Additional services...?

[MadAboutNails]

I'm thinking of going back to college so I can offer more than just mani/pedicures, nail enhancements, nailart, airbrushed bodyart/nails/tans... I just think the more things I can do the better!!!

Hairdressing? Indian Head massage? Reflexology, Beauty treatments? Aromatherapy?

I'm interested in all of the above but can't obviously do it all so any advice what others have done would be great!

 

[Katelisa]

Waxing is a really good earner. I can do a full leg and 'hollywood' bikini wax in like, 30 mins max and that would cost the client around £40. but you have to be quite experienced and confident to do 'intimate' waxing. I remember when i first started doing it i was terrified of hurting the client, and it was really stressfull!!! plus its really awkward to do so it takes lots of practise. but defo worth it!! especially seeing as you use such a small amount of stock!!

Most bikini wax clients re book every 3 weeks. even through the winter.

I know its not the most glamorous of treatments to perform, but like i said, its a good way to boost profits!!

Im not sure how easy it is if your mobile (not sure if you are or not...?) to offer waxing, i spose you have to use the roller or phd systems. i dont like phd, i find it very hard to use, and ive never tried roller, someone else might be able to offer you some advise!

xxx

 

[bling nails]

yep! i agree, beauty treatments inc waxing, eyelash/brow tinting and facials boost sales and clients use all year round.

 

[linzi]

I'm mobile and I do waxing with my pot (never tried the rollers). The trick is to not have the pot too full. Leave a bit at the top so that it can lap about and not spill.

I'd say waxing / tinting are my most popular next to nails, but of course I can't do hairdressing

 

[Katelisa]

Hairdressing is good in a salon, because you can have like, 3 clients on the go at the same time!!! with nails and beauty your limited as to what you can do at once.

I think it would be hard to mix hairdressing with nails or beauty, maybe it would be good to be able to do wedding hair though.

I have a hairdressing qualification and have never used it! im definately beauty/nails orientated!

xx

 

[Katelisa]

oh, and i once took my wax pot to a friends house, and it all spilled in the boot of my car PMSL. oh my god, i have never been so annoyed, it took ages and ALOT of wax cleaner to sort it out hahaha.
xx

 

[naturalnails]

... I just think the more things I can do the better!!!

Hairdressing? Indian Head massage? Reflexology, Beauty treatments? Aromatherapy?

I'm interested in all of the above but can't obviously do it all so any advice what others have done would be great!

Not necessarily! Is it not better to become a specialist in a small area rather than be a Jack of All Trades.

 

[Jane]

I agree with Fiona here. I feel it's better to specialise in one area than to try and wear too many hats.

 

[Katelisa]

I think that it is a really good idea for a small business to offer add ons to increase profits. you can still be a nail specialist, but by offering some other (easy to master) services you can increase your profit loads.

 

[JackieMc]

For the last few years I've done just nails, but last year I added airbrush tanning and in June I'm going to train in college for my waxing diploma - my friend offers waxing and swears she gets 75% of her clients for waxing alone. Then some of the ones that come for waxing, see the other treatments she offers and book themselves in for something else.

I thought about doing the eyebrow/eyelash tinting, but after having a rather painful experience with the eyelash tinting I'm thinking twice about it!

I'd also thought about doing the Indian Head Massage Diploma but it's a bit expensive over here and I'd want to be sure I'd get a return on the money I'd spent on the training - might just leave that one!

Jackie
x

 

[sugarbabe]

I do sugaring, airbrush tanning, body wraps and training in body sugaring. I'm just about to do eyelash tinting and perming - though I am worried as I read on another thread that it can be a little stingy to say the least. And I am contemplating doing........wait for it....... manicure and pedicure.

I have to say though that since 'meeting' all you geeks, I am quite anxious about doing nails as I respect the fact that it isn't just a matter of a quick file and slap the polish on!!!! I would rather not do it at all than do a bad job, and I understand that it takes a lot of practice to master even natural nails. There is no way I would ever attempt enhancements - I definitely know my limits and would prefer to leave it to the experts! I think nail techs seem to have a calling to this particular vocation.

Respect!!!!!! xxxxxx

 

[Katelisa]

Id say that nails, tanning, eye treatments and waxing go together well because they offer an instant improvement/results.

