TPTW ... Starting Up a Nail Business

[geeg]

Don't you all think it is sad that in our profession, I would say that 99%, of the people who are attracted to it start out with the mentality of "where can I buy the cheapest products" or get the cheapest education? What kind of mentality is that for someone who wishes to have success in business?

I'm just making the observation that so many enter our business with no funds at all to start a business so they start out with cheap naff education, and cheap naff products and they never get anywhere. I would guess that no more than 40% of all those who try to enter the nail industry actually ever get anywhere with it or ever make any money at it. The reason being that they are not dedicated to it as a business. They think it would be 'fun' or sounds like a cool thing to do ... use it as a little hobby etc etc when they could do so much more if they showed willing to go for it and went for it in the right way ... Right from the start!.

I hear many say, "I'll give up the day job when I have a sufficient number of clients!!" But how can you ever have sufficient clients if you don't give up the day job?? I know it is scary ... but what change isn't scary? You have to believe and you have to have that sense of adventure too and confidence in yourself and your ability and the funds to do it. If you don't have that or at least the expectation of that, don't you think it is better to give it up altogether?

I talk to many who do really well in their nail businesses, they tell me they KNEW from day one that they could and would do it (I have heard that from hundreds of flourishing nail tecnicians) ... and they have done it. They borrowed or found the funds to do it and they worked like hell and dedicated themselves to growing their business and made a thriving success of it. That is not just a coincidence.

 

[maguire]

Way to go Geeg at last someone has told it like it is, if you want to do and to be the best it costs money and plenty of it, Hard work and commitment good training by proffessional educators and you won't go wrong.

 

[Cathie!]

It's not just money initially for the best training, but you need that to start with, it's investment to get your salon started.......money behind you for advertising and wages whilst you are training your techs.....it is an investment thing and if you have it, go for it, if you really want to go for it you need the money behind you.

 

[champagne]

Well for all the doubting, would be, going to be nail techs out there, heres my story...

I gave up a very well paid job to follow my dreams.....

I did 3 CND nail courses, studied and practiced for hours on end, putting my family through hell lol

Found a room in a hairdressers, moved in, worked 7 days a week for at least 8-9 hours a day, mostly just being there to start with...

I have been doing this for 3 months now and have worked my ass off ...... & my wallet lol

I now have a sucessful business ahead which is building day by day, I have counted 47 regular clients that I have gained in 3 months.

I am very proud of my success and from the beginning I knew I would make it, as I was determined to do well.

I have covered my education costs and most of my stock costs already.

It was the best decision I ever made, but boy do i deserve it x

It can be done if you want it badly enough.

I am now moving forward and looking into more education and training...

 

[jamine123]

I have counted 47 regular clients that I have gained in 3 months.

Way to go champagne, that's amazing. I'm starting out too and finding that it's really hard to sitting around and waiting for a client.

 

[Lil Linz]

I hear many say I'll give up the day job when I have a sufficient number of clients!! How can you ever have sufficient clients if you don't give up the day job?? I know it is scary ... but what change isn't scary? You have to believe and you have to have that sense of adventure too and confidence in yourself and your ability and the funds to do it. If you don't have that or at least the expectation of that, don't you think it is better to give it up altogether?

This was me when I started out. I always said that I would leave the day job when I got enough clients, and it took me until May this year to take the plunge. I only had a grand total of 6 regular clients, but I knew if I didn't go for it, I never would. My mentality changed, if that makes sence, I decided that this is all I want to do and then was about as good time to go for it as any other.

I would say its the best thing i've done, because now i'm pushing myself more as I've not got the safety net of the day job's income. Things are building up better now I can dedicate myself to my business full time.

I never thought it would be easy to build my client base, but at the same time I didn't realise how hard it would be. Now I know how hard it is, i'm pushing myself more.

 

[cro-mari]

You're right, Geeg, I guess many of us think that way, but not saying that out loud here so no one gets hurt or something and we are all entitled to think whatever and do whatever more.

But of course it's not coincidential that someone "makes it a living out of nails" and someone doesn't. From my experience, apart from quality products, ongoing education and working like crazy, it takes courage, guts, it takes to be a visionaire and believe strongly in what you do, in what you want to achieve. And put concrete in your ears when everyone says, Oh, get a real job, why don't you do it in evenings till you get enough customers, you don't have a big salon like xyz... And how did that xyz started, for God's name, but as small as I am now?!!

I left my teaching job (worked for 10 years) because there was no chalenge any more. Our system is rotten, but that's another story. So I said good bye, school, and went to bigger town. My colleagues we're in shock. "Ah, Mari, so what do you do? You were respected lady in high heels and now what you are? Scraping callouses from smelly feet? Dealing with all that hairy and demanding and God knows what people?!" And I said "Yeah, yeah, whatever..." and hang on. I borrowed money to pay for all I need, and those we're top quality things that I could find. I still did not repay everything I put into the business. I don't go to hollidays, I didn't buy myself new shoes, I can't remember when... But what the hell... my business is growing! So I love and respect all those hands and feet and hairy folks because there is not one day that there is not something new to learn and improve!

