I am kind of disappointed that September is over. Financially, it was one of the best months I have ever had. I am not sure what I did differently last month, but it worked!

I kicked off October by going to Nailpro Sacramento 2011. My dear friend Abby and my husband joined me. The two of them were watching the competition that was going on. I wasn’t aware that either of them was even interested in watching that. The two booths that seemed to have the most going on were Young Nails and CND. I couldn’t even get into the Young Nails booth. Between the demos and the women scrambling to get product, the place was a mad house. The CND booth was the first on the floor as you walked in and everyone was stopping there first. I decided I would go there last.

I had come up with an informal game plan, but at least I knew what I needed and what I didn’t need. I didn’t want to go overboard. I stopped at OPI and got a foot mask and the Soften pedicure lotion. My husband was intrigued with the chairs at Belava and informed me that I needed to “get one of those”. I have to agree with him -- I like that I can lean the chair back and do a brow wax while my client’s feet are soaking or masking. It is now on my wish list. At the Backscratchers booth I picked up the disposable files that I like. I think Backscratchers' system is so easy to use and brilliant.

There was one booth who was stocking what looked to be nail art supplies and had a line wrapped around it all morning. Abby wandered over to see if we were missing anything, but neither one of us could see anything we truly needed. China Glaze was having a great deal on polish: Six bottles of regular (not Crackle) polish were $15 and for an extra $5 you could add a bottle of top coat and a bottle of base coat. I bought 13 bottles.

My husband at times seemed more interested in his phone, but every so often he was stopping to watch the demos every booth was doing. I am glad that he came. He appreciates what I do for a living and this kind of support shows it. He was even nice enough to carry all my loot! I got several brochures and fliers on different products and I will spend the next week looking at everything. It was agreed that we had a successful morning and we rewarded ourselves with a trip to a coffee shop within walking distance to the lovely capitol building of this great state.

As we were walking out of the convention center Abby asked when the Vegas show was and if we were going next year. My response? Yes!

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