TPTW ... Starting Up a Nail Business - Page 3

geeg · 11-08-08, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carol at CottageNails

Hi Guys n Gals

After reading the thread that Gigi started and all the relpies, I im 99% sure you have all helped me make a decision. I started working from home home as a Nail Tech in 2004, after training with CND (l&p foundation,Brisa, spa Mani/Pedi/one to one etc). You may recall some of you how I bought a summer house and converted it into a nail salon in my garden. This was working well, but unfortuntely my father was diagnosed with terminal cancer in 2006 and for the next 11months I nursed him until he passed away in Jan 2007. Unfortunately this lost business the time I took of with dad, but worth it and glad I did, but since then I have had to re-build the business, so to do this I decided to train in Beauty, went to The White Rose School of Beauty in Huddersfield and this April qualified my Itec Level 2 Beauty Specialist course, and did this in honour of my dad.
Business is doing fine but I now need more space. I have just viewed a salon to rent from an adjoining hairdressers and really want to go for it, but also feel a little scared. Its a lovely salon,good location, (busy Passing traffic) its
£150.00 week rent all in (electric,rates,water etc) and I really want to go for it. I have around 35 clients at the moment from re-starting, but as I work from home I dont get the passing trade etc, so surely this would be the best move (i think). After reading all these replies to Gigis thread Im nearly there, I have until 2moro to decide thern the salon will be advertised in the newspaper.,A young girl has had the salon for 12months but is not interested in the business and never really opens much (apparently a relative did it for her).

Also can anybody advise me on Insurance, I have insurance with PB for client cover, can anyone advise for cover for contents etc.

Sorry for this long winded post but sometimes I am a little unsure of my own self, and need that kick up the rear.

Thankyou geekies, all advise would be really appreciated.

Regards
Carol
Cottage Nails/Beauty

This sounds so exciting for you and a great opportunity!
You need to see a solicitor to check the lease.
The rent sounds good, very reasnable.
Is it a ground floor position? Position sounds good (most important is there parking close by?)

The Guild will sort out your insurance queries and yes they will cover most eveything I'm sure.

Contact CND who will give you all the help you need (and maybe some more that you didn't expect!!

)

Get all your soldiers in a row and check the LEASE out legally. Leases can be a BIG potential problem.

Best of luck.

aj1 · 11-08-08, 01:47 PM

Gigi,

You are a very intelligent woman and I admire you so much.

I thank you for your advice on what I already know, 3 years is enough time for me to know what I'm not doing well in.

However, having said that I feel badly for taking their money, I never show that I only meant that they're like having tea with friends and they pay you for your time as I love my work.

Although, you read me like a book without even knowing me in regards to my fear of doing enhancements. I do have that fear, I mean I am only doing them here and there. Therefore confidence dwindles away for me.

Anyways, babbling here, thanks again!

You're a say like it is kinda lady and I love it!

geeg · 11-08-08, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aj1

Gigi,

You are a very intelligent woman and I admire you so much.

I thank you for your advice on what I already know, 3 years is enough time for me to know what I'm not doing well in.

However, having said that I feel badly for taking their money, I never show that I only meant that they're like having tea with friends and they pay you for your time as I love my work.

Although, you read me like a book without even knowing me in regards to my fear of doing enhancements. I do have that fear, I mean I am only doing them here and there. Therefore confidence dwindles away for me.

Anyways, babbling here, thanks again!

You're a say like it is kinda lady and I love it!

Well I have made my mistakes like the rest of you, but I am in the position now where I can pass on intelligent choices to others facing the same things.

One of my friends once said to me, "Gigi, you are so clever and so good at everything!" I answered, "I just don't do the things I am not good at doing so it just looks like I'm good at everything I do."

Who can be bothered to spend time and energy on trying to master something that does not interest you or that you know is not something you'll get expert at?? I like being the best at what I do .. I sure don't need to feel the pain of doing something badly.

I KNOW if I'm going to like doing something and I KNOW if I am going to be good at it before I do it. I think I can't be so unique. I'm sure most people have a sense of what they will enjoy and do well at. It is not failure not to be great at something that in your heart you have no interest. If you haven't got the passion you haven't got the drive. If you haven't got the drive you will never get where you want to go.

You have obviously not failed ... you are just better specialising in the things you love doing.

