Nails
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Business

Reader to Reader: Where do you turn when you have a technical question about nails?

December 20, 2010

I call my product manufacturer, Young Nails. I use their entire product line, so they are able to answer many of my technical questions. I also refer to columns on www.nailsmag.com. - SAMANTHA BEEMAN, Total Body Salon, Stowe, Vt.

I am definitely old school; I have so many nail magazines and other books on nails that I refer to for my technical questions. I also use YouTube.com, where I find a lot of demos, shortcuts, and techniques, often done by veterans. Before asking someone, I will try to go through all of these resources. When you research something on your own you never forget it because you did the work to figure it out. - TOPAZ WOODRUFF, The Nail Cabaret, Charlotte, N.C.

For all technical issues, I first turn to who knows the product the best: the manufacturers! If I still have issues, I contact my mentors, Heather and Cindy, plus get input from the Beautytech.com message boards. It never hurts to get multiple opinions. - ADRIENNE SCHODTLER, Blissful Lounge, Holly Springs, N.C.

I first turn to a nail forum on the Internet. In my opinion, they are the experts. They are working with the products on clients on a daily basis and see problems and issues. When I post a question I get a quick response from many people with different opinions, and they really try to help each other troubleshoot until the problem is resolved. It is a wonderful little community, almost like an extended family. - DEBBIE COLEY, Your Natural, Pembroke Pines, Fla.

When I have a technical question regarding nails, I usually think about the people I have met in the industry who I have grown to trust and contact them first — for example, a local educator or a manufacturer. Occasionally, I will do a search on the Internet. - DARLENE DONOVAN, Nail Creations @Bamboo Natural Beauty Salon & Boutique, Londonderry, N.H.

My greatest source of information is from the Beautytech.com forum. Readers post questions and nail technicians from around the world can respond. It has helped me tremendously to become the best nail technician I can be! - ANGE TIDWELL, Felicias at Fourth, Gadsden, Ala.

I refer to Tammy Taylor’s website (www.tammytaylornails.com) when I have questions. Whether it is troubleshooting or product info, her website has a ton of information. Plus, if the website doesn’t have exactly what you’re looking for, all you have to do is e-mail her and Tammy herself will answer you. I have the site bookmarked and recommend it to all techs — veterans or techs just out of school! - LISA SANTOS, Afterglow Salon, Defuniak Springs, Fla.

The Internet is my best coworker. I ask questions in multiple professional forums and e-mail my nearest educator. I also look at my CND binder, which contains how tos, troubleshooting, and MSDS. (These are obtained at CND’s website.) I get an array of suggestions and therefore a handful of solutions to whatever’s causing me trouble. - KELLI LYNN BURLESON, Harlow’s, Grand Blanc, Mich.

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