Nails
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Business

Reader to Reader: How do you keep yourself, you employees, and you salon safe?

May 1, 2002

As a nail instructor I teach my students about universal sanitation: the use of gloves, safety glasses, disinfectants, detergents, personal hygiene, salon cleanliness, and following state board rules and regulations.-Zora Garner, Ayers State Technical College, Anniston, Ala.

We do fine drills. My salon is in a small Alaskan town with very little crime, but we have bars on the windows just in case. We try to keep up with the safety standards of Oregon and California.- Louise Earle-Snyder, Purr-Fect Nails, Soldotna, Alaska

We have a well-lit parking lot that we can monitor from the front desk. We watch our clients when they leave and make sure they get to their cars safely. We have a locking file cabinet where we keep our files and client information and only the owner access to it.-Diane Miller, It’s All about Me, West Jordan, Utah

My primary concern, being an owner and operator, is guarding against the spread of infection. All of my clients have their own envelopes. Artificial clients have their own envelopes containing their own files, sanding bands, and buffers. Natural nail client each receive an autoclave envelope with a nail brush, sanitizing fizzing ball, a new nail file, and a new orangewood stick. Not only do I feel safer about this, so do my clients.-Lori Flynn, Salon 1921, Scranton, Pa.

At night we walk our clients out to their cars and don’t go back in until they have left our parking lot. Once it gets dark we lock the doors and set the alarm. We had it installed as a precaution even though we are not in a high-crime area. We also have strict sanitation standards. Safety is of utmost importance to us.-Christy Sims, Kreated Nail Envy Inc., Phoenix

I am the only one in the salon so I have to be extra careful. I have a monitored alarm system with a panic button that is connected to the police. Because I work alone in the salon I lock the door after my last client arrives.-Donna Graham-Parker, Polished!, Woodland, Calif.

More FAQ

What, if any, are my obligations to my booth renters when it comes to walk-ins?

I own a salon that is part booth rental and part commissioned employees. There has been some question regarding the walk-in process. What, if any, are my obligations to my booth renters when it comes to walk-ins?... read more

What can I do if I have too many clients?

I’ve got a full book of regulars and more people wanting occasional services than I can accommodate. I’ve already added some evening hours and don’t want to add more, but I don’t want to turn people away either. What can I do?... read more

Do you bargain when it comes to your prices?

We’ve all known clients who mention pointedly that the salon down the street charges less. And these days, we may even encounter longtime clients who simply can’t afford the services they did in the past. So how do you respond? We asked techs: Do you bargain when it comes to your prices?  ... read more

Is a booth renter ok without a signed contract from the salon owner?

I’m a booth renter, but the salon owner did not give me a contract to sign. Am I OK without one?... read more

Am I entitled to a key as a booth renter in the salon where I work?

I am a booth renter in the salon where I work. The owner said she does not have to give me a key. Can she do that as I own my own business?... read more

Reader to Reader: What is your best salon-related organizational tip?

What is your best salon-related organizational tip?... read more

I’m a booth renter, but the salon owner did not give me a contract to sign. Am I OK without one?

I’m a booth renter, but the salon owner did not give me a contract to sign. Am I OK without one?... read more

Does the salon owner have to give booth renters a key to the salon?

I am a booth renter in the salon where I work. The owner said she does not have to give me a key. Can she do that as I own my own business?... read more

Reader to Reader: Do you loan products to other techs?

Do you loan products to other techs?... read more

How do I promote myself within a full-service salon when I am the only manicurist?

I’m the only manicurist in a full-service salon and I’m wondering how to promote myself within the salon. What’s a good conversation starter when you first greet a client who’s sitting in the salon? I’m a shy person and I have a big problem talking about my business with clients.... read more

How do I determine my fee for party packages?

I would like to offer packages such as little girls party packages and bridal party packages. Now how do I determine how to base my fee? I would like to have one flat rate.... read more

Should we have clients sign a consent form prior to receiving nail services?

Do you think we should have clients sign a consent form prior to receiving nail services?... read more