Are You Full Service?

Some drastic changes are happening in the USA Nail Industry. Back when I first started doing nails, acrylic nails was very popular. Back then I could get $65 for a full set and $35- 40 for a fill. Acrylic nails were something that only middle to upper class customers could afford.

We opened ourselves up to the Discount Nail Salon. By creating such a high priced market, we just opened the door and said, "come on in and take over". We gave discount salons plenty of room to come down on their prices and under cut us. Of all the countries I have traveled I can say, England is on it's way to having our same problems. Cost of service is still high there and their door is wide open!!

But, the positive side of this... it quadrupled the industry as a whole. Now, people that could not afford to have their nails done ARE having their nails done.

This has brought on a very important social change. If a woman had on a beautiful set of pink and whites (say 14 years ago) she could easily be looked upon as 'having money'. Now, just anyone can have beautiful pink and whites at a discounted price.

So how has this affected the Industry? More and more clients are asking for Spa Manicure (and Pedicure) services as well as Gel services. To have long beautiful natural nails has become the upper and middle class service. It takes time, commitment and caution to maintain a long natural nail.

My question (in the title), "Are you a full service tech?". Do you do Acrylics, Gels, Fabrics (Fiberglass, Silk and Linen) and several levels of Manicure / Pedicure? If you said no to any of these services you really need to rethink your actions. More and more clients are going to walk through the door of your Salon or Spa and request Gel. Will you be prepared to service them? Or will you turn them away only to feed your competitions business? Seek out continuing education and learn these services. Practice and promote them. Use, "I'm a full service tech" or "full service Spa" on your marketing literature. Keep the products on hand. And be prepared to provide the service.

It's all about getting them in the door. Once you have them, you can start to educate them on the services you prefer. By then they will trust your skill and knowledge and consider your suggestions.

In a time when the economy is painful and the dollar is so weak, every customer counts towards keeping your business alive.

Elaine
(writing from Valencia, CA today)

My Clients Would Never Wear That!!

"My clients would never wear that!!". When ever I hear this statement my instant reply is, "Bull! If you really believe that, you are missing out on some serious money.".

I got my start in the nail industry in Maine. If you have never heard of Kennebunkport, Maine... let me paint a picture for you. First, George Bush Sr. has a prominent summer home there. Some of the richest business people, movie stars and musicians own summer homes there as well. The remaining locals, are an interesting breed. They're down to earth (we're talking about Maine here) but VERY conservative. My salon that I owned with my dad was just "a stones throw away" from KBP.

At a very early age, I discovered I had a natural gift for painting and art. It didn't take long before I was painting anything and everything on a nail while in school. My first job was in a hair salon in Kennebunk (not the port). I built my entire clientel by displaying my little works of art under my glass table top. Back then most of my artwork was requested for the holidays. My clients were proud to have me hand paint designs and wanted no part of quick stick ons.

Later in my career I discovered color and glitter acrylic. I even created and made my own glow in the dark acrylic. And guess what? 90% of my business was wearing it. Maybe the most conservative didn't have it on their fingers, but you better believe they had simple designs with crystal rhinestones on their toes.

My only mistake back then, was I was too detailed. I needed to book more time on my appointments in order to do my nail art. I wasn't as business minded then, as I am now. If I were back in my little Maine Salon today, I would use the amazing array of designs that stick on fast. Time is money folks. If you can add designs without adding time to your books, you've just increased your income.

The line of nail art that I have done for my company "Cina and Cinapro" has all been created so that the nail art can either go on top of polish or even inside acrylic or gel. So Stickers take on an amazing roll in a set of acrylic nails. You can do a design set of permanent acrylic nail art in less time than it takes to do a set of Pink and White french...and make MORE money!!

Have I got your attention yet? Now for any of you that think your clients won't go for it, you're not even giving them a chance with that mode of thinking. Try introducing them to something very soft and simple. Crystal Rhinestones are a given. Do a little five petal flower on their big toe and put a rhinestone in the middle. Before you know it, that nail art will have a permanent place in their service. But the first step is up to you. Unless you expose your clients to something new, they'll never know it exists.

So what's the state of the Nail Art Segment of the Nail Industry? Well, 14 years ago my clients were coming to my salon with their little girls. After mom's manicure, I would paint their little girls nails and add nail art. She is now grown up with her own disposable income and has already been exposed to nail art. It's not a stigma to her.

It's up to you. Keep thinking they'll never go for it and watch. In the coming years as nail art gets increasingly popular...your clients will be going to the competition for it... and you'll be losing money!

Elaine
(writing from Valencia, CA today)

Misogyny?!

Right now you have got to be asking yourself where I am going with my Blog today. Last week I picked up my new iPhone 3G. For those of you that do not know me very well, I am a gadget junkie. My real reason, for switching companies and getting the iPhone, was to have mobile service in all these countries I travel to. It's pretty isolating to travel to another part of the world by yourself and be cut off from the part of the world you know. But the Gadgets....HUGE bonus.

