I didn't want to be rude, so I thought I'd introduce myself

[Jamie in France]

Dear All,

I've been looking from the outside in to the Salon Geek for a while now, but have only just signed up, so I thought I'd introduce myself. I'm Jamie; and I know nothing about the nail industry at all. My wife loves getting her nails done, but is so utterly disgusted in the standard that is available in France, that we've got a project in mind to open a small chain of nail salon's. I've got lots of ideas on how it should look, ambience and the type of service available, but I obviously lack a lot of basic information, having only had my nails done twice, my experience is limited!

I really like the idea of disposable tools for clients, and it is really an integral part of the theming. I'd like to ask your thoughts and seek some suggestions as to where (in general of course, I read the commandments) I might be able to source.

Can the courses you so frequently mention be taken by non-qualified people, i.e. could I do a course?

So many questions, but I don't want to bore you, so;

Any and all help, advice, idea's greatfully received

Jamie

 

[geeg]

Before you come up with your BIG plan I would learn a bit more about the industry. Firstly there is no reason at all to use disposable tools .. we are not performing surgery in the nail salon. Tools can be washed and disinfected and that is all that is necessary to do under 99% of circumstances.

Secondly whatever chain you open can not totally be controlled by YOU whatever you may think, your reputation lies in the hands of the people you employ or allow to work there, and it is only as good as they are.

It will take along time to get anyone to the standard you require unless you hire technicians who already know how to do nails and then train them to that standard.

What you want to do is not easy or someone would already be doing it. I'm not saying that it can't be done, but have no illusions. Soon as a disgruntled technician leaves you, you are in a pickle.

Use the best products. I would contact the Creative CND distributor in France (details available from CND - Creative Nail Design, Professional Nail, Hand and Foot Beauty Products - Artificial Acrylic Nails and Brisa Gel.) and enquire about education. Of course you can train from scratch even if you have never done nails before.

I do not mean to sound negative, but in 25 years as a distributor, I have had so many come to me with their ideas and asking for advice and quite honestly .. no one usually takes it, and none has been successful apart from 2. One of those has now gone bust after several very successful years.

I would rather have one successful salon than a chain of 3 that drive me mad with worry.

Good luck. Here are the CND French distributor's details.

France & Luxemborg Erika H.
1, Chemin de Thil
St Maurice de Beynost, France, 01700 33.472.83.73.23
www.erikah.fr

 

[Jamie in France]

Dear Gigi,

Many thanks for your reply, I certainly plan to learn a lot more about the industry before putting my house on the line, that's for sure! This site seemed like a good first stop.

I wanted to employ professional technicians as managers, and have small teams - no more than 3 in a salon. The disposable tools, as mentioned are really integral to the theme. In addition to that, I have been obviously looking at other sites and reading reviews / reports. There doesn't seem to be a downside to a certain amount of disposable tools (I'm obviously not talking about the cutters etc). I have already been in contact with CND, and they have been very helpful.

Again, thanks for your advice, very much appreciated.

Jamie

Before you come up with your BIG plan I would learn a bit more about the industry. Firstly there is no reason at all to use disposable tools .. we are not performing surgery in the nail salon. Tools can be washed and disinfected and that is all that is necessary to do under 99% of circumstances.

Secondly whatever chain you open can not totally be controlled by YOU whatever you may think, your reputation lies in the hands of the people you employ or allow to work there, and it is only as good as they are.

It will take along time to get anyone to the standard you require unless you hire technicians who already know how to do nails and then train them to that standard.

What you want to do is not easy or someone would already be doing it. I'm not saying that it can't be done, but have no illusions. Soon as a disgruntled technician leaves you, you are in a pickle.

Use the best products. I would contact the Creative CND distributor in France (details available from CND - Creative Nail Design, Professional Nail, Hand and Foot Beauty Products - Artificial Acrylic Nails and Brisa Gel.) and enquire about education. Of course you can train from scratch even if you have never done nails before.

I do not mean to sound negative, but in 25 years as a distributor, I have had so many come to me with their ideas and asking for advice and quite honestly .. no one usually takes it, and none has been successful apart from 2. One of those has now gone bust after several very successful years.

I would rather have one successful salon than a chain of 3 that drive me mad with worry.

Good luck. Here are the CND French distributor's details.

France & Luxemborg Erika H.
1, Chemin de Thil
St Maurice de Beynost, France, 01700 33.472.83.73.23
www.erikah.fr

 

[mely-bely]

You have already heard from the best, so all I will add is welcome to salongeek!

 

[Nail Delights]

Welcome from Adell you will find all you ever need to know here good luck

 

[Urban Geek]

Welcome to Geekland!

Whereabouts in France are you?

 

[Jamie in France]

Many thanks all, for your kind welcome!!

Urban Geek, at present I'm just outside Paris, about 15 miles, but Paris is probably going to be the the last stop on my planned French invasion, it's way too big and I'd prefer to have a more green field, big fish in a little pond approach!

Where are you?

Jamie

Welcome to Geekland!

Whereabouts in France are you?

 

[Chameleon]

What dept are you in 75,78,or 91-95?

Shame you are not based in the Langue d'oc or poitu charente areas,these areas lack good CND nail techs that are needed!

