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 should I do to get the paying, loyal clients I need?

I am a seasoned nail tech and have just opened a nail salon. I need help sustaining new and regular clients in this economy. I have done many coupon sites (Groupon, Living Social, etc.) to build business and it has been a pain — plus my price point is higher than neighborhood discount salons. I’m not sure what to do to get the paying, loyal clients I need.... read more

Reader to Reader: What's better in the salon: small private rooms or a room with multiple stations?

What’s better in the salon: small private rooms that are one-on-one or a room with multiple stations so people can interact with each other?... read more

Reader to Reader: Should the salon be closed on holidays?

Should the salon be closed on holidays (days when most clients have the day off work) and why?... read more

Any suggestions on how to avoid theft without keeping everything behind bars?

I’m opening a salon and plan on having retail. However I live in a city and have to be mindful of security. Any suggestions on how to avoid theft without keeping everything behind bars?... read more

I’m very concerned about the other nail salons that follow the rules; it makes us all look bad. How can we stop them?

I’m so tired of all of these cheap nail salons popping up all over the place. They are so disgusting inside. The tools and mani/pedi stations are never clean. How does one report them? I’m from Michigan and the state board doesn’t reply back to me. I’m very concerned about the other nail salons that follow the rules; it makes us all look bad. How can we stop them?... read more

Reader to Reader: Who is your best "nail friend"?

For our annual Reader-Written Issue, NAILS asked our readers: Who is your best "nail friend" (AKA another nail tech who you talk shop with)?... read more

Reader to Reader: What's the nicest thing a client has ever said to you?

What's the nicest thing a client has ever said to you?... read more

How do you charge your coworkers for services?

Nail techs are a generous bunch, but does that generosity extend to giving free services to salon colleagues? We asked techs: How do you charge your coworkers for services?... read more

Reader to Reader: If you could open a salon anywhere in the world, where would you open it?

If a genie told you that you could open a nail salon in any city anywhere in the world (ignoring money and other practical considerations), in what city would you open your salon and why?... read more

Reader to Reader: Other than money, what would motivate you to work harder at your current salon?

Other than money, what would motivate you to work harder at your current salon?... read more

Should I advertise in the Yellow Pages?

Does anybody use the Yellow Pages anymore? What about the online Yellow Pages? Should I consider paying for advertising in the online Yellow Pages or is my money better spent elsewhere?... read more

What is the best place to recruit nail techs?

I own a salon and spa in Maryland. I have been looking for a nail technician and it has been impossible for me to find one. I have put out ads but I don’t seem to get anywhere. What is the best place to find one?... read more