Lots of nail bars closing down - worried !

[River]

I have seen so many new Technicians start to rent a space, but if you want to book you are being told sorry she ain't here today, because she had no bookings.... what's that all about???? I wonder if Mr. Woolworth made his first million with this sort of business attitude lol....

So many new Technicians see our profession as the goose that will lay the golden egg as soon as they have passed the first course

Ruth,

I couldn't agree with you more on the above statement. Many moons ago when I was still looking for a nail technician that I was happy with, I would sometimes call a salon to try and make an appointment and they would say "Sorry, she won't be in until X day or she doesn't work during the week, she'll only be here on the weekend or whatever" which never sounded good.

When you tried asking any more probing questions like what system or product they used, or heaven forbid, if you could make an appointment, the answer would always be "We don't know and you'll have to talk to her when she is back in again and no, we cant make an appointment for you, you'll have to speak to her".

Now I realise that the "unprofessionalism" wasn't necessarily the nail tech's fault, but how can you even think of running a successful business, if you let people like that handle your calls for you !! Every single time I encountered the above, I totally lost interest in them and went somewhere else. They might have been the best tech in the world, but because of the way I was handled on the phone, I couldn't care less.


River

 

[Kim Lawless]

It's lovely to see so many of the 'pro Geeks' taking part in a good debate! There have been so many of the 'my tips cost me £1.50 more, where can I get them cheaper' and 'should I spend £300 on a course when I can get one for £250' brigade lately.

.

Yeah, I know where you're coming from but not everyone can afford to pay that bit extra for good quality products and training..............even thought they's like to. I guess it's like somebody from Gucci saying 'How can they shop at Primark when the quality is so bad.' Of course we all know that but sometimes you have to go with what you can afford.

 

[margot]

I have just moved from one salon where the girl who's salon it was does fantastic nails and was busy 9 til 7 every day, but she opened up a salon, fitted it all out beautifully, rented a room out to an excellent Beauty therapist and what should have been a recipe for success was just a recipe for disaster. The girl was good at her trade, but had no concept of excellent customer service, no business head on her shoulders and she was still spending money like water socially instead of making the sacrifices myself and the beauty therapist were, as we were also just new to being self employed.

Geeg is spot on! being excellent at your job will give you good results and a good income, but running a salon is not about just being good at doing a set of nails, you have to be good at the whole package ie. customer care, staff managment, balancing the books etc. etc. While most of us gain this through general life experiences my friend perfected her trade but not her other essential skills. My friends business will be closing at the end of the month with a huge loss, she was only open for 11 months, she worked hard long hours on nails but not on any other area of the business and she has payed the price.

We all have to take a chance and a risk - but it has to be a calculated risk and a well thought out chance as personal debt is a big price to pay for a bad thought out idea.

 

[Cathie!]

I have been reading this thread with great interest as I myself have just opened a new salon....now in our 5th week, it's only a small shop, but as the weeks are progressing our book is getting fuller and fuller and I am happy to say that much of the new business is by referral.

I see myself as a good nail tech, with a great attitude to customer service and a good business head on my shoulders, I know it's only early days so I'm keeping my belt tight.

I don't try and save pennies, which is only at the end of the service, pennies (if you break it down per service), in using cheaper products, I choose to use the products that work for me, even if they do cost a little more, but give me the longevity of service that I have always craved.

And, I will continue with my education, not because I will have a new diploma on my wall.....I don't have them on the wall, it would spoil the line of the salon lol, but because I seek to continually improve my skills (ok if you're a natural born nail tech maybe you don't have to), my service to my clents and ultimately, the money in my wallet...

 

[Laydee Danielle]

I have been reading this thread with great interest as I myself have just opened a new salon....now in our 5th week, it's only a small shop, but as the weeks are progressing our book is getting fuller and fuller and I am happy to say that much of the new business is by referral.

I see myself as a good nail tech, with a great attitude to customer service and a good business head on my shoulders, I know it's only early days so I'm keeping my belt tight.

