Ive Given Up

[Penny Vintage]

I know this is abit random but Im wondering if anyone else has gone through this and actually ended up getting a nail tech job afterwards?
I qualified to be a nail technician in manicure, fibreglass and silk, gel and acrylics nearly a year ago. And I have had a constant struggles getting anywhere. I was looking for salon jobs for quite a few months and had no luck, either they want experience (thats why i didnt get past the interview stage) or I cant even find salons that need nail technicians. So I decided to go and be mobile, I did leaflets, I got 3 or 4 free advertisments in papers or on the net and all I got out of it is a load of cold calls from service providers etc.
I was practising on my friend but shes a bad nail biter so they only last a few days. I did them on my own and they last until I need infills. But other than that Ive not had any practise or a chance to do any of it and have just given up. I couldnt wait with no wages so I now work in a DIY store which I detest. Ive looked at apprentiships but theres none either..
I cant do what I love
Has anyone else had this problem?

 

[An*Gel]

It's catch 22 itsn't it?... you want a job to get experience, but you need experience to get a job!

When I started out, I just went for it and rented a room in a large 10 treatment room Beauty Salon, I had to all but go out looking for the clients as they weren't going to come to me.

I did as many peoples nails for free as I could and picked people that worked with the public, like checkout operators, bank clerks etc..

I gave away gift vouchers as prizes in raffles, I went to fashion shows and left one of my leaflets on every chair (and spent most of the night picking them off the floor :cry

I went to wedding fares and did free files and paints and went into every shop, bank, jewelry shop etc in my town and left a leaflet and asked the owner if she'd like her nails done for free as a thank you.

It was bloody hard work I can tell you and I worked my bum off!!

Eventually the clients started to come and they would tell a friend, who would tell a friend....

I ended up buying the Beauty Salon myself and was very successful.

I sold up after having a baby and worked in a Hair Salon and just rented a space and I was never as busy!!

I would try to rent a space somewhere if I were you. Either in a Hair Salon or anywhere really, I mean, you don't need a lot of space do you?

Like anything in life.... if you want something bad enough, you'll get it, but you'll have to work for it .. the clients won't just come to you... you've got to get yourself out there!! :hug:

 

[lauramakeupart]

what a nice story Karen, good idea to do lots of free treatments. I think I will try that! xx

 

[An*Gel]

what a nice story Karen, good idea to do lots of free treatments. I think I will try that! xx

Awh thanks for that... I got a bit carried away there with my life story :o

 

[VikkiNails]

Wow, Karen has hit the nail on the head there (excuse the pun!)

I did so many free sets when i started out, Hairdressers are great to do! Just tell them for every 2,3,5....whatever clients they get for you they get a free treatment with you.

All my best friends are hairdressers so this worked a treat!

good luck and dont give up!! xx

 

[lauramakeupart]

Awh thanks for that... I got a bit carried away there with my life story :o

lol, no it's a total inspiration! xx

 

[Penny Vintage]

Thank You An*Gel, some good advice there, It means alot.
The thing thats holding me back at the moment is confidence. Having no luck and no experience for ages has just made me like this.
I think half the reason Ive had so much trouble is because Im in a area where Everyone is doing nails. We have 2 or 3 nail salons on every row of shops. And they all seem to recruit from there own friends or family. Theres so so many mobile nail techs also. Ive had family hand out a load of my business cards also, but nothing. Ive done CV drops in salons and of course looked at there prices and my god there so cheap, Ive seen £10 for a set of acrylics and tips alot, or £12 for a set of gels and tips. I just cant go that low if Im mobile... So Im always going to be seen as expensive :cry: I think this area has been flooded with nail techs.
I dont want to give up because I love this so much. I was so happy when doing nails.

 

[An*Gel]

It's so annoying when there are that many Nail Techs in the one area, all trying to out do one another with prices!:irked:

The very first thing I was thought as a newbie was to never worry about what everyone else is doing... hard I know, but the thing is, I can't compete with the likes of those nail techs that charge ridiculous prices for nails... so I don't!

