I most definitely give my cell phone number to clients. It is my business lifeline. I’m a booth renter so I want to be sure my clients can get me or leave a message on my voice mail. It allows me to be home with my son and run errands in between appointments. It’s also a tax write-off.--Lisamarie Gerlt, Lisamarie’s Nail Nuances (Columbus, Ohio)
I like to keep my cell phone with me, especially on my days off, so if I’m out getting supplies, new clients can reach me to schedule ahead of time. If I have an errand to run and there is no one at the salon to answer the phone, I leave my cell phone number on my answering machine. By having your cell phone with you at all times, it may help you gain a few new clients every month. It’s important that your clients can get in touch with you when you’re not at the salon or they may go elsewhere.--Katrina Heathcock, Trina’s Nails (Nokomis, Fla.)
I feel that if a client knows that she can reach you at any reasonable time, you will have a very happy client. I don’t directly give my clients my cell phone number, though. I have the salon phones and my pager linked to my cell phone number in case my client really needs to reach me.--Keema Dixon, Hair by Lady ‘K’ (Buffalo, N.Y.)
My cell phone number is listed on my business card along with the salon number. In the corners it says: To reach the salon (then the number) for appointments (then my cell phone number). This way, if I am out to lunch, running an errand, or have left for the day my clients can usually reach me no matter where I am.--Debbi Rodak, Nails To Die For (Emporia, Kan.)
I do not give out my cell phone number to clients only because I would have a huge expense for airtime charges. I do, however, communicate frequently via e-mail with my clients that are online.--Carmella Brown, Shear Precision (Eagle River, Wis.)
I only give out my cell phone number when a situation requires it, and only to clients that I know I can trust. Every nail tech has to use her own judgment when giving out a personal number to clients. I can honestly say that in the few times I’ve had to give a client my cell phone number it has been for a good reason and I’ve never had a problem. In the end it made my clients happy and that’s what is important to me.--Stephanie Howard, Denny’s Hair Studio (Waterford, Mich.)