Nails
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Business

Reader to Reader: How do you interest hair clients in nail services?

April 1, 1998

Make sure that the hairdressers in your shop have their nails done by you – they make good walking advertisements. It’s also good to offer complimentary manicures or nail repairs to hair clients when you’re not busy. Some hair clients may have never had a manicure and if they happen to have a broken nail, you can introduce them to artificial nails. – Yvonne Mitton, Haney’s Happenings, Lamasa, Texas

If I’m not busy and one of the hair stylists has a client, I approach them and ask if they’d like anything to drink. I let them know that if they want to pamper themselves, they should give me a call. I also give our stylists pedicures and manicures and paint daisies on their nails. Their clients usually ask about those and get referred to me. – Tina Daubenspeck, Sanibel Beauty Salon, Sanibel, Fla.

I’ve found that giving hair clients complimentary hand massages is very effective. I just approach them, offer them a massage, and we usually start talking about nails. – Caroline Pomakis, Eclipse Salon, New Orleans

We’re very busy in out salon so we usually don’t have time to mingle with our hair clients. However, we have nail art that has appeared in NAILS hanging on the walls, and we also have a book filled with different designs that’s passed around the salon. – Gabrella Ellena Carino, Gabby’s Razzle Dazzle, Hair & Nails Studio, Islip, N.Y.

I approach hair clients with a big smile on my face and tell them that I am offering a special on manicures and would love to treat them to a manicure or any other service they are interested in. This worked when I was a new tech and was still building a clientele. People love to pamper themselves and the worst thing they can say is no. – Tina Robertson, Fingerpaints Salon, Clovis, Calif.

We were a nails-only salon when we first started out. Now, we’re about 50-50, so in order to attract hair to nails, we put ads on our ceiling. While clients are getting their hair shampooed, they lay back and see our “Ask About Acrylics” ads. We also put up ads on the mirrors. We’ve received a huge response from these. – Judith Zaretzke, Bridgewood East, Neenah, Wis.

More FAQ

What’s the best way to recruit techs for a new salon?

I’m opening a new nail salon and am having a hard time finding nail techs besides myself. How did you find yours? I’ve tried Craigslist, cosmetology schools, and beauty supply stores. Any suggestions? — Jen McClain, owner, Completely Polished (www.completelypolished.com), Cranberry Township, Pa.... read more

What low-cost extras do you provide that clients perceive as having a high value?

A complimentary glass of wine, an extra-long foot massage … these are the small gestures that keep clients coming back — and sending their friends to your salon. We asked techs: What low-cost extras do you provide that clients perceive as having a high value?... read more

Should the salon owner do nails herself?

Should the salon owner do nails herself ?... read more

Services For Teenagers

I’ve gotten requests from a few moms to add services for teenagers to our menu. I don’t mean the “little princess” 12 and-under service, but the 14 to 18 set. Their input has been that they will get their nails done more often, but can’t justify the full, luxury spa experience. I’ve been thinking about doing a “teen night” each week with really basic mani/pedi options (no massage, no callus care, etc. — just shaping, light cuticle work, polish and lotion application) that focus on trendy colors and options for spirit manis in school colors, etc. What do you think is the best way to address this demographic?... read more

How do you react to negative feedback?

Reader to Reader: How do you react to negative feedback about your business on social sites like Yelp and Facebook? Do you respond publicly or privately?... read more

Starting a Salon

I’m just about to graduate from esthetics school in Canada. I would like to open a small salon that focuses mainly on pedicures. I’m at a loss as to where to start, beginning with what products to use. I would like to offer at least two different product lines. I would like my pedicures to make a difference (detox, make feet feel relaxed and smooth and happy). Any suggestions?... read more

Is it Better to Buy?

Is it better to buy?... read more

Will gel-polish cause traditional polish to become obsolete?

Will gel-polish cause traditional polish to become obsolete?... read more

Do Nail Techs Really Need Resumes?

Do Nail Techs Really Need Resumes?... read more

What’s the most unusual place you did nails?

From funeral homes to a Swedish castle to the great outdoors — those are just some of the places you’ve done nails for your clients. We asked readers to tell us the most unusual place they did nails.... read more

I’m an employee on commission and I’m paying for product. Is this fair?

I’m an employee working on commission. My salon has us pay for the product that we use. If, say, we charge $25 for a fill, they deduct $3. Then we get 50% commission on $22 instead of $25. So pretty much we only get 40% in total since 10% is taken off the top to begin with. On a busy day my product costs can be more than $25, so basically I am not getting paid for an hour I worked and one service I did. Is this a common practice and do you think it’s fair?... read more

Do I have to have a website in addition to my Facebook page?

I’ve got a Facebook page that I’m pretty active on, but I don’t have a website for my nail business. Do I really need a website?... read more