I'm the most expensive Nail Tech in my town and I don't care, I still get the clients.

When I read your thread, I knew you were lacking in confidence... I had zero confidence too, but I just put on a great act and before you know it, you're not acting anymore!

Get more training... it's a great way to build your confidence, although I'm sure you're afraid to spend more money, but if you love nails, then it won't be a waste.

There may be lots of Nail Techs out there, but are they good Nail techs?... maybe not, so don't worry about them and what they're doing.

You have to be patient and it will take time to build up a clientele, but clients, once you have them, will stay loyal to you and will tell a friend.

Maybe just go that extra mile and give them a free toe paint when they have their enhancements done ... it's small things like that, that will make your client happy and it costs you nothing, but a few minutes of your time.

Keep your chin up and remember, we've all been where you are... you can do it if you really want it bad enough! :hug:

 

[VikkiNails]

There may be lots of Nail Techs out there, but are they good Nail techs?... maybe not, so don't worry about them and what they're doing.

This is one of may favourite sayings! I say this all the time!

I am also an 'Essex Tech' and i know the feeling! Nail bars on every corner! I even got handed a flyer in the high street for a full set for £10!

There Is a salon In my town that does FULL mani's and pedis for ......wait for it.......£4.50!!!!!!! I have spoken with a girl who went there for 'a laugh' and said it was grim!

Most people will realise that with quality comes a little more expense.

Yes, you will always get the clients that want a full set for £1 and couldnt care less about the cheap products being used or the damage that is being caused by the tech, bashing out sets in what seems like 10 minutes, but dont concern yourself with that.

Focus on promoting yourself as giving a top class treatment to your clients, always going the extra mile for them, and using great products.

Honestly, You CAN build up a client base but dont drop your standards to do so!

Keep your chin up! You can do it!! xx

 

[angelina221]

You could always try salon guinea pig to find people willing to let you practice on them.
I agree with Angel-don't worry what others are charging. You charge what you are worth.
It takes time to get started but you'll get there if you're determined :hug:

Salon Guinea Pig - Find models for practising hair, beauty and nails treatments, college courses, training courses, competitions, etc.

 

[nailzoo]

You have to weigh up whats going on with you, your life and your finances.

As per i'm gonna go out on a limb here, i'm not gonna stroke your ego, pander to what you want to hear, nor am I gonna put you down.

It's time to be realistic, stop wasting time and decide what you want to do.

Get a bit of paper, draw a line down the middle.

List positives on one side, then list negatives on the other.

Think about it , then make decisions, not doing something is not a failure (it's often just an educated decision).

Giving up something can be a positive experience.

If you are not gaining anything from it .... dump it .... why persist?

There's no point being "peace love and mung beans" if you are bloody starving for something more, move on to something more rewarding.

Something that makes you happy and will give you results faster than you are already getting.

Good luck, whatever you decide.

 

[aug2052]

Keep working at it!!!! Dont give up......if you want it bad enough go grt it girl!!!!! GOOD LUCK!!!!

 

[Penny Vintage]

Thank You everyone for your support and advice. I am in a situation where I need to get moving with something because of my home situation. I have thought about getting part time work and trying one more time, and I will go all out with the nails. So atleast I will have a wage to cover my bills and I know I havent given up lightly. I will do free treatments and even if I get just a few, atleast it gives me hope for the future.
Thank You everyone!
I will blog with what is happening.

 

[Purple_Fairy]

Brilliant thread and really hits home with me as well. I have just started renting a room at my friends salon after deciding to "bite the bullet".

I to have confidence issues as I lack experience but continue my training whenever possible.

If you can rent a room within a salon where they don't do nails already or team up with a few others who 'specialise' in other treatments maybe you could share the burden of renting somwhere with them, and you get to meet their clients