RedAdmiral · 02:56 PM

I couldnt agree more and I started by fluke! It doesnt matter how you start out what does is that you have the right attitude today. I believed that I could make a go of my business and went for it, I was professional and keen. I made cards, aftercare leaflets, and set up an area in my house with my products, I bought countless books aft realising I had received shoddy training.

I couldnt afford to train with CND even tho I was desperate to so I attended every FREE seminar, signed up to samuelsweet.com and took his advice to never let a year go by without learning. I eventually got my training and continue to learn and advance my business.

I grew my business from Red Admiral Nails at home, to renting in a Tanning salon, to Free lance Tech, to Educator, Salon Manager and now salon Owner. failure is not part of my vocab, even through any low points I told myself I was learning and would be fine.

Last year I was a manager for a hair, nails and beauty salon and the manager told me something that stuck - "Learn from those who have, not from those who havent" This I feel represents my career in the Industry. My business would not be the same without help from my Mentors and my Dad - who has had a business for 27 years (a Dental Tech - no wonder the smell of monomer is no bother to me!)

I wish any of you taking the plunge all the best

Doorie · 11-08-08, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by geeg

Well the people you describe just fail .. here today and gone tomorrow. I do not waste my time worrying about them.

Creative techs have a better than ordinary success rate in the UK because they are mentored and helped and I also think the people who are attracted to CND have a serious head on their shoulders and are prepared to get it 'Right from the Start' with the best education and they know where to come for any help they need to further their business.

The ones you talk about Doorie are the ones who also have the attitude Like this:

I work when I want, my clients fit in around me.
How dare clients call my mobile out of hours for an appointment?
Me? Work on a Saturday, are you kidding?
I can buy products cheaper on Ebay!
I have this awkward client so I told her to sod off!
Retail?? What's that?
Client was rude to me .. I don't need to put up with that!
Can anyone give me a name for my business?
Can you believe it? A client wanted me to go all the way to her house just for a repair?

Any of these sound familiar?

YEAH STRIKE!!

here there is no rate of the educational programs... there is nothing for nails after all. so anyone can now decide they can be a nail educator after... (TRUE STORY) 2 monthes with a "diploma", she calls herself "state" professionnal and therefore makes her clients believe there is such a thing, and NOW in fall she starts educating ppl...

oooh, and she learnt everything off youtube.

switzerland can help you realise your nail american dream...[/sarcasm]

I can find so many examples of that, it just...
like that girl complaining about ppl working black and then she buys her stuff from Ebay? HELLOOOO

anyway. to get back on the topic itself, I always wanted to do this job. it was my thing, no one believed I would do a so un decent job, but here I am. when I decided I had no money, I worked my a** off to pay the Swiss OPI education (4 MONTHS) and then I worked a bit to buy my intro kit to practice and every months after my OPI certificate I would go back to "school" and show my educator my new sets (on my hands) and she would correct me, teach me more stuff, etc. I felt like, OK, I don't have the money for now, and I don't wanna apply NOW cuz I don't wanna have a boss. and after a while, now it pays off, I am planning everything now, so that within a year I'll be fully dedicated to nails, but to a bigger view than just my nail studio since I will join the distributors, and do many other things, so now I am learning all the commercial/marketing/managing things I'll need... along with perfecting my skills all around Europe.

it's just giving myself everything and more to succeed. as you often said Geeg, I don't even consider I could possibly fail. I just won't, period.

geeg · 11-08-08, 09:01 PM

Doorie it sounds like you are `perfectly placed to be one of the best in the country then. Seize this opportunity with both hands.

Lucy-Jayne · 11-08-08, 09:23 PM

Without this site, I wouldn't be where I am today.

With the support of fellow geeks and someone to believe in me (my other half), I've given up my well paid day job and taken the step of opening up my own salon. Scariest thing I've ever done in my life. Hard work and A LOT of money as an investment. So much so, we've got to sell up or rent the house out and go and live with Steve's mum and dad. All because Steve believed in me enough to invest in me.

I started with CND education right from the beginning. And I completed day 3 of 5 of my Masters today, and the first thing I did was come home and put a new set on myself. I've been inspired by CND, Gigi, the Sam's and today, Ketan.

The biggest compliment to me was today when Ketan said that my nails were 'pretty good' and looked like a lovely set. OH MY GOD, never thought I'd hear Ketan say that without laughing!

