Advice needed..

[Anna F]

Hi, wonder if you can help.. I'm not a nail technician (yet..) But I'm seriously thinking about taking the creative evening course, with the idea, of perhaps starting a mobile business in the future..

Can you tell me if I'm doing the right thing . I'm asking, purely because I have no experience in the beauty industry, but I'd love to give it a go - but how difficult is it? Am I out of my depth here??? How do you know when you're ready to call yourself a 'Nail Technician'??

I'm sure I could get these answers from the Creative team, but I'd love to hear some first hand experiences from anyone out there, who's been in a similar situation, just on the edge of taking the plunge :|

 

[~bec~]

Hows that saying go.... "you never never know if you never never go"

The worst that could happen is, you have outlayed money to do your training and acquire your products and you give it a go and decide you dont want to do it, wich means you can do yours, your friends and your families nails for the rest of your life!!!!

I have been a mobile tech for only a short time now, im also in a salon a few days a week (this happened just recently). I feel more comfortable doing peoples nails in the salon rather than mobile. But mobile is great for those client you really love, and can spend a little more time with, it becomes a bit like a social visit. he he

Im from Australia and we call ourselves nail techs when we have done a manicure/pedicure course or nail technology certificate. Of course, what services you can provide are limited. But then you can build on that by doing acrylics/gel/nail art courses etc.

Hope this helps,

Best wishes

 

[BeachBabe]

I think the problem when most people start out (myself included) is that you become a little naive thinking that you can do a course, practice a bit and then off you go in to the big wide nail tech world. In reality you need to do TONS of practice and depending on what course you do (several geeks have had this problem) you could even find yourself having to pay for another course as you don't feel you've covered enough.My advice to you is to research the courses carefully (searching on here would be good) and don't kid yourself into thinking it'll be quick and easy money

!!!
The other nail techs will tell you that it can be damn hard work but worth every minute.

On a more positive note I think you will thoroughly enjoy your training and your career as a nail tech and I wish you every success in your new venture.

 

[fab nails]

As a serial nail biter all my life, I couldn't even shape a nail, so I a few major concerns myself when I set out on this adventure!! My advice is to take the plunge, once your hooked there's no going back!! I have been a tech for nearly three years now and only considered myself a true techie when I passed my masters..........you can never learn enough!!

 

[izzidoll]

Hi, We have all had these doubts! I started very nervously & slowly, but from the first I knew I loved creating nails. It is a brill job & has a lot of job satisfaction (nail biter to gorgeous nails in 1-1/2 hrs) BUT it is hard hard work to make a living from it. I was told and still believe ,and tell students, you are not a nail technician until you have done 80-100 sets of nails. So working part-time or mobile it can take a while. But after you have done that amount you really should have encountered every type of nail shape & problem. Of course you have to have the attitude that you are only as good as your last set of nails and want to improve with every set you do. I still do. I am a bit biased being a CND Educator but what the hey it is the best training...so go for it and Good Luck.

 

[Cutey Cools]

Go for it! I worked in an office for 17 years, got made redundant last Nov and signed up for a Creative Course immediatley!

I did however, think after the three day course I would be a fully fledged Nail Tech... how wrong I was! The pro's just make it look SO easy! I was trained by Pamela Rohlf at the Maidenhead Academy and she was brill.

I practiced on all the friends I possibly could and then got a job in a Salon. Whilst on my course, a fellow student said to me "get into a salon, and make all your mistakes in somebody elses time". Makes sense!

I have never looked back, I eat, drink and sleep nails! Now I am thinking of going into Airbrushing, Waxing and Tanning - I've got the bug!

Good Luck
x

 

[tina1127]

Im exactly the same! I decided to do my nail course after thinking about it long and hard. Im not really happy in my current job so this is going to be my new direction (after lots of practice!) My course starts on Monday and I cant wait to get stuck in.


Go for it!!

Tina xxx

 

[Welsh Geek]

Whilst on my course, a fellow student said to me "get into a salon, and make all your mistakes in somebody elses time". Makes sense!

Sadly, this is the kind of advice that makes it difficult for salons to trust new employees........ You spend a lot of time and money gettinf new employees to a good level of work then they decide to leave taking some of your clients with them!!

