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Starting a Salon

September 15, 2013

First off, congratulations on completing your program. When opening your own business you want to make sure you have all your ducks in a row and have disposable income to make sure you can cover all your expenses for the first year while trying to build your clientele. I recommend you check out NAILS’ Blueprint of a First Year blog at http://blogs.nailsmag.com/blueprint to learn from others’ experience.

As far as a pedicure line, you are off to a great start knowing what you want your products to do. The best thing to do is to get product information and samples to try them out. There are so many different lines out there to choose from. You can start out at www.nailsmag.com/technique/feet/product/list

Footlogix has products that are made with pharmaceutical grade ingredients. This has been a particular favorite of mine. Their line is based on the health of the foot, not just scented lotions, to get the job done as well as having homecare products.

— Ruth Windsor is owner of Angelic Beauty Works (www.angelicbeautyworks.com) in Dearborn Heights, Mich., and author of Answering The Questions To Your Sole.


Have a business question? (about marketing, pricing, personnel, etc.) E-mail it to Judy.Lessin@bobit.com and check back here for an expert answer.

More FAQ

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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

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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

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What can you tell me about Yelp? Are there any tricks? Should I just ask clients to post reviews?... read more