Just My Opinion: Step Up, Show Up, and Speak Up!
Pedicure Slippers
Beech Sandals’ Pedicure Slippers have toe separators to stretch toes and the sole of the foot for comfort, and to help keep polish from smudging after a pedicure.
Pro Nail Care: Salon Secrets of the Professionals
New from Firefly Books comes Pro Nail Care: Salon Secrets of the Professionals.
Week 22: An Economic Wrapup
Well folks, this is it — the final installment of The 2010 Project. We hope you’ve found some useful information in the 22 weeks we’ve been sending out this e-newsletter. From suggestive retailing tips to using downtime to your advantage, we included a little something for everyone to help grow or sustain your business in the rough economy that has plagued 2009.
Week 21: One Salon Dreams Big — And Gets a Little Help From Uncle Sam
Kyle Simonson, founder and CEO of Minneapolis-based Simonson’s Salon and Spas, found a down economy was no obstacle to the continued growth of her four-location enterprise. Simonson’s Salon and Spa is one of three small businesses that have come together to build a new retail development in Maple Grove, Minn., as a result of a federal stimulus bill which enables the U.S. Small Business Administration to reduce or eliminate fees on 504 loans.
by Judy Lessin
Week 20: Thanking Your Customers for “Shopping Local”
Now, more than ever, local retailers and independent store owners (like nail salon owners) need to not just want business, they also need to remember to thank those who are giving them business. The economy is still tough, the competition for paying clients is definitely still tough and yet not enough store and salon owners are letting their customers know just how much they care. So this holiday season, reach out to your clients after they have reached out to you.
Week 19: Educate Yourself to Give You Business a Boost
With 2010 right around the corner, and New Year’s resolutions floating around your mind, what better time to rededicate yourself to new experiences in the new year? A great way to build your business is to reinvest in your greatest asset — yourself (and if you are a salon owner, your employees too). There are so many different options for continuing education. Here’s a quick refresher of where you can go to increase your knowledge.
by Hannah Lee
Week 18: Do You Need to Jazz Up Your Menu?
When you look at your service menu does it stand out from the crowd? Or is it simply a list of service names (manicure, pedicure, full set) and prices? If you were to hide your logo, would your clients know that it’s your menu and not the salon’s down the street?
Motivating Across the Generational Divide
Recognizing what’s important to our employees and clients is more than knowing their favorite shade of polish or the names of their children; it’s about understanding that they embrace the things they do, in part, because of what the world looked like as they grew up.
Lotions Are Key to Lunch-Break Massage
With 500 locations nationwide, the folks at Massage Envy know a thing or two about marketing massage services — and they say the key to getting clients in to indulge in lunchtime services is the lotion.
Setting Up Shop
You’d love to create an adorable retail boutique in your salon, filling it with candles, gourmet teas, and other unique gift items, but you have one major problem: Where do you find these items — and at wholesale prices you can afford? NAILS shows you how to shop a gift show and about other venues where the retail-savvy stock their stores.
by Sree Roy
On My Mind: What the World Needs Now
I'm pretty excited to be almost done with the year 2009. It has been a rough year for magazines and the beauty business.
by Hannah Lee
Retail Boutique: Christmas Ornaments
One-of-a-kind Christmas ornaments may be just what your client is looking for. Offer them as a seasonal retail item.
Holiday Retailing Begins With an Appeal to the Senses
A great retail space is designed around the senses, says salon consultant Bryan Durocher. Ramp up your holiday retailing with an appeal to clients’ sense of touch, sound, smell, and sight.
Need Cash?
Are you looking to make improvements to your salon, catch up on bills, or bring in inventory, but can’t get access to cash? Merchant Capital Source (MCS) provides working capital to salons that are either unable to obtain a traditional bank loan or have “maxed out” their available credit.
Week 17: Applying the 80/20 Rule to Your Business — It’s Not Rocket Science
Are you are a busy nail technician or salon owner in desperate need of making more money? Do you feel that you are really close to grabbing the “brass ring” only to find yourself unable to reach it yet again? If you answered yes to one or both of these questions then take a moment, kick your feet up and read about the 80/20 Rule and how you can immediately apply it to work LESS and make MORE.
Week 16: Is Your Website Fresh Enough?
Did you know the mysterious Google algorithm that determines your search page ranking favors websites that update their content frequently? So if it’s been a while since you’ve freshened up your site, a little tweaking may be in order; this will keep it interesting to both the search engines and to your clients.