So I was talking about picking a niche, right? But there are a lot of people out there who are convinced that my own niche — all that clunky acrylic loaded down with glitter and artwork — is on its way to the dinosaur graveyard.

Well, don’t hold your breath. Not all the dinosaurs disappeared, just ask the sharks. So I might just be in luck.

But that doesn’t mean I don’t see the need for a Plan B.

Which is why, while I think our industry now entertains enough demand for diversity to warrant finding a niche, it’s not a good idea to get so comfortable in that niche that you can’t get out if you need to.

Not only is it always important to keep up with education and new products and techniques, but it’s important to keep an eye on changing trend patterns around you. And be able to recognize the difference between a passing fad and a genuine move to new styles.

If styles change so drastically around you that you can’t make a living doing those amazing pink-and-whites anymore, then you need to know what you can make a living at and you need to be prepared to expand your service menu to accommodate those changing styles.

But you probably don’t need to invest several hundred dollars in blue nail polishes if that becomes a major trend in your area — I’m pretty sure it’ll move on to something new before you can use all that blue nail polish. And just as wise: don’t invest several hundred dollars in blue nail polish because it’s the major trend in some other area. No matter how many techs from those areas you are networked with online and no matter how insistent they are that you are losing out on income and are working in the dark ages because you don’t have enough blue nail polish. Believe me... I know whereof I speak!

Point being? The industry has come of age. There are lots of opportunities to choose a specialty and find a niche for your business these days, just don’t lose sight of the evolution of the industry around you. Stay aware and keep your skills up, in case that niche gets too tight to accommodate enough clients to reasonably earn a living.