Well, not you. I sorta figure most of my readers are actually nail techs themselves. But that's what I want to shout at people sometimes.

I hear people whining about finding a "good" nail tech all the time. But what they define as a "good" nail tech, I'm still trying to figure out.

From my perspective, a "good" nail tech is someone who gives a darn about what she’s doing. She takes the time and makes the effort to learn a thing or two about the products she uses and knows what MMA is and not just why you shouldn't use it. She also makes sure to check her own products to make sure sheisn’tusing it. A "good" nail tech works hard to avoid doing damage to the natural nail, is aware of the rules and regulations pertaining to her profession and makes a reasonable effort to operate in compliance with them, and disinfects her implements not just because it's the rules, but because it's a really good idea.

In my mind, a "good" nail tech isn't merely someone who does pretty nails or nails that never lift. A good nail tech is someone a client can trust with her nails, and rely on as a professional for a long-term relationship. Which means that a "good" nail tech is also someone who reliably shows up for her appointments and isn't constantly re-arranging clients or cancelling on short notice.

But people are always going on and on about finding someone "good" to do their nails. Then they gripe about how much it costs, or how hard it is to get an appointment.

It's not hard to get an appointment with a "good" nail tech, it takes time to get an appointment with a good nail tech. You just have to wait. You're not going to be able to call up 10 minutes before you want to get in.Do you know I actually had a call last week from a woman who asked if I could do two pedicures and a polish change in 10 minutes?! I'm pretty sure she meant "in 10 minutes" like could they come in 10 minutes from when she was calling, not could I get two pedis and polish change done in 10 minutes — but seriously, who thinks that's a reasonable expectation at 7 p.m.?

I'm at my wit's end listening to people tell me they are looking for a "good" nail tech. I don't believe them anymore and I'm tired of singing my "why I'm what you're looking for" spiel. I'm not what they're looking for, they're not looking for someone "good," they're looking for someone else.