That gave me the most recent confidence boost to confirm that I AM in the right job and I can only get better.

I can't see me feeling like this if I'd have done a one day course and bought tat off Ebay!!

Doorie · 12-08-08, 08:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by geeg

Doorie it sounds like you are `perfectly placed to be one of the best in the country then. Seize this opportunity with both hands.

I will!!

I will steal that quote from you Geeg, about being good at what you do

pretty_in_pink · 12-08-08, 09:51 AM

Hello Everyone

I've been "lurking" on this fantastic site for months, I've picked up so much information and great advice by reading the posts that it had spurred me on and I'm currently in training at the moment.

I currently work for a small company but have a great job, good pay, good conditions and more importantly great work mates. Sounds good, yes, but im not happy. I have always had an interest in nails but due to many circumstances I never had the opportunity nor the financial availability to pursue it (just think horrid ex husband!). I was floating along quite happy with my life until we found out my Dad had cancer and had 9 months. This was in December 07. Daddy died 8 weeks ago. From then on I really dont care about unimportant things. I decided I want to do something I love instead of something I get a company car out of. As the saying goes, lifes to short to stuff a mushroom.

Im now training in L&P and hopefully will train in gel too at some point.
My plan is to hopefully pass firstly, advertise locally as we live in the country, charging practice rates until I feel happy with my work. Hopefully do this part time for a few months then bite the bullet and sink or swim. I have a massive empty spare bedroom, as we speak im ordering a new wooden floor for it and going to paint it at the weekend. I've been looking at desks, chairs etc.. all very exciting.

Im fully prepared to work my bum off, I might not make a million by the time in 40 but at least I'll be happy.

Doorie · 12-08-08, 10:17 AM

good decision, and sorry for your father.

tick the options Geeg posted before, and give it a go

pretty_in_pink · 12-08-08, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doorie

good decision, and sorry for your father.

tick the options Geeg posted before, and give it a go

Thanks Doorie, Yes I can tick all of the options Geeg posted. Apart from am I good at what I do. I know that with plenty of practice and the support that you guys all give that i'll have a flipping good stab at it!

geeg · 12-08-08, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pretty_in_pink

Thanks Doorie, Yes I can tick all of the options Geeg posted. Apart from am I good at what I do. I know that with plenty of practice and the support that you guys all give that i'll have a flipping good stab at it!

Good luck in all you do. Your whole plan sounds idyllic. It seems that you just KNOW you can .... and so you will.

Doorie · 12-08-08, 03:13 PM

well, to me... except medical/physical problem... as long as you have the will to learn, you can make a good job.

it is a choice of yours to do nails, not the last chance you have found to make a living, so I'm sure you will do it.

unlike wanting to be a brain surgeon, for nails you can always practice and perfect practice on your self to improve your skills... and succeed.

pretty_in_pink · 12-08-08, 03:27 PM

Thank you both for your kind replys. Means a lot

PeepPaws · 12-08-08, 04:11 PM

Wow! What a fab thread to feed our passion!!!
I have felt that there has been some negativity on this site regarding nails of late. This thread seems to have helped put that 'spark' back into people.

I, myself, began my training last march with CND. Foundation, Brisa, Spa mani & Pedi courses one after the other. Fully qualified in July. I was home based for a few months. Then one of my clients nails got spotted by her hairdresser. The salon owner asked my client if I would be interested in working in her salon. My client said, ' No, I think she's happy at home'.
I was very brave and contacted the owner and said I would be interested. I had to go and do a set of nails.......glitter ones the lady wanted too!!!

That was November last year and I started rented space in the hairdressers last December.
I started in a good month as people wanted nails for xmas. This helped my client base grow. I would go into work even if I didn't have anyone in. I would offer complimentory treatments to those having tints/colour put on.
Even now I am the one who works the longest on a saturday. The hairdressers all go off at 1pm. I will stay as long as I've got light!!lol
I left a well paid job and was so scared about money. I still struggle at times. But I am covering rent, fuel, products and occasionally pay!!

I am constantly saving for courses. Currently saving to do one of Kims. I have just completed a waxing course as my clients were very keen on this service and asking me if I would do waxing. This will add to my income in the future.

My future.....well I AM going to go for my CND Pre-Masters.
I AM going to fine tune my waxing.
I AM going to do well!!!