Business

Is perfectionism on the job a blessing or a curse?

April 3, 2014

The day you get over perfectionism as a nail technician, it’s time to retire!
Nicki Blair
Profiles, Fort Myers, Fla.

Perfectionism. I’ve been a nail tech for 16 years and I still don’t think I’ve gotten over it yet! I can sit there for hours doing nail art. I make sure everything is perfect. There are times when I surprise myself and get it perfect and there are times where I just can’t get it right. My clients are always rapt with my work and leave happy, but I’m not happy because I know I can do better than I did.
Melanie Milti
Melz Nail D-Zine, Melbourne, Australia

I’ve been a nail tech for nearly 12 years and I’m still never happy with my nails, even though they are extremely good. But that keeps me on my toes wanting to learn more and give my customers the ultimate service.
Mandy Kirkham
The salon @ eye4beauty, Andover, U.K.

I’m always trying to do better work as a nail tech and that is bad and good. My perfectionism makes me do slow work and means less money on the nail table. But my clients love the perfectionism. They love my work and design as well.
Ednice De Jesús
Ednice Nail Artist, Patillas, Puerto Rico

It’s all about time. How long will the client sit there while I fuss over something she’ll probably never notice? When you only have so much time available, you have to know what to focus on and what not to fuss about. You can’t always fix every little thing.
Katherine Evans
Gaylord Palms, Kissimmee, Fla.

I’m a pure perfectionist, but I get quicker every set I do and that’s the way it should be. Nobody wants nails in 20 minutes if it’s not top scratch. People are happy to wait a little longer for the best, and I don’t want bad nails advertising my services.
Rachael Elizabeth
via Facebook

I am a perfectionist with a hint of OCD, as my clients point out to my when I’m shifting my files around in order all the time. However, doing the funky nail art I do, my perfectionistic nature got worse. When I started doing more “free art,” I had to train myself to allow my hand to move a little messy, as not all nail art is perfect and symmetrical.
Rachel Shuttleworth
Betty-Rose Beauty Boutique, Nelson, U.K.

Perfectionist is a requirement for great customer service and client retention.
Kandie Winchester
Destiny Day Spa & Salon, Bossier City, La.

Topics:techniques

More FAQ

C’mon Get Happy: Do you have any tips or techniques you use to turn around a client’s mood?

The sun may be shining outside, but sometimes a client’s mood is decidedly gloomy — and it has nothing to do with you or your services. We asked readers: Do you have any tips or techniques you use to turn around a client’s mood if she is really negative or in a bad mood?... read more

How do you track your sales and other records throughout the year?

Nail techs are a fastidious bunch — at least when it comes to nail care. But does this extend to your record-keeping duties? And how much do you let the latest technologies lend you a hand? We asked readers to share how they track their sales and other records throughout the year.... read more

Should I lower my prices to meet other people’s standards or am I right to charge more because I give better service?

I am a booth renter in a small town. There are several other salons here that do nails. I am fresh out of school and am being told that I don’t have enough experience or good enough equipment to charge $30 for a pedicure. There is a new nail salon here that charges $20, but I’ve been told it is unsanitary and doesn’t do anything but basic nail care and polish. I give a 10-minute massage and a sugar scrub as well as basic nail care and polish. I don’t think it’s right for me to be told I can’t charge that much just because I can’t afford an expensive pedicure chair yet. But I need to build clientele while making my rent and buying supplies. All of the well-established salons in my area charge $30 to $35 for pedicures and some of them use the same type of equipment I use. Should I really lower my prices to meet other people’s standards or am I right to charge more because I give better service?... read more

Is there a business-related New Year’s resolution you find yourself making every year?

This time of year we often get to thinking about those things we’d like to be doing that we’re not doing. We asked our readers: Is there a business-related New Year’s resolution you find yourself making every year?... read more

Reader to Reader: What solutions do you have for handling extremely obese clients respectfully?

What solutions do you have for handling extremely obese clients respectfully (for instance, making sure they are comfortable in your salon’s chairs)?... read more

What do I do when a husband and wife want to switch appointments?

I have clients who are husband and wife. He has a standing appointment every other week and she e-mails to schedule hers randomly. I am often already booked when she wants to come in and quite often her husband gives her his appointment. This happened again today. The problem is his treatments run $25 more than hers. Do I charge her an additional $25 or should I just let it go? They are good clients and have become friends, but I turned away two others who would have booked at the higher rate.... read more

How do I get started servicing senior communities?

There are many senior communities in my area. What do I need to do to get started servicing them as a mobile nail tech?... read more

Should I include testimonial pages on my website?

I am putting together a website for my salon. I’ve seen some sites that have client testimonial pages. Is it a good idea to include one on my site or is it kind of old-fashioned? Don’t people go to review websites like Yelp anyway?... read more

Reader to Reader: Do you give preference to stocking your salon's retail boutique with items that are made in the U.S.A.?

Do you give preference to stocking your salon’s retail boutique with items that are made in the U.S.A. (or in your native country, if you aren’t in the U.S.)?... read more

I was thinking about converting from booth rental to commission. What do I need to know?

I have owned a booth rental salon for four years. I need to increase how much money I’m bringing in and was thinking about converting to a commission situation. Is this really going to be more profitable? What else do I need to consider?... read more

Reader to Reader: If you could go back in time five years and speak to your former self, what piece of business advice would you give her?

If you could go back in time five years and speak to your former self, what piece of business advice would you give her?... read more

What recourse do I have when a customer promises to pay the next day but doesn’t?

What do you do when your customer says to you after you are finished her set of nails, “Oh I forgot my purse at home, can I come back tomorrow and pay you?” And she never comes back. What recourse do you have?... read more

Prev Next