offer specials on this new service to entice clients who might otherwise hesitate to try a wrap to splurge on themselves to try something new.

The largest investment that I made was the purchasing of a new skin care line. I have been researching and doing my homework for months before I decided on a brand. I tried a lot of products I didn’t like and dealt with sales people that were either unhelpful, or in two cases, who didn’t even call me back. I ended up with a product line that I love, that is well recognized in the industry, and has a helpful staff backing them. Also, the biggest factor in my decision: the product line is NOT available at Ulta or Sephora. My clients have to come to me to purchase their skin care products.

Finally, I purchased a ton of nail supplies: polish, toe separators, scrubs, foot paddles, cuticle removers, new implements, etc. All things I needed and will use. I always take an inventory starting in October and monitor what I am using and what I am not using, so that before the year ends I know exactly what I need to start the new year off on the right foot. I also take note of things I didn’t use or that my clients didn’t care for because then I remember to not purchase that item again. I never like to be without the things I love and need to do my job correctly.

I learned a lot this year. I added to my menu, I subtracted, and I came to a place that works for me, represents my skill set well, and gives options to my clients. It actually was hard to add into my business everything I learned in nail school. Not everything I learned and enjoyed doing was appropriate to add to my current service menu. I found that pedicures were a wonderful add-on to a massage, and my clients take advantage of that a lot. I also discovered that anti-aging manicures were important to several of my clients, and my skin care knowledge was helpful in that respect.

I was disappointed to find that doing acrylic nails isn’t conducive to the environment I'm trying to create. Silks are popular, but I can’t do a full set at the end of day when I have been doing massage for hours. I had to re-learn how to schedule myself, and I had to accept that for now I won’t be using my entire skill set for manicuring. I think that someday I will get back there. My hope is that when I am ready to add more people to my business and expand that I can, at a minimum, bring someone talented in to do beautiful nail enhancements.

I am so looking forward to the New Year. I am hoping for challenges and exciting opportunities. I have set a goal to gain a minimum of four new clients a month, rebooking consistently for whatever services they originally came in for. I am definitely open-minded and open-hearted. I am going to start the New Year with a much needed vacation right off the bat so that when I start my new work year my head will be clear and ready to go!

On a side note, my husband ended up with a new job right near us, so moving, or long-term commuting is not a worry. The best part was that it was the job we wanted: Head Varsity Football Coach with a full-time teaching position! Many thanks to 2011 and all of its blessings!

—Karyn, Body Skin and Nails by Karyn, Roseville, Calif.