Business

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

December 29, 2012

My New Year’s resolution is to carry retail products to offer customers better service, to stay state-board-ready at all times, and to offer our clients more for their money.

Christina Litster

Effess Full Service Salon, Clovis, Calif.

My salon New Year’s resolution is to keep up to date with products, techniques, and customer service. We can always improve somewhere!

Darlene Donovan

Salon Bellamy, Derry, N.H.

I’m always spending money to improve the salon’s interior, products, and training. My New Year’s resolution is to continue to do this but more within a set budget as I just keep piling all my profit back in with a lot of overspending. Oops (but it looks pretty and we stock the best!).

Sammy Grant

Polish Nail and Beauty, Aberdeen, Scotland

My resolution is to get my new website up and to expand my nail services to add a gel that can extend the nail for those who really want that. I specialize in natural nails, so I do not offer that right now but have been looking for a product to add. Also, I really, really want to work for CND and am applying to do so. Maybe 2013 will be the year!

Shirlee Ann Kerr

Salon Blush, San Dimas, Calif.

Every year one of my business-related resolutions is that I will not tolerate last-minute appointments — appointments should be made 24 hours in advance — yet I always do try my best to fit them in somehow. I’m such a sucker!

Tricia Abreu

Nail Artistry by Tricia, Miami

My New Year’s resolution is to start retailing products, focus on my salon image, make sure to compete in nail competitions, and lastly to open a second Summa Nails.

Christine Hinds Davis

Summa Nails, Christ Church, Barbados

My New Year’s resolution is to post a photo of my nails once a week on Facebook to keep clients interested in my newest designs and products.

Georgia Berthelsen

Hello Gorgeous Salon and Boutique, Aurora, Neb.

I’d like to be on top of my bookkeeping every month and not wait till the end of the year. I start the first few months off really well, but I always get super busy and put it in the box to deal with later.

Lenzi Brock

Spoiled Spa & Salon, Vancouver, Wash.

I try to confirm my clients to help reduce the risk of no-shows and wrong appointment times or any confusion, plus use client profile cards for health issues and keeping track of colors used. I’m usually good for a while and then slip back into the habit of not doing this as I should to help things run smoother.

Jenny Taylor

Jenny at The Blonde Salon and Spa, O’Fallon, Ill.

More FAQ

As an independent contractor, do I have to stay in the salon for five to six hours when there are no walk-ins or appointments?

As an independent contractor getting a 1099, do I have to stay in the salon for five to six hours when there are no walk-ins or appointments and I’m not getting a salary? I work on a 50/50 commission split.... read more

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

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