I don't try and save pennies, which is only at the end of the service, pennies (if you break it down per service), in using cheaper products, I choose to use the products that work for me, even if they do cost a little more, but give me the longevity of service that I have always craved.

And, I will continue with my education, not because I will have a new diploma on my wall.....I don't have them on the wall, it would spoil the line of the salon lol, but because I seek to continually improve my skills (ok if you're a natural born nail tech maybe you don't have to), my service to my clents and ultimately, the money in my wallet...

very well said hun

 

[Cathie!]

Something else I just thought of, we should maybe encouraging disheartened techs to be practicing more and reading threads on sites like this, maybe not just doing more courses...after all, we only get better with practice....how long did it take peeps here to get good at their trade? An apprenticeship in the old way of things like carpentry or to become an electrician takes two years and that's how long I would say it took me to get to a decent standard in nails.

 

[lovenails1]

I have always believed that the Training Schools have alot to answer for. They teach nails and that's it most of the time. In Australia, many courses run for approx. 2 weeks or less and the person comes out with a Diploma saying they are Qualified. These courses dont teach anything about Business, Service Skills, Business Plans etc, only nails.

Its a shame because alot of girls save hard to afford the course only to feel they have nothing out of it when they cant earn their money back within a reasonable amount of time.

Also, I found the comment about the "housewives" a little degrading. I am a single mum who works from home. Am I a hobbyist? I have a designated room for my salon/office, I sanitize, I treat customers with respect and professionalims, I use quality products, I have a business background, I produce excellant beautiful nails, I work whenever the customer needs me, (not when I can fit it around kids!). I am certainly not "bringing the industry down", I am EXACTLY the same as the girl in the Salon, only it is in my home.

Sometimes I notice alot of generalisation on here, eg, Anyone who uses an E-File MUST be using MMA...All housewives who work at home are hobbyist and dont take the business seriously...Techs who use White Tips are obviously not as skilled as others...these sorts of things arent always true.

PS.. dont mind me, Im grumpy today and a little fed up. :sad:

 

[e_lucy]

Also, I found the comment about the "housewives" a little degrading. I am a single mum who works from home. Am I a hobbyist? I have a designated room for my salon/office, I sanitize, I treat customers with respect and professionalims, I use quality products, I have a business background, I produce excellant beautiful nails, I work whenever the customer needs me, (not when I can fit it around kids!). I am certainly not "bringing the industry down", I am EXACTLY the same as the girl in the Salon, only it is in my home.

Sometimes I notice alot of generalisation on here, eg, Anyone who uses an E-File MUST be using MMA...All housewives who work at home are hobbyist and dont take the business seriously...Techs who use White Tips are obviously not as skilled as others...these sorts of things arent always true.
PS.. dont mind me, Im grumpy today and a little fed up. :sad:

First of all do I get an award for starting this post ? Lol ive watched it FLY over the last 3 days, i couldnt have wished for a better response - so thank you to you all for your debate.

However I have to agree with lovenails1 comment about finding the passe referrals to "housewives" and "hobbists" quiet offensive. I work full time in a crappy office, i have a degree in history and where has my degree got me- no where, a piece of paper, and memories of too many drunken student nights out, i have rent to pay and mouths to feed however my dream is to have a career in nails, it always has been but my parents are pushy and there was no way they were going to let me do beauty therapy at 16 even though that is what i wanted to do so i took the academic route. i spend every spare penny on training, begging and borrowing models, going to every show/showcase I can and drinking up any tips and knowledge I can. I am passionate and I want to be the best, this is something that has been lying dormant inside me since I was in my early teens. At the moment I CANNOT work in a salon, or spend full time studying because i Cant afford it - i dont feel I will be able TO afford to "Live my dream" for many years to come. However, I am trying, and will continue trying to get there. Seeing comments suggesting people are "bored housewives" or "hobbiests" is very very upsetting. Does that make me one of those - someone obviously less respected in this community just because i CANNOT AFFORD to follow my dream and work in a salon. Salon wages are horrendous whereas I can earn 25K in an office and be miserable - sorry if this all doesnt make much sense, guess its just been a bad day at work ...

