January and February have been extremely slow months for us. Being sick for most of January and February, I saw how important it is to have techs working for me who are reliable and able to work independently. It also gave me the opportunity to see just how much I need an outside marketing company for those times when I am not able to market (I'm meeting with a new marketing company this week to discuss how we can get more exposure). There was a definite drop in business the two months that I was unable to actually be out there spreading the word and networking.

So the last week or so of February I turned up the advertising by getting back into the networking groups, running larger newspaper ads weekly, and getting out in the public with flyers promoting our Princess Spa Parties. And we are already seeing great results from just these last two weeks of promotions. Since we ask every new client how they heard about us, we've been able to track our marketing efforts so we know that these three marketing methods are working.

We have a new addition to the Tickled Pink family: Eren Perez joined us in January. She is a new graduate from Troutman's College of Manicuring. And she's been fitting in very well with Lucy and me. And she's been so very helpful with the Princess Parties. It's been great having another tech to help work the parties.

Princess Spa Parties...We are SO glad we decided to offer these. We've been booking up fast with these. The girls are having a GREAT time and we are getting a lot of referrals from the girls attending the parties. We've also received referrals from the woman who did one of the party cakes. And we have a few "Queen" Spa Parties on the books as well. Everyone loves a good party.

Check out the pictures of our most recent party. For each of these parties we provide services according to the package reserved, a scheduled amount of time booked in the salon, paper goods (plates, napkins, cups, utensils), decorations, beverage, spa kit for the guest of honor (GOH), custom invitations, 25% off any single service coupon for each guest and the GOH to use within the month following the party, and a 50% off any single service coupon for the GOH mom. The only thing the mom has to provide is a cake/cupcakes for the event if so desired. We've learned a lot with each new party that we do (What works, what doesn't). And the salon has been rearranged and redecorated a couple of times with each new party. We just finished rearranging and adding and deleting furniture tonight even...will have new pictures soon.

—Melodie, Tickled Pink Salon & Nail Spa, Clayton, N.C.