The soft opening was this past weekend. The event started out slowly, but as the day went on the people filtered in and inquired about services. I was excited that, with very little marketing, there were still quite a number of people who actually had been waiting to find out when Upscale Nail Bar would open. For this event, my invitation list was comprised of family, friends, and neighboring business owners.

The soft opening allowed me to see how the space flow would work with clients. By the end of the day, I had moved some things around to be able to better accommodate the flow.  As potential clients entered the salon, they encountered a sign-in sheet that asked for their name, phone number, and e-mail address. I will e-mail everyone a coupon this week as a thank you gift for stopping by on my first day. I also offered light refreshments as guests walked in. I think this made the space feel more welcoming. I feel like the soft opening was a great start for the salon. Now that the doors are open, it is time to really get to work.

This week my plan is to look for a nail tech to join my team. I currently have enough room for another person to provide services, and I plan to use the Internet as much as possible in my search. I plan to submit my salon information to the NailsMag.com’s online classifieds, Craigslist, schools, and any other outlet that can help get the word out.

I also want to come up with a way to network with other nail techs in my area. I have been researching options for a networking plan. I think getting with other professionals can be a great way to learn and share ideas. So far my plan for the next few weeks includes marketing the salon, finding another nail tech, and networking with other industry professionals. So the to-do list continues to grow even after the salon has opened its doors. Once you actually get started, you learn so much more about yourself and the direction of your business.

—Alica, Upscale Nail Bar & Boutique, Griffin, Ga.