I still love you all ! L x

 

[Bagpuss]

Also, I found the comment about the "housewives" a little degrading. I am a single mum who works from home. Am I a hobbyist? I have a designated room for my salon/office, I sanitize, I treat customers with respect and professionalims, I use quality products, I have a business background, I produce excellant beautiful nails, I work whenever the customer needs me, (not when I can fit it around kids!). I am certainly not "bringing the industry down", I am EXACTLY the same as the girl in the Salon, only it is in my home.

No my darlin you are not, any more than I am or any of the other many professional people, not just nail techs, who CHOOSE to work from home. I don't want massive overheads to make each month and i don't fancy the idea of handing over half of my hard earned cash to a salon owner either....its my choice, my prerogative and as long as i continue to be happy, earn a decent living and please my clients i will continue to do so. xxxx

 

[ValencianNails]

Also about proffessionalism... If I use an analogue (?)... Would you think a doctor who had his practice in a "shed in the garden" or a room "beside" his sleepingroom/kitchen/hall etc... in his own house was proffessional? Would you prefere to go to him/her or a doctor who had an office?

we're not talking invasive treatments or surgery though are we?
a doctor and a nail technician/therapist are completely different.

NOT everyone is able to have a salon of their own, so they try to run their business from home or mobile to the best of their ability, just because they don't have a salon DOES NOT make them unprofessional.

 

[Nailsinlondon1]

Well working from home does not mean you are not a professional.......
Conducting yourself in a professional manner is the key I feel....
How many Salons look professional but conduct themself in a very unprofessional way..???...
My Solicitor works from home and has her offices there , my Accountant works from home and he is very professional and my Harley Street Specialist works from his home too.....

 

[Kim Lawless]

If all mobile and home based techs referred to themselves as FREELANCE, I think they would lose the stigma. It would make people value you more, and quite rightly so too. xxx

 

[bling nails]

interesting thread...have not been on site for days, apart from checking my PM's.
i have been in this industry for 12+ years and seen it come a long way.....meaning it has grown into a massive industry. better training..better products..and..better technicians. i have worked in and managed quite a few salons in my area....this giving me the experience on how a salon should be run. some owners of salons want quantity and not quality....buy cheap products and expect to pay cheap wages....this i think, discorages nail tech's work. many i worked with won't stay over 5pm to fix a repair for their clients and i think clients pick up on this, hence they will go esle where. i have worked in salons for a minium wage and charged £40 for full sets which goes in salon owners tills.....my attitude was to produce the best set of nails, client after client after client....gaining my experience and bettering my skills. i would work over to get customers in, building my client base....but i loved it and still do.
after leaving the last 2 salons i managed, (reasons being bosses back stabbing me), i decided to go mobile and self- employed. it was a frightening time and i took the plunge. i had to start from scratch again..building up clientelle. still in my local areas i advertised in local shop windows, but i found that word of mouth was the best advert. it soon got round that i was mobile and my regular salon clients started to call for booking. i couldn't cope with mobile..there wasn't enough hours in the day to cope with appointments, so i decided to rent a small room in the next local village 3 miles away. again clients were flooding back even more now i was set at a base.
that was 3 years ago...and after 1 year of renting a room, i now have my salon. That was my goal, and i have acheived it, but it been bloody hard work and still is. you have to put your all into it. my relationship suffered big time, and my kids never saw me and when they did, half the time i was a bear with a sore head. its now been worth it and my kids (now teenagers) can see that if you put your mind to anything, you can achieve it.

i laugh when some of my clients ask me about training to do nails...they say it must be lovely to work in this industry and would love to do it and how long would training be till they were fully qualified....my answer..any one can qualify..its having the passion, determination and dedication to survive in the industry. thats what ive learnt.