There are no shortcuts or cheap, quick options. You have to bite it, you have to swallow it and put everything aside. All of my time and mind was and is set to it, and that's the only way it could work for me.

 

[geeg]

Well for all the doubting, would be, going to be nail techs out there, heres my story...

I gave up a very well paid job to follow my dreams.....

I did 3 CND nail courses, studied and practiced for hours on end, putting my family through hell lol

Found a room in a hairdressers, moved in, worked 7 days a week for at least 8-9 hours a day, mostly just being there to start with...

I have been doing this for 3 months now and have worked my ass off ...... & my wallet lol

I now have a sucessful business ahead which is building day by day, I have counted 47 regular clients that I have gained in 3 months.

I am very proud of my success and from the beginning I knew I would make it, as I was determined to do well.

I have covered my education costs and most of my stock costs already.

It was the best decision I ever made, but boy do i deserve it x

It can be done if you want it badly enough.

I am now moving forward and looking into more education and training...

Bravo .......... it's not an easy option. I do believe that CND do inspire more technicians to take the steps you did than any other company ... one of the reasons so many CND technicians have the booming nail businesses.

An inspirational story to share and for all the reasons highlighted in red. Well done .. you do deserve to thrive. :hug:

 

[champagne]

Thank you very much Gigi ....

 

[geeg]

You're right, Geeg, I guess many of us think that way, but not saying that out loud here so no one gets hurt or something and we are all entitled to think whatever and do whatever more.

But of course it's not coincidential that someone "makes it a living out of nails" and someone doesn't. From my experience, apart from quality products, ongoing education and working like crazy, it takes courage, guts, it takes to be a visionaire and believe strongly in what you do, in what you want to achieve. And put concrete in your ears when everyone says, Oh, get a real job, why don't you do it in evenings till you get enough customers, you don't have a big salon like xyz... And how did that xyz started, for God's name, but as small as I am now?!!

I left my teaching job (worked for 10 years) because there was no chalenge any more. Our system is rotten, but that's another story. So I said good bye, school, and went to bigger town. My colleagues we're in shock. "Ah, Mari, so what do you do? You were respected lady in high heels and now what you are? Scraping callouses from smelly feet? Dealing with all that hairy and demanding and God knows what people?!" And I said "Yeah, yeah, whatever..." and hang on. I borrowed money to pay for all I need, and those we're top quality things that I could find. I still did not repay everything I put into the business. I don't go to hollidays, I didn't buy myself new shoes, I can't remember when... But what the hell... my business is growing! So I love and respect all those hands and feet and hairy folks because there is not one day that there is not something new to learn and improve!

There are no shortcuts or cheap, quick options. You have to bite it, you have to swallow it and put everything aside. All of my time and mind was and is set to it, and that's the only way it could work for me.

Another inspirational story to share. I'm sure a common theme will emerge from all the successful techs who reply to this thread.

This thread was not meant to be hurtful to anyone. It was meant to inspire those that have IT and perhaps to give a reality check to those who do not. They all know who they are if they are honest with themselves. It is a thought provoking thread!

 

[hayls]

I agree with Cathie, for me going into this Industry was such a fab thing for me to do and something I had wanted to do for years. I simply didnt have the money. I saved for 8 years to do all my training with CND and Im so glad I waited and didnt just go with the cheapest or any old company!

Obviously I had kids in that time and got married so saving was put on hold for a while!

But like Cathie says, it definately was an investment for me!

Nails is my absolute passion, BUT, I have taken on a very part time job, just for when I have really quiet weeks and the money isnt so hot! I only work 3 days 10-3, so when I have clients on those 3 days I fit them in before I start, or when Im finished! It works well for me.

In the early days I was soooo quiet, but I never gave up, I kept going, and for me its paid off, I have a full book until September.

Im 27 years old and I didnt know what I wanted to do until the age of 19, I trained as a Comp Therapist, I did Performing Arts, and I am so glad that I went into nails.

I see a few girls setting up around me, using bog standard products, no training etc etc etc, and I think to myself, why do you bother?? In the end if they have clients they end up coming to me to sort out the mess they made of their nails!

Sorry to go on, I am very passionate about what I do! :hug:xxxx

 

[geeg]

I agree with Cathie, for me going into this Industry was such a fab thing for me to do and something I had wanted to do for years. I simply didnt have the money. I saved for 8 years to do all my training with CND and Im so glad I waited and didnt just go with the cheapest or any old company!