It's a shame when new technicians/beauticians are trained that they are not taught anything about loyalty! I am sad to say I have spent a lot of time and energy, usually making a large loss initially on helping new staff. Yet as soon as they find their feet, they are off.

Please think of this, before going into a salon...... If the person running your local salon has the decency to offer you a post after qualifying, at least have the courtesy to be honest about the fact that you wish to work for yourself!!!!

I'll stop ranting on now!!! and wish you luck in learning a fabulous new skill!

 

[geeg]

Can you tell me if I'm doing the right thing . I'm asking, purely because I have no experience in the beauty industry, but I'd love to give it a go - but how difficult is it? Am I out of my depth here??? How do you know when you're ready to call yourself a 'Nail Technician'??

I'm sure I could get these answers from the Creative team, but I'd love to hear some first hand experiences from anyone out there, who's been in a similar situation, just on the edge of taking the plunge :|

Well you've made the first good move, by taking a Creative Class but take my advice and finish your training all the way. Don't stop after a Foundation Course and think you are there. To finish the whole Creative course will take approximately 1 year.

Is it easy? For some yes and for some definitely not. If you are already an artistic person then the mechanics could prove easier for you BUT... there's always a but ....

There is more to being a great nail technician than just being able to turn out good nails (although this is very important). Here are a few thing to think about.

:!: Doing nails is not for the timid personality or the faint hearted ... you need to be able to be strong and firm with people.

:!: Doing nails needs a person with an empathetic nature, one who cares for and about people.

:!: Doing nails is a business, and a good business head is essential if you want to be financially successful.

:!: Doing nails requires self sacrifice and a vocational attitude as you need to be there when and if your clients want you. Staying in late and going in early etc.

:!: Doing nails is not a fun little hobby ... it is a profession and should not be done by amateurs but only by professionals in the true sense of the word (look it up in the dictionary ... interesting).

:!: Doing nails requires a great sense of responsibility. We work on people's bodies. They trust us to work safely and to nurture and care for their natural nails while they are wearing nail enhancements.

:!: Doing nails requires integrity (as should everything) and good business ethics. Business ethics is something allot of newbie technicians know nothing about in the UK ... thinking they can use someone Else's good will ... work in a salon and then leave trying to poach business from the very salon that hired them and helped them in the first place.

:!: Doing nails is one of the greatest most fun and rewarding and satisfying businesses in the world. Enjoy your learning but realize that the learning process never stops ... you will know when you are ready because you will feel confident to make that start.

 

[Anna F]

Many thanks for all your responses.. You have certainly given me food for thought! I think initially I should just work on friends & family to build up my confidence, and see how I go from there!!

Nothing ventured - nothing gained..

Again, thanks for all your advice on this..

A less confused Anna
x

 

[Welsh Geek]

Wow...... well said. I Could never have said it better, Gigi !!!!
And if you take all this on board Anna, you will do well!!

Sue x

 

[Anna F]

I certainly have taken it all on board, and I'm going to visit the Creative Academy tonight, with a list of questions, and take it from there!!

 

[sortedcres]

Being mobile is a fantastic rewarding experience (though my husband doesn't think so). Your constantly on the move doing work for a variety of diffrent people, at a varitey of diffrent places you'll never be bored.

My freelance work has taken me all over Leeds, i've worked at:
Leeds Carnival
Chapeltown Playschemes
White Rose centre
and next i'm going to harrogate for the Yorkshire Brides Show (the big one!!).
I'm doing diffrent events all the time, be it nails at private houses basically anywhere i can get work I take it.
I love my job and wouldn't change it for the world, freelancing is hard work but extremley rewarding and addictive, which ever nail apth you take i hope you love it as much as i do.
cres

 

[talented talons]

i don't think i could add a great deal more to what's already been said, but i will wish you luck in your new chosen vocation. I have only been "qualified" since March of this year so still building my business up. i am going to do more training beginning of next year and plan to keep going untill i know alot more than i do now. Just make sure you always try new things, keep up to date with your training and be the best you can possibly be.

Never think you know it all, always try to learn as much as you can, and aspire to learn something new all the time. Good luck.