Branch out, or focus on one type of treatment???

['chelle]

Hi all

Well I've set the date, "The Nail Lady" commences trading as a mobile Creative Qualified nail technician as of the 1st November!!!!!

Anyway, I'm just starting out, so I will be offering a very basic service to begin with: l&p, thats it basically. However, I am very focused on developing my trade, I intend to add natural mani/pedi in the near future (soon as the certificates in my hand!) and further down the line I'd like to add nail art and other systems such as gel to my portfolio.

Anyway, I'm in the process of putting a long term business plan into place, and I was wondering whether I should consider training in skincare and/or waxing aswell? My initial instinct is to stick to nails, focus my training on these only, and (hopefully) develop a reputation over time as someone who "specialises" in nails. On the other hand, will I be offering enough services to maintain a reasonably full appointment book?

So, what do you think, how many of you offer a wide range of services? How do you find it works in a salon environment? Any advice is gratefully received, thanks!!

 

[tinkywinky]

I'd personally focus on getting your nail business established first -

Maybe once you get established you could then train in beauty therapy, I did beauty first then L & P but didn't like L & P so just focus on beauty now.

Personally I do a lot of spray tanning, this is a good area in which you don't need that much training, it is very easy to pick up - and also there is a good demand for it. A great one to have for Christmas onwards esp towards summer.

My beauty didn't get a look in compared to spray tanning over the summer. Definately a fun treatment to do and have, it's quick and easy and you get good profit from it. In terms of the effort I put into some other treatments and the profits I make, this is definately a lucrative area to be in.

 

['chelle]

I'd personally focus on getting your nail business established first -

Maybe once you get established you could then train in beauty therapy, I did beauty first then L & P but didn't like L & P so just focus on beauty now.

Personally I do a lot of spray tanning, this is a good area in which you don't need that much training, it is very easy to pick up - and also there is a good demand for it. A great one to have for Christmas onwards esp towards summer.

My beauty didn't get a look in compared to spray tanning over the summer. Definately a fun treatment to do and have, it's quick and easy and you get good profit from it. In terms of the effort I put into some other treatments and the profits I make, this is definately a lucrative area to be in.

Oh it definitely is nails only for now, I want to focus on one skill at a time and build up gradually, I was just wondering if it would be worth considering for the future

 

[woodycot]

HI, I STARTED OUT WITH AN A BOARD SAYING WALK IN APPOINTMENTS AVAILABLE, THAT LASTED 6 MONTHS, I'M FULLY BOOKED ALL THE TIME NOW, AND HAD TO TRAIN AND TAKE ON ANOTHER HELPER, GOING GREAT GUNS, NOW 2 YEARS ON, AND RUN A SUCCESFUL NAIL SALON... STICK TO NAILS, PEOPLE GET PUT OFF BY MIXIN NAILS AND BEAUTY,,,,, TRUST ME I KNOW. TALK TO MY CLIENTS ALL DAY LONG, THEY DON'T WANT THE SAME PERSON DOING A PERSONAL WAX TREATMENT, AS WELL AS DOING THERE NAILS...... NAIL TECHS ARE LIKE A HAIR DRESSER, ONCE U FIND A GOOD 1, U STICK TO THEM. WAXIN IS SLIGHTLY MORE PERSONAL. IF YOU NEED ANY HELP AND ADVISE, THEN PLEASE CONTACT ME AGAIN. I AM ABOUT TO OPEN A TRAINING CENTRE WITHIN MY SALON NOW, JUST GOES TO SHOW.... DETERMINATION GETS U EVERY WHERE !! GOOD LUCK HUN !!
ALL THE BEST
jO

 

[Beautyandme]

Hi Woodycot,

You mentioned that whilst talking to your clients, that they say, they dont want their nail tec, doing their nails as well as waxing/facials etc.

Can I ask why dont they want the two to mix?

Thanks for any info/advice that you can give.

Good luck with your training school. Sounds like you are doing very well.

 

[stoney]

Hi Michelle.

Personally i would have said stick to nails and get yourself a good reputation as a nail specialist.

Having said that, i'm about to open a Nail Salon after 5 years and I recently trained in Threading because clients kept asking if i could 'quickly just wax my eyebrows'!! I also do Fake Bake Tanning.

Its maybe just me but a nice tan kinda goes with nice nails yeh? and i've found, thats generally all my clients want to look good or for a special occasion, oh... and no facial hair, hence the threading.

But i'm known as a nail technician, and i'm proud!!! lol

Good luck x

 

[Sals]

Although I have a long way to go and a lot more training to do in nails, I'm seriously thinking of training in tanning next year. Basically because I know that mobile tanning would be extremely popular in my area. I'm not planning on doing anything other than that and nails, though.

 

[Beautyandme]

Hi Stoney, I use Fake Bake, how are you getting on with it, and what machine do you use for your spraying?

I use an Iwata Silver, but find I get alot of over spray with it.

How are you promoting Fake Bake within your salon?

cheers

 

[tinkywinky]

I think tanning is a good add on service, (great one liner is TANS AND TALONS) - one thats quick and easy. In fact I have slightly gone off beauty for the time being (done it 6 years think I am bored)

Did do acrylics for a while but didn't like them or the problems I seemed to experience, but saying that I got a lot of "can you do my eyebrows also" kind of add on request for beauty.

I liked reading the bit from the lady who said don't branch into beauty concentrate on nails, that's just as it's an industry in itself and once you get good there's no getting away from it in terms of infills, friend and family referral.

I found out that I felt I wasn't good enough to be a nail technician, as really you should concentrate on it fully and I was more into beauty and my heart wasn't in it.

Although my clients said I was good and I got lots of re-bookings, I felt worried about every set I did, seemed to get longer at producing a set etc. and decided in the end that the stress of it all wasn't worth it for me personally. But there is nothing like knocking out a great set - it makes you so proud!!

So go for it 'chelle, - it's nearly Christmas, you'll get so busy,have you started advertising your business yet?

Have you got a website? xx

 

[stoney]

Hi Stoney, I use Fake Bake, how are you getting on with it, and what machine do you use for your spraying?

I use an Iwata Silver, but find I get alot of over spray with it.

How are you promoting Fake Bake within your salon?

cheers

I don't use a spray machine, i use the cream. Personally don't like spray tans, haven't seen a good one yet. Prefer to exfoilate etc my client myself, can be sure of a good result then. I charge more obviously but people are always amazed by the results.

My salon isn't open yet, but intend to stock some of their retail range. Fake Bake has an excellent reputation, the product speaks for itself and most people have heard of it. I've found that if they can see a product/poster as soon as they walk in, before they've had time to look at your price list, they often enquire and you can sell them the treatment.

Sassy has some great advice on retail.

Hope this helps x

 

[stoney]

Hi again Michelle,

Just to elaborate a wee bit, as Tinky said, the Nail Industry is a seperate field all of its own and once you've added natural nail care to your menu, you'll have more than enough treatments to fill your book.

I used to rent space, wed-sat, and was very busy with enhancements, manicure and pedicure only, and that was in a tanning salon, so didn't do alot of tanning, they all used the machines!!

There is sooo much you can learn about nails, being it enhancements or natural nails. They industry changes constantly, just keeping on top of the lastest trends or new techniques can be very hard work and cost quite a few pennies!!

If you are passionate about nails, that's the way to go.

Good luck for 1st November, let us know how you get on. x