Welcome to salon geek,this is a very invaluable site so i would take heed of the advice given,there are some very big names in the industry that frequent here,and have so much knowledge.:hug:

 

[Jamie in France]

Hi BeautyGuru,

Thanks for the message, the more I read in The Nail Geek, the more I realize that there are many things I have to learn, but also many knowlegible people out there. I'm in the 91, just south of Evry. Where are you?

Does anyone have any ideas on where I can source the disposable tools? As I mentioned, it is an integral part of the theme of the brand as well as an important part of the revenue stream. I'd be grateful for any suggestions.

Many thanks
Jamie

What dept are you in 75,78,or 91-95?

Shame you are not based in the Langue d'oc or poitu charente areas,these areas lack good CND nail techs that are needed!

Welcome to salon geek,this is a very invaluable site so i would take heed of the advice given,there are some very big names in the industry that frequent here,and have so much knowledge.:hug:

 

[Anna Lee]

The thing is, Jamie, that the best tools are not disposable.
You may find it difficult to locate any because they are not used in the industry.

Tools are extremely important to a nail tech. We guard them with our lives. It is a bit like a highly competent hair stylist not being able to cut hair correctly without using his/her own scissors.

Tools are an expensive investment, but if you get the right tools from the start and look after them well, then they will last a very long time.

Take for example the cuticle nippers. If the cuticle nippers are not of high quality, then instead of giving you a sharp clean cut, it will 'rip' the skin off the client and cause bleeding. Something I believe you are not wanting to introduce in your theory of high standard salons which you hope to open.

 

[Jamie in France]

Dear Anna,

Many thanks for this explanation. I totally understand that the ripping of a clients skin, is not exactly good for business. Surely however, there could some items that could be disposable? Files, pushers etc. I am really sorry to labour the point, but having sealed packs of supplies for each client as they come in, is really integral to my theme.

If you can think of anything that could be disposable, I'd appreciate it.

Thanks in advance.

Jamie

The thing is, Jamie, that the best tools are not disposable.
You may find it difficult to locate any because they are not used in the industry.

Tools are extremely important to a nail tech. We guard them with our lives. It is a bit like a highly competent hair stylist not being able to cut hair correctly without using his/her own scissors.

Tools are an expensive investment, but if you get the right tools from the start and look after them well, then they will last a very long time.

Take for example the cuticle nippers. If the cuticle nippers are not of high quality, then instead of giving you a sharp clean cut, it will 'rip' the skin off the client and cause bleeding. Something I believe you are not wanting to introduce in your theory of high standard salons which you hope to open.

 

[geeg]

The only things I know that are disposable are files and why on earth would you need to do that as it is totally unnecessary ... plastic cuticle pushers may be disposable, but they don't work and are useless.

To me (sorry) the whole idea of the disposable thing is WAY over the top and gives out totally the wrong signals to clients. Don't know why you are so set on it. I've never had a client ask for it, want it, expect it or need it. Clients are always been more than impressed with highly visible hygienic practices in the salon.

If I were a client paying for the salon to throw away things every time I had an appointment I'd look elsewhere.

I know you keep saying its integral to your theme, but maybe you should moderate the theme a bit.

 

[NoLimitNails]

The only thing I can think about, so you wouldn't have to throw out every time, is to keep individual files for each client.

I know one or two who does that, but only with files as it would cost too much with other implements (as you can't go cheap with those).They have small boxes/bags with the clients name on it. Of course there would then be the problems with storing them etc... (you could give them to the client instead)

I thought about it too for a while, but after learning from here, from my tutors and from Doug Schoons book, I wouldn't bother. I now brush my files with a nail brush and spray them with sanitiser spray. My clients are much happy with that.

If you really are keen on having to throw things away, then use papertowels etc.

 

[Jamie in France]

Many thanks all,

Gigi, further to your comments, it looks like I am going to have to re-think a bit. I'm obviously looking at it from a business point of view, rather than from an asthetic point of view.

I'm sure I'll be back with more questions!

Thanks again.

Jamie

 

[bellabeautie]

I do agree with everybody else on the disposable front..... you are not going to get the best tools.... invest in some great tools and use known disinfectant brand (I use Mundo) and display this if you want. The only thing I know of is disposable files (like someone else said, plastic cuticle pusher - they arent very good though and wont do a thorough job) I used to use dipsoable files in college when we were learning Fibreglass, they are called Septifiles. The handle is plastic, and then you attach whichever grit you want, when youve finished, you peel the grit off (sticky backed plastic type) then apply a new grit (ok, I am not explaining this very well! lol) You can buy them from Backstrachers though, but Im not sure if you would be allowed as you havent been trained with them. They are ok files, I used to really like them, but then once I started using Creative files - I realise they are no where near as good!
Sorry to ramble on, and welcome to SalonGeek btw! xx

 

[mercedes69]

I could be wrong but it seems to me you want to use disposable instruments as your USP..????
Marketing it along the lines of ''The only nail salon chain who uses disposable instruments'' ????

Like I say I say I could be wrong :lol: but it was the impression I got from you when you keep mentioning it is integral to your theme.

I'm not being critical by the way...but it does seem to be something you are latching onto without really knowing the business so to speak.

Hygiene is crucial obviously...but like has been mentioned in other posts there is no need to throw stuff away after each client

If there isn't much in the way of a high standard of nail salons in France ( or more specifically in your area ) then your USP will be making sure you have top notch technicians using a top notch brand!

I do think you should go on a course yourself first and foremost...get yourself acquainted with 'nails' on a personal level and take it from there xxxx