Obviously I had kids in that time and got married so saving was put on hold for a while!

But like Cathie says, it definately was an investment for me!

Nails is my absolute passion, BUT, I have taken on a very part time job, just for when I have really quiet weeks and the money isnt so hot! I only work 3 days 10-3, so when I have clients on those 3 days I fit them in before I start, or when Im finished! It works well for me.

In the early days I was soooo quiet, but I never gave up, I kept going, and for me its paid off, I have a full book until September.

Im 27 years old and I didnt know what I wanted to do until the age of 19, I trained as a Comp Therapist, I did Performing Arts, and I am so glad that I went into nails.

I see a few girls setting up around me, using bog standard products, no training etc etc etc, and I think to myself, why do you bother?? In the end if they have clients they end up coming to me to sort out the mess they made of their nails!

Sorry to go on, I am very passionate about what I do! :hug:xxxx

No one will ever enjoy success without a passion for what they do. It is a word I'm sure we will see again and again in posts. The more successful one becomes the bigger the thirst for more knowledge becomes and the stronger the passion grows. I have never lost the passion for what I do in 25 years.

Now a job that some think they can learn in a cheap short nail class (or even an expensive short nail class) would never have kept me interested for 25 years; a job like that would not have kept me interested for 5 minutes let alone stirred my passion for it. :lol:

 

[Bebeautiful]

Hi there fellow geeks,

my aunt is here on vacation from Texas and she came to stay with us,

and she was interested in what I do. When I told her about nail

enhancements she said "oh no it spoils the natural nails" in a nice way, if

it wasn't for the knowledge that I have through training in beauty and nail

enhancement, I would have been totally stuck for words, after I explained

about the importance of sanitation, disinfectant and applying the products

porperly (and product knowledge) she had her nails done along with my 5

sisters who came along with my aunt. I think that there is a reason why

people say that nail enhancement spoils the natural nail perhaps they

have had a bad experience, they didn't take care of their nails after

treatment and blamed it on the nail enhancement. I personally believe

that money spent on training is definately worth it. I was able to advise

my aunt and sisters about the proper procedures in applying nail

enhancements because of the courses that I did. Hopefully this has

dismissed the myth of nail enhancement and taught them that they should

have their nails done by a qualified technician.

 

[fifitrix]

This thread so hits home with me. After having my nails done for years I was constantly saying to my hubby that it would be something I would love to learn. I was working part time in a hotel and seen a nail course advertised(this was before I found this site), I came home and told my hubby about it and was over the moon when he said go for it. I went ahead and done the course but realised that must be more to nails than just what I had learned so then, with the help of this site, I went on to get further training.

I have never looked back and am still constantly looking forward to what other training I can do to better myself. The hotel got taken over and it was then I thought well it's do it full time or it'll always be something that is always on the back-burner.

It was and is a huge investment but it is definitely paying off now, I have a good healthy client base and it is growing steadily. My clients can see my passion for it and they love that. I have an older client that suffers from many ailments and her hands constantly shake, said to me the other day that I take the time with her and that I have a client in her for life, what can be better than that, I was grinning all day. I love my job.

 

[Bev Rose]

Ever since I was a small child I loved my Mum's lovely nails. When she held my hand when we were walking or anytime really, I loved to play with her nails. Just putting my little fingers under her free edge and the feeling of how smooth and nice they were!

My Mum's been gone 9 years now:cry:.

I have always been fascinated with nails.
I spent almost 25 years in the advertising world and became a very successful high earning sales person earning in excess of £150 a day 15+ years ago.
Then the kids came.
I started a clerical job, then a friend who had moved from London told me about a person she knew who did nail courses. I paid the money & took the course, no hesitation.
Decided to give up my day job and start my own mobile business in Nov 2004.
I was scared to death, but I knew that if it failed, I could always find something else to do.
I worked from 8am to 10.30pm for 5 days a week, this lasted for about 3-4 months. I was the ONLY nail tech in the area & the ONLY mobile one too.
I was totally worn out, but I loved it soo much, I carried on, pumping as much money as I could back into my business.
I found this fantastic site and realised my initial training was pants and went on the trained with CND.
Even though I did not have to fork out to do a Foundation course with them, I did anyway. I wanted to be sure I was going to be the best I could be. CND, in my eyes were THE BEST, and still are, as far as I and my clients are concerned.
I have also done an EzFlow course too, so that I can use their fab products (with confidence & knowledge of how to).
I am now almost 5 years down the line. I work from home now.
All the clients I did not think would follow me back to my home did except one.
I have a very loyal band of customers who are more than happy to use me, they are happy with my services etc.
Yes, money is always an issue, but you've got the speculate to accumulate. I have spent lots of money on my training and I know I've done the right thing.
I love my job & I cannot believe people actually pay me to do something that is my passion - how lucky am I???

