Nails
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Business

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

October 14, 2011

I would open my salon in San Francisco because I love the atmosphere of the city. I love being close to the beach, and California is my favorite state — weird coming from a Kansas native I think!
Maria Trimmell
Star Treatment Nails, Wichita, Kan.

I would love to open a spa/salon in a resort in Honolulu. I would love to service people who are looking to relax on vacation and hear all about their lives elsewhere. Plus, it would be a bonus to be in such a beautiful place on my days off.
Malea Foust-Immergluck
Carol Stream, Ill.

I would want my salon right here in the place I grew up, Bradenton, Fla. There isn’t anything out of the ordinary here in town, so I would go all out and make it everything but ordinary. For instance, perhaps a nail shop that is open at night.
Yanin Moreno
Ocean Nails & Spa, Bradenton, Fla.

I’d say Ireland. It’s my favorite country, and I want to see them on the map of cutting-edge talent in the nail industry. There is serious skill there, and I don’t think they’re getting the recognition they deserve. I’d love to be a part of an eye-opening experience in competition-quality nails, nail art designs and techniques, and the highest of sanitation standards. It’s a dream of mine to open WildSide Nailz in Ireland and show that Ireland is a force to be reckoned with.
Patrice “Tracie” McNeal
WildSide Nailz Art Studio, Lancaster, Calif.

I would open one in the town where I live, Hallsville, Texas. I currently have a salon in Longview, Texas, but I have so many clients who drive from Hallsville to see me. Longview is much bigger and has a nail salon on every corner. Hallsville does not have one. If I had the money, I’d love to work in my own town and get to know more people who live here. People ask me all the time do you know so-and-so from Hallsville, and I say no. I’ve lived here over 20 years, and I haven’t gotten the chance to know my neighbors.
Joyce Donnell
Pampered Touch Skin & Nail Spa, Longview, Texas

In New York City: It doesn’t matter how many nail salons or nail spas are on the same street, they’re always full of clients getting the latest designs and nail products.
Isadoris Rodriguez
Mt. Morris, N.Y.

Vegas, baby! It would be a nail casino.
Melody C. Montgomery
Everything Nailz Ink, Greenville, N.C.

Vancouver. It has an extremely green way of life, and there are millions of tourists who stop by on cruises. We all know that tourists mixed with loyal clientele is a win-win situation! Did I mention the large Japanese community in British Columbia? That’s my #1 reason. They love their nail art, and that’s what I’m all about!
Chris Mans
Jeweled Nails, Irvine, Calif.

Hawaii. I live in Colorado now and getting clients to take care of their feet in the winter is hard. Hawaii is beautiful and it’s sunny year round. Nail salons are always in need.
Janette Sintas
Twisted Bohemian, Colorado Springs, Colo.

Illustration by Ajay Peckham

Related Articles:

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

Reader to Reader: If your salon was on fire and you had time to grab three things, what would they be and why?


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

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