This is the final part of our back-to-school series — or as I have called it the “back-to-work” series. So far, we’ve talked about renovating our look to be more professional. We’ve mentioned updating out hair, makeup, and nails to match our new fall wardrobe. This will also help us to generate retail sales and remind us to talk about the new fall hair, nail, and makeup colors.

What is the favorite thing kids like to do for back-to-school?  What do they get most excited about? They love to go shopping for their school supplies. Do you remember going shopping to get a new package of pencils, brightly colored folders and notebooks, a fresh box of crayons, etc.? Remember how happy you were to go up and down the aisles and fill the cart with all new school supplies. We needed it all too — extra erasers, glue, a ruler, a pencil sharpener, anything that would fit into our school boxes. Nowadays, kids have detailed lists provided by the school listing exactly what they need. Do you remember how excited you were to have new tools?

As a nail technician, you need new tools too. When was the last time you updated or purchased new supplies for yourself and your business? This got me thinking, so here are a few things to consider for fall.

> Nippers: Did you know you can get this tool sharpened? Most of the places that sharpen the stylists’ shears also sharpen nippers. It’s way more cost effective to get them sharpened than purchasing a new pair. Most places will sharpen your nippers for under $10. Have your nippers been sharpened for the last time? Is it time to break down and buy a new pair? How do you know when it’s time to get them sharpened or get a new pair? When you start tugging at your clients’ cuticles and the nippers don’t make a clean cut anymore.

> Foot files: When was the last time you purchased a replacement head for this tool? Is it time replace this tool and just get a new one? Foot files are a tool that is constantly getting revamped. They come out with new grits, stronger handles, new surfaces, replaceable abrasives or heads. Check out your product distributor; they may have something new. As always, make sure your salon is selling the foot file you are using. Clients want what you have, so make sure it’s available to them and you get the retail sales as well. How do you know when it’s time to get a new foot file? When the bicep on the arm you file with is bigger that means you’re working too hard!

> Nail clippers: These are pretty easy and inexpensive to replace. They don’t have a long shelf life. I have purchased expensive and inexpensive nail clippers. It doesn’t matter how much you spend, just as long as you find one that works for you. How do you know when it’s time to purchase a new nail clipper? When they look rusty or the jaws don’t line up or cut through the nails easily.

> Acrylic or gel brush: This can be a big expense. Brushes are available in all shapes and sizes and various bristles. When your brush loses a lot of bristles, the bristles look mangled, and the brush can no longer hold the ratio of product you put on the bristles, it’s time to get a new brush.

> Nail files, orangewood sticks and buffers: These tools should all be disposable and single use. However, you can use sanitizable plastic orangewood sticks and a crystal nail file. You can also give clients a disposable file and ask them to bring it back with each visit. Disposable and single-use items may not be your state’s law yet or may be already. It’s just a good practice and it’s great that the clients see topnotch sanitation too.

These are just a few tools that I use on a regular basis that I think need to be updated. Now is a great time to invest in your tools before the holidays are upon us. Purchase a new tool every week with your tip money to avoid a bill all at once. Watch for sales at your local distributor to get the best price. You want to get your tool situation under control now before the holidays. You don’t want to be super busy and worrying about faulty equipment

Remember, the kids are getting new clothes and so should you. They’re updating their look and so should you. They get new supplies and tools and so should you. They are taking new classes and so should you! Don’t forget they update their schedules and so should you. Get your holiday hours and schedule changes in the books now to avoid scheduling confusion and rescheduling.

Keeping you updating for going “back to work” while the kids are going back to school — one more way to help you stand out above the rest and become the BEST!

— Jill