 

[kay welch]

interesting thread...have not been on site for days, apart from checking my PM's.
i have been in this industry for 12+ years and seen it come a long way.....meaning it has grown into a massive industry. better training..better products..and..better technicians. i have worked in and managed quite a few salons in my area....this giving me the experience on how a salon should be run. some owners of salons want quantity and not quality....buy cheap products and expect to pay cheap wages....this i think, discorages nail tech's work. many i worked with won't stay over 5pm to fix a repair for their clients and i think clients pick up on this, hence they will go esle where. i have worked in salons for a minium wage and charged £40 for full sets which goes in salon owners tills.....my attitude was to produce the best set of nails, client after client after client....gaining my experience and bettering my skills. i would work over to get customers in, building my client base....but i loved it and still do.
after leaving the last 2 salons i managed, (reasons being bosses back stabbing me), i decided to go mobile and self- employed. it was a frightening time and i took the plunge. i had to start from scratch again..building up clientelle. still in my local areas i advertised in local shop windows, but i found that word of mouth was the best advert. it soon got round that i was mobile and my regular salon clients started to call for booking. i couldn't cope with mobile..there wasn't enough hours in the day to cope with appointments, so i decided to rent a small room in the next local village 3 miles away. again clients were flooding back even more now i was set at a base.
that was 3 years ago...and after 1 year of renting a room, i now have my salon. That was my goal, and i have acheived it, but it been bloody hard work and still is. you have to put your all into it. my relationship suffered big time, and my kids never saw me and when they did, half the time i was a bear with a sore head. its now been worth it and my kids (now teenagers) can see that if you put your mind to anything, you can achieve it.

i laugh when some of my clients ask me about training to do nails...they say it must be lovely to work in this industry and would love to do it and how long would training be till they were fully qualified....my answer..any one can qualify..its having the passion, determination and dedication to survive in the industry. thats what ive learnt.

you are so right

 

[Nailsinlondon1]

My Accountant was picked from the yellow pages, my solicitor was recommended to me and the hospital recommended the specialist.....

Getting customers into a salon might be easier, as it is there standing out large as life, cant really miss a shop front with Nail Salon written all over it, but keeping them is the keyword, getting them to come back is another story.. Thats where professionalism and great work sort out the good from the not so good.....in all cases word of mouth is still number one for building and maintaining a good business......

Mobile, Freelance and Home Salons have to adapt their advertising and business strategies accordingly.....and I take my hat off to the ones that build a fab business from Home or slogging it out in all weathers, packing their stuff into their little cars day after day.....the ones, that after a lot of ups and downs and time spend, will make a good living are the ones that slog it out, the ones that run their little Mobile or Home empire the same way as any fab Salon would...The ones that have identified the gap for Comsumers needs and fullfill it with a professional attitude and fantastic nail skills.....

If I was to choose say a Nail Technician and had never been before, I would ask my friends,feedback, recommendation aso...Now I wouldn't care if this recommended Nail Technician worked out of a card board box... If her nails rocked big time, I would be sitting in her card board box having my nails done.....
Building a great reputation is more important than the her location ...
But Location is more important to a Salon, it is static and if you dont have the right spot then that can cause you no ends of sleepless nights too.....

 

[ariaaland]

