Cost of becoming a mobile nail tech?

[tilly01]

Hi everyone, I'm new to this site, and the nail industry! I'm currently a Graphic Designer and about to start my second round of maternity leave and thought it would be a good time to have a new direction in my career also (some could say I'm crazy!). :lol: With 2 babies, I'll need a job which a) is creative b) I'm interesed in c) is flexible around hubby and kiddies and d) will give me some adult conversation!

Anyway, I have enrolled on an intensive course (which I start in July) and plan to spend the 9 months of my maternity leave practising on friends and family so I can get some experience behind me. In this time, I would (hopefully) build a client base and get advertising/offers out there ready for mid 2010. I may run this as part time to begin with along side my Design job, until I'm confident it can help to support our family. All sounds easy, but I'm expecting it to be very hard work!

Okay so now you know my thinking, I've been doing sooooooooooooo much research into equipment / kit / insurance costs etc, but can't seem to find a sight that will be able to give a list of what would be needed to start off on your own, and how much ££ we'd be looking at! Can anyone help with this please? I'm sure when I start the course in July, all of this information will be given, but I'm working out finances and want to know how much I'd be needing to save ready fo rnext year. Any advise is appreciated! Thanks :lol:

 

[loubylou]

Who are you training with as this will determine what kit and equipment will be needed :hug:

 

[tilly01]

Hi ya, I'm training with a company called Next Step Beauty, they're based in Norfolk and once I've passed my assessments can get insurance through BABTAC. The course covers acrylics, UV gels, fibreglass and silk, manicures, the maintenance and aftercare so quite a big kit to get me going with everything! :lol:

 

[Bev Rose]

've just checked their website & the 6 day tech course covering all the systems you mention does not appear to include any kit - in the list of their prices and courses, there is a box about whether kit is provided & it reads as 'No'. They do seem to be providing you with training stuff on the day, but no kit to bring home.
I'd give them a call and ask exactly what you will be receiving with your training by way of products.
If you have to pay the amount they are asking for this course & then buy all your kit etc etc, then IMO you pay the same for a Creative Nail course & have lots of kit to bring home & a 'nail trainer' all included in the cost of your course.
The company you are looking at uses the same images on their website as Essential Nails, so I'm assuming they are part of Essential Nails? Look at there website here....Nail Courses

 

[hannajadem]

I did exactly what you did-an intensive course attempting to teach all 3 systems in one week, plus mani and pedi. I was on maternity leave at the time.
I wouldn't say my course was a waste of time, but there's no way anyone can learn all that in 1 wk (must my opinion of course), so I just offered L+P and mani and pedi for a while, charging model rates for friends and family while still on mat leave, then converted to CND l+p, and I learnt more in that one day than I did in my original one week of training.
It is hard going, as you have to very disciplined to practice with no-one watching to tell you where you are going wrong, but if you are determined you can do it.
Now I'm mobile and offer mani/pedi, basic nail art, gel toes and L+P enhancements. It doesn't cost much to start up if you already have a car (check insurance for business use), I advertise by word of mouth only and the only money I've out into this since training is on product, uniform, a lamp and a case. I use the client's ironing board as a table, as it's the perfect width. If you plan on going on a conversion course after you've practised a bit, a lot of the big companies like CND do very good offers where you get a huge kit and the training is included in the price. hth

 

[Jessica Rabbit]

Hi doll

You willl never beable to learn all systems in 6 days. You would benefit with looking at other companys to train with and they supply kits. There is a lot of great company's out there. I trained with NSI then converted to CND but some off my clients still love NSI products. do a search to will find loads off info on here.. Good luck xx

 

[mollylolly]

Hiya

IMO it is best to learn one system and learn it well before then learning another, so on and so on.

It's taken me nearly 5 years to learn Acrylic, Gel, Fibreglass/silk and Tip & Dip, Manicure & Pedicure. I Need to know that each time I learn a new system, theat I am able to offer the best service that I can and I want to be 100% pleased with the nails I produce. (or almost)

Sometimes, too much ( i,e all systems in one go) too soon can be confusing.

Fast track learning is OK, but I think that in time you will want more, and it could end up costing more that starting your learning curve with a reputable company.

A friend of mine did a 2 days course and was given a certificate to cover alll the systems that I am qualified to do. When I asked her how many sets of Acrylic nails she did on the course, she said that they only demonstrated and that she had'nt actualy done any (Frightening). Needless to say she never made it in the Nail industry.

Another friend did a course about 7 years ago, cost over £1,000.00, but when she went to get Insurance, she was unable to as the company was unheard of in the Insurance world.

Please don't think I'm being harsh in my comments, but there are a lot of training acadamies out just to make money from those who do not know any different. My best advise would be to go with Creative, it might be a bit more costly at the time, but in the long run, you get the best training and support.

 

[tilly01]

Hi Mollylolly, thanks for the advice, no I don't think they're harsh - honesty's the best policy I say! The company I'm training with, once assessments are passed, allow me to get insurance through BABTAC. I'd heard about 'cowboy' companies so made sure I checked that out first!

I don't expect to learn EVERYTHING in the week (not with my baby brain! lol), and have been advised as a guide, you need to do about 100 sets of each type of nail before you really become competent in it. A lot of people have recommended CND for training, and it could be that I do something with them also - I can't really say how much I'll pick up I guess until I've done the course, so we'll have to wait and see on that one!

Thanks for your reply, any advise is much appreciated!

 

[tilly01]

Hi ya, thanks for your reply. I hadn't given the car insurance a thought for business use, so thanks for that! A lot of people have recommended CND which I may look at for conversion courses in the future. Cheers again!