Crossroads!

[LoveSparklesXXX]

I’m at real crossroads in my tech journey. My focus has been on building up the training and skills to start my own business providing L&P, but recently I’ve been having second thoughts and its left me a bit shuck up and confused. I’m now considering specialising in just shellac/rockstar.
But im concerned - can a business be made out of providing just this shellac?
I don’t know perhaps in my mind I don’t see it as ‘proper’ teching if there is no L&P or gels in your repertoire! I feel I need to provide one of these to take myself seriously!!! But the thing is I don’t like acrylics, I’ve never had them done professionally on myself. I love shellac!
Anyone with a shoulder to cry on!
XXX Sparkles XXX

 

[Chickafish]

I hate acrylics, too (sometimes). But unfortunately, it's not about our personal preference sometimes. You'll have to consider what services are being requested often before deciding which to boot and which to keep. If Shellac is something you love, promote it as much as possible, but keep in mind that some people are pretty set on what they came to get. Good luck, boo! <3

 

[LoveSparklesXXX]

Cheers im just worried wether shellac is enough! if you get what I mean. For the price of having acrylics&infills over the course of a month is more than shellac over same. There is sooo much you can do with shellac and I find there are less problems than with with L&P. But just my view.

Do any Geeks here just offer shellac?

 

[Perfect Pinkys]

You could specialise in natural nails. That is what I am going to do as I gave up on the business in 2003 because I was bored of L&P.

I am lucky in that I have a full time job to fall back on, but I really want to go back to doing nails full time eventually and so will be concentrating on achieving this.

If I don't get the business I will just do it part time, but I won't think I am not serious just because I don't offer enhancements ...some may but I won't :wink2:. You have to be happy in life ehh :hug:

 

[LoveSparklesXXX]

cool I total get where your coming from - like the sound of natural nail specialist XXX

 

[Perfect Pinkys]

cool I total get where your coming from - like the sound of natural nail specialist XXX

You see, you didn't need a shoulder to cry on...just a different point of view.

Cheers :biggrin:

 

[LoveSparklesXXX]

Thats given me food for thought. I think that angle would really make me stand out as a professional.........my USP.....sounds like the apprentice...Ohh can you fire yourself if your selfemployed )) lol

 

[Perfect Pinkys]

Thats given me food for thought. I think that angle would really make me stand out as a professional.........my USP.....sounds like the apprentice...Ohh can you fire yourself if your selfemployed )) lol

Yeah...and you will do time and time again. But then you will give yourself a damn good talking to, a kick up the bottom, dock your wages and you'll be best of friends again...or is that just me

 

[Beautiful You]

L&P does offer an extra level of skill, as some clients will suit it better due to their lifestyle/nail type. You can't add instant length with shellac (some people tip but I would not think it has the strength of L&P). So you will loose some opportunities and it is a shame to loose a skill, but you have to enjoy your work to make the most of it. I could argue this one both ways.

As I am part time I am with you on the natural nails and that is the way I have gone. So I am having the same dilemma - I have decided to save the pennies and go back to CND school and work towards the master nail painter. That gives me a USP (plus I am holistic therapy trained). My polish technique has suffered with constantly using shellac (speed & being able to fiddle with shellac) and because on the foundation original course you just did not have the time to learn indepth polishing. I figure the more I can produce a lovely polished nail the quicker my shellac will also get. I am wearing more and more polish to practice, though I miss my shellac.

Plus with shellac there is so much extra you can do nail art wise. Being on here and keeping up with new techniques will keep your clients more than happy I am sure. :biggrin: If your going to be a natural nail person, stay ahead of the game and strive to be the best.

 

[CazCardiff]

Im a natural nail specialist. Im not trained in any enhancements at all, I love the natural nail! Im also specialising in nail art and advertising that. Most of my clients will be coming to me for amazing, unique nail art. I
Currently doing a nail art course to get the basics but im also very very arty and can paint so Ill be handpainting nails
X

 

[happyfeet]

Hi Hun

I only do Shellac, Minx, manicures and pedicures. I have just started my business I'm doing ok. I'd say never give up on your l&p as someone has already said, not every is suited or wants Shellac, so having another string to your bow is always a good thing in my book. You will get your die hard l&p clients so I wouldn't close that door completely. L&P would also be great if you have a client with a breakage and an l&p natural overlay would help. At the moment I do fibreglass mesh for this, but l&p would be stronger.

I love natural nails, and unless I get a real call for it, other than the discount deirdre's wanting a cheap service I will stay as I am. However I would never rule it out completely. Who know's what's around the corner.

You have a skill so use it hun.

I am looking in the new year to add facials and bodywraps and exfoliation to my repertoire, so there is always scope to add other treatments down the line alongside your natural nail route if that's what you choose.

Good luck hun xxx

 

[user 54973]

I'm in the same position I guess, almost finished my Foundation L & P course and although I like it and seems to grasp it well enough, I don't love doing it, it's takes so long (for me anyway, close to 3 hours to do a set). My original plan was to do natural nails only and I too didn't feel like it would be complete or make me a ''real'' tech.

So I decided to do the L & P. I'm really glad I did because I learned a lot and I'm also more confident in my polish and Shellac application and certainly the p(r)ep has improved lots. And if I want I can now offer a repair service if people have a broken nail or missing corner or something like that.

I also hope manicure and Shellac will be enough, but looking through the boards it seems like most techs do a lot of Shellac or gel polish and even converted a fair share of enhancement clients to Shellac or gel polishes.

Try to find a specialisation, some one already mentioned nail art, or add something extra service to your manicures, maybe take extra training in some exotic massage technic or focus on nailbiters, not every nailbiter wants enhancements.

 

[LoveSparklesXXX]

Hi Hun

the discount deirdre's wanting a cheap service

Discount Deirdre's!! lol I'l use that one.....

Thanks for all your comments really apprieciated it. Ive even being thinking about throwing in the towel.
Guess when forming a business you need to think about what works for as well as clients. Think I was missing that bit out of my thinking.

 

[Perfect Pinkys]

Discount Deirdre's!! lol I'l use that one.....

Thanks for all your comments really apprieciated it. Ive even being thinking about throwing in the towel.
Guess when forming a business you need to think about what works for as well as clients. Think I was missing that bit out of my thinking.

You have to think...will I be happy doing this for 8 or 9 hours per day. If the answer is no then don't do it.

I did get a lot of job satisfaction from doing enhancements - the big smile on someone's face when they see the perfect set of nails they are going home with compared to the ones they arrived with is great. But, for me too, it is the time it takes. £ per hour I can earn more from Shellac and so that is why I am sticking with natural nails :biggrin:

 

[sophiegees]

Do what you enjoy. You will always do well with things you like - and who wants to do stuff we hate doing. It may seem a good idea at the beginning but once you start you will not be happy. Build a business with treatments you enjoy - your enjoyment will shine through and your clients will see and like this.

Good luck

xx