my take on the issue is this.. the bottom line is that being a successful nail tech takes time.. a lot of time. some persons leave school and get into it and do succeed but they are the few lucky ones. other have been in it for years and are still struggling. everyone moves along at their own pace and sometimes we can only do so much and no more. continuing education is very important so is attending trade shows and stuff, but if you are a struggling tech watching your small budget its hard to follow up all this continuing education stuff you need money for that, so its not that techs want to do bad nails or that they think they are good and ready when they are not.. its just that everyone has try to try and the only way you can do that and get better at doing nails is to keep working on people hoping to hit the right formula one day, so what, maybe a few bad nails will happen a little lifting here and there but i am sure its not intentional and i speak from experience cuz when i started out i was terrible but my clients understood and the comforted me by saying that i should stick with i would get better and i did.. i never gave up. of course it was embarrassingto be fixing nails over and over but how else will you learn? you cant learn everyting in college you know. we all learn from each other through this board and other networks and by reading magazines and books on nails. so for those of you who are succesful now. be a bit more understanding of the ones out there who arent quite "there' yet. we all started at the same place some made it because of hard work some because they were in the right place at the right time. but eventually all of us newbies will one day look and back and say well i have been there and it takes this or that to get here and be able to advice some other new techs. we all haveto help each other and be kind. sometimes when we get to the top we forget that we started from the bottom and its all too easy to slide right back down if we are not too careful. so its just one love all around for me. we never stop learning and i have certainly learnt a lot from this board and others so lets just keep the knowledge flowing okey dokey love you all.. god bless

 

[Sassy Hassy]

Firstly can I just say how wonderful it has been to debate in such a wonderful thread, they are so far and few between these days so congrats to Lucy for starting it.

Regarding the generalisations of Housewife Hobbyist, I think the old adage of, if the caps fits wear it, applies here. I have a home salon, and it's beautiful (if I say so myself). I have equipment that is better than a lot of salons. My clients prefer it to going to a large salon which is often impersonal and intimidating, where you may feel you have to look beautiful just to walk in the door! I'd never even think of myself as anything other than a professional.

I get clients because I advertise as though I am a main salon (ie on the High Street). I get so many calls from therapists looking for jobs and they are shocked when I say I work from home and it's just me. Your ad is your shop front and it's incredibly important that you get it right.

I agree with Cathie that it was a good two years before I really felt confident with my work, but I can still see room for improvement. This is why I attend at least one course a year, my work improves after every course. Not only that but it gives me a lift and gets me excited again to get and practice those new skills. To compare with hairdressing as we often do, I'd rather go to a hairdresser that is fresh out of college because they have all the latest techniques, skils and knowledge. The stylists who don't retrain become dated in their skills and tend to churn out the same old work on each client. I never have to rewash and style my a hair when I get home because my young stylist does exactly what I say. If I go to a stylist from the old school they make it all poofy and big and I hate it, even though I say I don't want it like this, because that is the way they were taught many moons ago and feel they HAVE to work like this!!!

I can see where you are coming from Cec with your comments about training, there are those who just won't cut the mustard (translation - they won't make it!) no matter how much training they get. But there are those that maybe having a problem that a short course would point them in the right direction and remotivate them. When you work alone you don't have colleagues to help you out so you have to turn to education to improve.

Anyway that's enough waffling from me!!!

 

[pazzy]

Over the years I noticed that the same amount of salons closed as they did open in the 90's there were only about 9 or 10 good salons in my home town (some of them still going today) Iopened my salon in the late 90's because I could see the BOOM there was to be in salons opening and I wanted to be in there first...then it happened, the dreaded salon next door to you opening syndrom (how unlucky I thought) its a long story but I couldnt be bothered to fight for it anymore (I had my son and that was more important to me) I closed and kept my clients which I visit in their homes and I do much much better - less stress!! But I am still paying debt that accumulated for my experience as salon owner!!!

 

[The Beauty Zoo]

Thanks Lucy for starting this thread!!!

At this moment in time I am considering lots of options that are coming my way regarding my future in this industry.

Do I risk my house (and therefore my childrens home) on the chance of buying out a salon that I have worked in and know how good the business could be, if run properly. Do I stick with my little room at the gym, where clients are few and far between and I am struggling to pay the rent at times. Do I move and start afresh in a different town or do I take the option of a small shop (with really reasonable rent) and start to try and build a business up from scratch.

This thread is giving me lots of different perspectives and for that I am really grateful :hug:

So please keep the reply's coming.....once again the Geeks come up trumps :hug: :hug: 's to you all

XXXXXX

 

[joanna118]

there will always be a need for a good tech keep at it