

Oops, He Did It Again!
Veteran competitor Trang Nguyen finishes first for the second year in a row on the NAILS Top 25 list. John Hauk, another former number-one finisher, comes in second. And relative newcomer Rachel Mouritsen makes a big jump from her 2006 23rd place finish to round out the top three. Just who are these top competitors?
Selling Sanitation: Smart Marketing Gives You an Edge
You know what you do to meet safety and sanitation regulations, but how do you get that vital information across to your clients? NAILS can help. Check out these marketing tools designed to help educate your clients on how you protect them.

Websites That Work for You
Clients can’t come to you if they can’t find you. With a little know-how, you can greatly improve your salon’s ranking on popular search engines like Google and Yahoo. Learn what easy steps you can take so these search engines help to build your business for you.

China Glaze Supports the Arts
Nail polish and manicures headline in a play.

American Crew Designates Men’s Grooming Day
A National Grooming Day for Men is in the works.

2007 Salon of the Year: M&M Nails & Wellness Center
M&M Nails & Wellness Center wins 2007 Salon of the Year award. Owner Maisie Dunbar calls it "the pinnacle of my nail career."

Can A Nail Tech Assistant Help Your Salon?
Bartenders have barbacks, helping to keep glasses clean and bars well-stocked, and hair stylists have assistants, helping to clean and prep the hair for styling, so what about nail techs? Can hiring cosmetology students or new graduates as assistants help your salon make more money?

Are Discount Salons a Threat?
When NAILS polled its readers about their top salon challenges, competition from discount salons ranked second on the list, just behind attracting and retaining new clients. But for every tech feeling the sting of low-priced competitors popping up on nearly every street corner, there are many who have made peace with the problem; some have even used the competition to spur them to adopt higher levels of customer service and more stringent sanitation standards.
Brush Care: It’s a Personal Thing
Here’s how your fellow techs clean and store their brushes, and what the experts have to add to the debate.
OPI Scholarships: Two Chances to Win
Point of View: Advertising in Consumer Media
Do you think it's important for nail manufacturers to advertise in consumer media?

Keeping the Salon Experience Fresh and Fun
Clients come in for the beautiful nails, but they sure do enjoy the extra touches you provide. With a little flair you can make hospitality part of your client care program. The key to keeping your clients entertained in the salon is to give them plenty to think about — new services, local art and culture, and multimedia are a few examples.

When the Economy Slows, Smart Salons Adapt
While the thought of an economic slowdown — or other financial challenge — can be scary, it can also be the catalyst for change. Take heart and learn from the struggles and strategies of two business owners who came out on top.

Welcome New Neighbors with Gift Certificate Mailers
Build your clientele by targeting new-to-the-area residents. Directly mailing welcome coupons to new neighbors brings them into the salon.

The Big Bang: Surefire Ideas for a Successful Launch
If you’re ready to introduce a new product or service, you’ll want to do all you can to make sure it explodes onto the scene and into your clients’ consciousness. Keep reading to learn how your peers successfully launched a new product line or service offering.

A Doctor's Advice on Developing a Nail Tech-Doctor Referral Relationship
Don't be afraid to reach out to a podiatrist for sharing referrals. They may be just as interested as you are in building business. Act professional and you'll be treated professionally.
Tech and Client Devise Scheduling System
Together with longtime client-turned-friend-turned-sister-in-law Sandy DuPaix, Cindy Iverson has launched a new online scheduling system called Schedule My Beauty.



