Nail Technician. Where Do I Start?

[Vikki_Leigh]

Hiya everyone,

I am currently undertaking courses with The Carlton Institute as a Nail Technician - I know! Bad choice? I've read so many bad reviews on here! But honestly I am very happy I made the choice to go with them. They are extremely helpful and my tutor is a very experienced and knowledgable women! After doing the basic courses I am then going to go on to do my NVQ 2 in Nail Technician.

What I was wondering is when I am qualified - where do I start? I'd be curious to know how all you nail technicians started out! It's hard when you have no one by your side to help you because I don't know where to start to build up my experience and where the best money is in it!

All comments welcome. Thanks a bunch =)

 

[Bagpuss]

Hiya ... I started out by doing a foundation course (CND)....I did lots of research on the intenet and this site and came to the conclusion that this was the best way to go for me.

 

[RockChic]

Once I qualified and got my insurance I have marketed myself by getting business cards and price lists and gone from there. I am mobile and find once people start rebooking word starts to get round. I only qualified last October and am only doing natural nails but business is really picking up. Hope that helps and good luck.

 

[loubylou]

Your tutor should be able to help you and advise you with this :hug:

 

[trusim]

Hi

With the courses here in Australia (not all) but during our training we are to do 140hrs in a salon, which gives us an insight into salon land....

We then get to clean, learn appointments, handling different client situations or needs etc.

It is a great opportunity.

If your training facility doesn't do this, I would approach a salon, and offer to do free work whilst training. Most would accept. This would benefit both you and the salon owner.

Good Luck.

Trudy

 

[Bagpuss]

Your tutor should be able to help you and advise you with this :hug:

True but so should we....thats what this site is for....vikki is asking how we all stated out....what training we did and how to get up and running....what better people to ask than those who have done it.

 

[Vetty]

I also did the CND Foundation Course as the start of my training and decided I wanted to be mobile so I chose a name, had a brand and logo designed, had price lists etc printed and then started advertising. I spent lot of money advertising and now a lot of my new business is word of mouth but to get that you need clients in the first place......

Get the best training you can and approach your business with a professional mentality, if you look professional, act professional and sound professional people will take you seriously.

Lastly being a Nail Tech is not a quick way to make a lot of money! It takes time and effort but the rewards are there if you earn them.....

Good luck!

 

[geeg]

You just DO IT.

I opened my own little place within a month of finishing my initial course. I learned on the job and gave it my all.
I kept up my training with regular classes every few months to build my skills.
Still do train at least once a year in something new.

If you sit around and procrastinate (as so many do) then you will stay sitting around. It doesn't sound as if you have that mentality.
Good Luck.

 

[mercedes69]

First of all good luck for the future.....you have chosen a great career :lol:

Secondly like a few others I have done the CND foundation course and then started out doing mobile work....mainly to build on the skills I was taught on the foundation course and to build up my confidence. ( Due to a problem I had I kind of took a break )

I always planned to go into this career more full time when my last child started school which is this September so I am then going to have a home salon as right now that is my best option, it's exciting planning all this!!!

Plus I am going to build on my initial training and have more courses/training. I'm happy to have spent the last 18 months or so just working with a few clients and working on the skills I learnt....but I know some people who get stuck right in!!!!

You do whatever feels right for you....and if you are happy with the training you are receiving right now then good for you.
You can always do a conversion course with another company...like CND for instance ( or any other company! ).

and don't forget....you are not alone. There is so much information within this site. I very rarely need to ask a question, I just hit the search button and there is more information than I can handle at times :lol:

Good luck...and don't forget to come over to the blogs to let everyone know how you are getting on....:hug:

 

[Vikki_Leigh]

Thanks to most of you with your replies! It's good to find out how people started off. That's all I wanted to hear. I am no where near qualified yet but I am very determined and I love hearing all of your stories!

I didn't come on here to get critised about my mentality etc! So no thanks to you.

Thanks everyone with your help it's much appreciated! x

 

[choc choc]

I dont think she did critises you if you read it, How i read it is ,it doesnt sound like you have that mentality, but I maybe wrong.

 

[Annie23]

I definately did not read a criticism, just stating that too many people think that nails is an easy career to get into and really you have to work really hard if you want to succeed.

In fact I read it that you personally don't have that mentality because you have the gumption to post your questions on here and learn from others on how they became successful. Therefore you're willing to put in the time and effort to be a success!! :hug:

I have pm'd you regarding marketing your business if you want to take a look.

anne xx

 

[mercedes69]

It's so easy for words to get misconstrued on here.....sometimes we see things that aren't there :lol:

It definitely was not a criticism.....re-read the post in whole and you will see it was actually a praise....

 

[geeg]

Thanks guys ... I was actually giving the lady a compliment! Go figure!

 

[Annie23]

I know, I was like whats going on!!! I had to re read it all a few times before I even read it. Its like the other day I suggested to someone use a funnel when filling up the Easy Soak as opposed spending more money on alternatives - geesh the response I was trying to be helpful, I got to the point where I wished I'd not bothered

go in peace :hug: :hug: :lol:

anne xx