New to nails! would you open a shop?

[suezy]

Hello everyone

Im new on here, and also new to nails, i have done the NSI foundation acrylic course and manicure and ped, also Hollywood toes.
I had to do quiet a few sets of pink and white for my portfolio to complete my course, i passed my exam in Dec.

I have an amazing opportunity to open a nails shop on a raf base the rent is hardly anything, I would love to give it a go, but worried as i have only done one paying client and if i start doing peoples nails and they are not happy they may not come back. I have to build a client base and keep them asit is only people that live and work on base that will be allowed to visit the shop.

I know it takes years to get good at nails, i would say im getting good but not excellent. I would have liked to have worked in a shop with others to gain experience but there is not many shops near me that do acrylic nails.
So would you give it a go?

I am also thinking of doing waxing but once again not sure due to costs and courses.

Thanks for any advise

 

[persianista]

I'm sorry, but are you mad? the rent may not be much, but the other costs will be! Become proficient at your trade first, there will always be shops available.

 

[suezy]

Hi the rent is only £50 per month and i have all the products from NSI to do nails for the next 2 months approx? understand what your saying but just looking for some kind advise of people.

 

[suezy]

oh and utilies is only £25? so i think it is worth a try?

 

[cherish_beauty]

i always think you should be confidant in what you do. why not state you are a newly qualified nail technician and have an opening offer!! have you got a nail trainer hand? if not why not invest in one and practice paractice practice. if you would be happy wearing your nails then others will be too!!!
good luck and hope it goes well for you

 

[geeg]

Well I say go for it and get your practice & experience on the job .. best way to get it.

I opened my first salon 3 months after passing my first course. I started doing paying clients the day after I passed it. I didn't do everything perfectly ... my clients worked with me. I learned. I did more classes whenever I could. Bla bla.

You have a chance .. go on and take it. The fact you are thinking about is says to me that you want it.

 

[Nail Delights]

go for it, you never know it might be you calling card, do some offers to start let you clients know you are just starting out, they will understand

good luck x

adell

 

[suezy]

Thanks ! wasnt sure if being new would put people off, but if they know like you say then they will be understanding hopefully.
Yes i have a nail trainer hand it very useful i can do sculptured and tips but would prefere to just do one or the other and its hard to practise tips on the nail trainer as they dont stay on? would you stick with sculpt?
Thanks for the positive advise everyone, i know i need to see the negative too!

 

[Nail Delights]

i know i need to see the negative too!

there is always a negative in everything, but you can usually turn it into a postitive, take it slow take on what you feel that you can handle and the rest can wait, take on to much and you will be overpowered by it all.

 

[suezy]

Thanks Nail Delights! true I am being pushed to do waxing as well, but like you say i need to get good at nails then start doing other things. xx

 

[shedunlop]

I think you should go for it and I would actually recommend you do a waxing course as well. If you have managed to do a nail course you will find waxing ok. It takes practice to build your time up but it is not as difficult as doing nails. To start with only wax the areas you want to. legs or whatever and work your way from there. This way you will increase the amount of money you can earn to cover your costs etc.

Waxing and nails are two very different things and they will both attract customers who will then look at other stuff you do.

I wish you the best of luck, it is too good an opportunity to pass by with rent that low!

 

[suezy]

Hi shedunlop, thanks for that lovely advise, i would never dream of my own shop but because the rent is that low it makes me think i should give it a go.
I only need to give 2 months notice if it doesnt work? so only £100 lost.

Can you recommend a good waxing course? and what wax hot or warm, dont really understand much about it at mo.

Thanks

 

[marioned]

I'd say go for it. You aren't going to lose much if it fails, but you really need to go into it with a positive attitude and work your butt off! Practise and practise on anyone who stands still for 2 mins and get your advertising going.

Get in touch with Kim Lawless, she runs waxing courses and has trained many of us on here.

Good luck! xx

 

[suezy]

Hi thanks for that please can you advise me where i can get kim lawless telephone or web site from? sorry bit new on here?

 

[Martin Duffy]

When costing it out don't forget it's not just rent & utilities, there's business rates, NI, tax, professional indemnity insurance, contents insurance, possibly buildings insurance, public liability insurance, licence for playing music, book-keeping costs etc etc. Personally I'm with Persianista here; it's often hard enough mastering one's trade, without trying to learn new skills & master running a business at the same time.

 

[geeg]

Don't let the negative nancys put you off if you think you are capable .... everyone has to start somewhere.

Of course you need to be realistic about all costs but crumbs, you've got a captive audience and word will spread like wild fire and you couldn't hope to get a better offer. The worst that can happen is you loose a few 100 but what is the best that can happen?? You will gain valuable experience and running a business is like running a good household really .... if you are a capable person you will make it work.

 

[catsaremad]

Go for it, there are so many occassions on a RAF base that the ladies like to get pampered for.

I would look into doing a waxing course, also tinting and spray tanning.

Good luck with your new venture

 

[del3]

I have a salon very close to a RAF base.
If you can aim to open at least 3-4 months prior to one of the many balls the RAF have during the year, you will have the oppertunity to establish yourself before hand, a word of warning though on these occasions you will wish you colud grow another 2 pairs of arms :lol:, the demand for your services will be high.
When new ppl arrive on a base, the wifes of the serving officers like to have places close to hand ( this is what i've been told by them ) as often they have moved to somewhere they are not familiar with. Also as many of them don't work they have the time to spend having treatments done.

Definatly look into wax training, it is a fantastic extra to offer.I would also suggest spay tanning aswell.

If you find that you have quiet spells, you could consider doing moblie to expand your clientelle since civilians are not allowed to the salon.

There's nothing like throwing yourself in at the deep end to make you learn to swim.
Good Luck
:hug:

 

[elliebabes33]

I totally agree with Gigi - I only qualified last June and have just opened my own nail bar within a salon. I have had about 5 clients in just over a week so it is slow to start with and its nerve wracking, which is to be expected but I have done a good 20-30 paying clients when I was just mobile - I only charged them half price until i got more confident at it and am now charging full price in my nail bar (£20). The other nail salons in my town charge around £30 for a set so I am hoping it will draw people to mine! I go out and about posting cards with my prices on when I arent at the nail bar, hand them out in the street, and advertise to friends on facebook too. I havent had much expense except my £50 a week rent (which I dont have to pay if i dont get clients which is really good of the salon owner) and just my initial layout for the products and a table and chairs (£40). It doesnt have to cost you a fortune, as long as you have all the basic equipment needed to do the job properly. I just need to invest in an extractor desk fan now and thats it! go for it! you may regret missing such a good opportunity - at least you will get to practice more too! good luck and all the best with it if you do - I absolutely love my little nail bar!

Well I say go for it and get your practice & experience on the job .. best way to get it.

I opened my first salon 3 months after passing my first course. I started doing paying clients the day after I passed it. I didn't do everything perfectly ... my clients worked with me. I learned. I did more classes whenever I could. Bla bla.

You have a chance .. go on and take it. The fact you are thinking about is says to me that you want it.

 

[bombini]

Im afraid my post is also going to be slightly on the negative side.

My main concern is the restrictions you have on clients. I know the rent is very cheap but if the general public can't access the site surely that means your potential clientele is really quite small ?

People aren't being 'negative' to be miserable, its to point out all the additional costs and things that come with a business and that although the rent is an absolute bargain there are plenty of other costs that bump it up.