Massage, aromatherapy, indian head massage, reflexology, reiki, etc etc go together nicely because they work on a deeper and even spiritual level.

Id agree with your friend aswell, waxing brings in alot of my clients.

You have to think about how many clients you get through your doors aswell, for example, with quicker beauty treatments you can see more clients in one day, therefor there is more 'word-of-mouth' advertising for you providing you do a good job. those clients may also book in for something different thus increasing your profits again. (please note i am very tired atm, i just hope im making sense!!)

Obviously there are pro's and cons to everything you do. I only do nails in the salon because i enjoy it so much, and i care about people receiving the best service. Its actually the service that takes longest and generates least profit for me personally.

xxxxx

 

[Hollyballoo]

I do agree that waxing is a very popular add-on service - have you tried "polling" your current clients to ask them what they would really like to see you add to your service menu?

As Fiona says, I do think you can take on too much - I think once you are talking about hairdressing, reflexology, aromatherapy etc, you are talking a whole new career - but it does depend I guess on whether you are salon-based or mobile?

I have been sitting on the fence for a while now regarding additional services and have considered going for a beauty specialist qualificiation but its difficult to fit all the study in with business as well as my evening job definitely, I think small "bite size" modules are a good way to go and build up according to demand. I love all things to do with beauty but I have to put my business head on and decide whether I will get a return on my investment of study time and money and putting my nail business almost to one side while I do it.

Good luck with what you decide - I know its hard - sometimes its like being in a sweet shop looking at the glossy beauty school brochures and all those fabulous courses and every single one seems like a really good idea to enrol on!!

 

[yogacat]

Id say that nails, tanning, eye treatments and waxing go together well because they offer an instant improvement/results.

Massage, aromatherapy, indian head massage, reflexology, reiki, etc etc go together nicely because they work on a deeper and even spiritual level.

xxxxx

I agree with this. I think it's important that you have a good "fit" between the different services you offer -
nail enhancements go well with nail art, manicure, pedicure, tanning, waxing/sugaring/other hair removal, tooth gems, teeth whitening, make-up (ie wedding make-up).
I wouldn't say that they had a good fit with, say, IHM, aromatherapy, reflexology etc - these are really holistic treatments that i think you need to have been on a long course for, and be really dedicated to.

You might consider working more with more "problem" feet by studying chiropody, there does seem to be a call for good chiropodists/podiatrists.

 

[taintz]

I am going to start a waxing course next week (I think I am anyway) Helps me to get a job when looking with others because they all want people who can wax over here.

 

[whackeykitten]

Loads of pedi clients asked about reflexology when I was working in Spa. Only one therapist did it so most of them went begging. Could be easily combined into a pedicure/reflex package too.

 

[MadAboutNails]

Hi everybody!

Thanks for all your input. I kind of thought deep down that the replies would be waxing, eyebrow tinting, makeup etc. I'm not really into the beauty side of things.....just doesn't seem me if anyone can understand what I mean! Yet I know it's the logical thing! I've got an opportunity to do hairdressing but am afraid it will absorb too much of my time and get distracted from my nails. I really feel like I'm being pulled in two directions.

At the moment I'm in limbo... was mobile but taking time to sort some training out and hoping very soon to be renting a room but it's only 2 days a week but will try and do it from home too.

 

[Katelisa]

I agree with this. I think it's important that you have a good "fit" between the different services you offer -
nail enhancements go well with nail art, manicure, pedicure, tanning, waxing/sugaring/other hair removal, tooth gems, teeth whitening, make-up (ie wedding make-up).
I wouldn't say that they had a good fit with, say, IHM, aromatherapy, reflexology etc - these are really holistic treatments that i think you need to have been on a long course for, and be really dedicated to.

You might consider working more with more "problem" feet by studying chiropody, there does seem to be a call for good chiropodists/podiatrists.

There is a chropadist at my salon. She has been established longer than i have been alive and is always fully booked!! the standards have changed now. to be a chiropadist you have to study for years and get degree i think as its now a medical profession. you can be a footcare specialist (or something like that) though. which means you can only perform some chiropody treatments on clients.

xx