If you want something badly enough, you'll make sure it will happen.

If it's just a play thing to you, you'll soon give it up and find something else to play with. And you'll still be in your day job.

Take the bull by the horns, believe in yourself and go for it - be the best you can and you'll get there.

 

[milkshakerrr]

What awesome stories, dudes!

Gigi: What a refreshing (yet obvious!) way to look at things. It IS a business, and should be treated as such from beginning to end! I guess what I do is a small business, but I've never thought to use the same resources as other small businesses because I've never really thought that I'd be entitled to such resources, as I'm a one-man band. I'm going to research that right NOW! *High five*

Champagne: I'm doing the Wayne's World "We're not worthy!" dance!!! It's amaaaazing how far you've come in only three months! You have an amazing attitude, too, dude! May I ask, did you invest much in the way of marketing, or did much of your clientele come from the salon's existing roster?

Bev: "You've got to speculate to accumulate." What a great way to put it. Ever since I've moved here I've been fretting about money (or lack of...) and killing myself over how to pay for my supplies and a ticket to The Event in October... I need to stop being mingebag and JUST DO IT!!!

Many thanks for this thread! It has definitely put lots of stuff into perspective; I almost forget that I really do have my own business now. (That sounds so stupid! But if I'm honest, I'm honest.) That won't be happening anymore. =) *Own it own it own it*

/spazzy excitement

 

[champagne]

Hi Milk....

I literally started training with CND in March this year, I did my foundation and went for it straight away...

There were no beauty treatments offered in the hairdressers before i arrived, I printed and delivered approx 600 leaflets, had an A Board made for outside the shop & put my cards & price lists evrywhere i could....Oh and designed a free website...All my advertising is completed by me & it hasnt cost me anything except paper, ink & time !

I have a tiny room but am upgrading to a bigger room in there so I dont have to keep re-arranging the funiture everytime i get a pedicure lol

I dont have all the top salon fixtures, i have enough to get by and make people feel comfortable..And of course make money.....Without going into figures, I am earning a good monthly salary from nails/mani/pedi..

I am normally the first person in the shop & the last to leave, even now ill be found in the shop at 9/10 oclock if required....

I believe it is also the person that you are that attracts cleints..... You will get out what you put in...

I walk around the salon making cups of tea and chatting to clients, that gets the interest, then they are hooked ...

I was up till 4 in the morning some nights whilst training to 'get it right'

Im learning all the time and getting better with each day that goes by.....

I think its my addictive personality ... I WILL NEVER GIVE UP !

I hope this thread gives others the push that they need to just go for it !

xx

 

[aj1]

I have been in my business for 3 years next month. I quit my job and went back to school and knew all along I would open up my business in my basement. While in school, we worked on my little room and the day I received my certification I opened up. I absolutely love what I do and feel badly that I get paid to do it. I must say business is increasing and quite happy.

However, enhancements aren't going anywhere.

Geeg,

How do you know when to give up, I mean in my heart I feel I should just sell all my stuff and specialize in natural nail care only. I think in my heart it's what I want to do but afraid of failure. I don't have a need for this at all, competition is huge in my town. So I question my thoughts on this daily...do I give it up, is three years enough time to know if I'll succeed in enhancements?

 

[grafxgal]

This thread has popped up at the most appropriate time for me.
Very thought provoking, right what I need as I am in a upside down world with my thoughts right now, so please excuse me if none of it makes sense.

Right down to my question.

How do you overcome the fear? The fear of success or of failure?

 

[skymark]

Hi Milk....

I literally started training with CND in March this year, I did my foundation and went for it straight away...

There were no beauty treatments offered in the hairdressers before i arrived, I printed and delivered approx 600 leaflets, had an A Board made for outside the shop & put my cards & price lists evrywhere i could....Oh and designed a free website...All my advertising is completed by me & it hasnt cost me anything except paper, ink & time !

I have a tiny room but am upgrading to a bigger room in there so I dont have to keep re-arranging the funiture everytime i get a pedicure lol

I dont have all the top salon fixtures, i have enough to get by and make people feel comfortable..And of course make money.....Without going into figures, I am earning a good monthly salary from nails/mani/pedi..

I am normally the first person in the shop & the last to leave, even now ill be found in the shop at 9/10 oclock if required....

I believe it is also the person that you are that attracts cleints..... You will get out what you put in...

I walk around the salon making cups of tea and chatting to clients, that gets the interest, then they are hooked ...

I was up till 4 in the morning some nights whilst training to 'get it right'

Im learning all the time and getting better with each day that goes by.....

I think its my addictive personality ... I WILL NEVER GIVE UP !

I hope this thread gives others the push that they need to just go for it !

xx

That's awesome progress. Well done!