The first thing I immediately hated and was very disappointed in, that the screen did not react the way my Palm Pilot or my other PDA Phones did. I couldn't tap the screen with my beautiful, pink and white acrylic nails. DAMN you Apple for making the screen work by skin touch and not the nail (or stylus).

What's this got to do with Misogyny? Well, for those of you that don't know what Misogyny means:

–noun hatred, dislike, or mistrust of women.

Now that's pretty harsh to say about a company that made this wonderful gadget and decided only short nail people will enjoy touching the screen. Surely, the men with big fingers have got to be feeling our pain as well. Anyway, Erica Watson-Currie from Newport Beach, California (no relation to me btw) spoke with Times writer Michelle Quinn and said, "Considering ergonomics and user studies indicating that men and women use their fingers and nails differently, why does Apple persist in this misogyny?" adding that she's reluctant to cut her nails for the purpose of using her iPhone. "It's the machine's job to accommodate its users, not the other way around."

Compromise? Quinn actually spoke to ergonomic consultant Anthony Andre who came up with a compromise: nail polish that can interact with the iPhone screen like your fingertip does. Quinn's name suggestions, 'Touch Screen Taupe' and ' iPhone Indigo'.

On behalf of all us ladies that don't wear polish, I say, "Booooooo". Apple, come down out of that tree to the real world and fix your damn screen. If Palm can make it happen 10 years ago, so can you!!!!

Elaine
(writing from Valencia, CA today)

The Real Deal about Nail Strengtheners and Hardeners

From time to time I'm going to take my blog down to the Client level. I would love to know that a nail client is using this Blog as a tool to learn what is good or bad, just as much as the techs.

What makes a strong nail? Is it thickness? Is it firmness?

The Reality of most Nail Strengtheners and Hardeners is, they do nothing to change the thickness of your nail. Truthfully, the only way to do this is by ingesting healthy food, taking vitamins and drinking lots of water.

So why do you notice nearly instant results? Well, the formaldehyde (and usually there is a high concentration of this to get the results) and Toluene basically suck the moisture out of your nails and leave them dry and ridged. This fools you into thinking, "My nails are stronger and thicker!". However, there is a very frightening side of this practice that you really need to know about. Both formaldehyde and toluene can cause adverse reactions. You can suddenly become allergic due to exposure to the high concentration that is found in most strengtheners and hardeners. Once you're allergic, you'll likely never be able to wear polish again because you'll be allergic to the TINY amount of formaldehyde that is used to preserve polish. Another end result of the over exposure to these chemicals, your nail (or nail plate) can actually release from the nail bed eventually falling off.

That is why most companies sell their Strengtheners and Hardeners in three level systems. They don't want you to stick with the formula high in chemical for fear of the reaction. Only problem is, most customers don't want to switch to the maintenance formula. They feel, "it's working, why should I switch?".

It is because of all these scary reasons that responsible companies, like Cuccio Natural, have changed to 'Strength in Flexibility'. By taking out the chemicals (formaldehyde and toluene) and replacing them with Horse Tail Grass extract , we are now able to stop nails from dehydrating. Think of it this way, when your nail is dry and rigid it is also brittle. One good hit and you're going to lose that beautiful free-edge you've been working so hard to grow. Forte with Horse Tail Grass locks the moisture in the nail creating a strong yet flexible free-edge. Now, when you hit your nail, it will bend and flex back. The greatest bit is, no adverse reactions to harmful chemicals due to long term use.

So the next time you are shopping for a really good nail strengthener, check the ingredients. If it contains Formaldehyde and/or Toluene, save your nails and just don't go there.

If you are interested in more information about Cuccio Naturale's Forte or any other Cuccio Products just goto the website www.cuccio.com or call the toll free number 1.800.782.7624. Customer Service can provide you all the necessary information to get Cuccio Products.

Elaine
(writing from Valencia, CA today)

Fill In the Gaps

Not just the gaps in those grown out full sets, but the gaps in your schedule. What are you doing to fill in openings last minute? I wanted to use todays Blog to share an idea that I learned about. Being internet savvy can help you fill in those last minute appointments. There is a business on the net called "Constant Contact" or www.constantcontact.com . They help with email marketing and surveys. However, there is one vital area that techs could utilize.

You basically create a mailing list of your customers email addresses. The night before your work day use the mass mailing system to send your clients "last minute openings". You'd be surprised how many clients may not call you assuming you are already fully booked. You can even take this idea a step further and offer a discount on last minute appointments by including a code they can use when they call to book (to prove they got the email and called because of it).

There are so many other ways you can utilized Constant Contact. You could create a weekly newletter to educate your clients on why your services are so much better than your competition. Remember to say positive things about yourself and your services while avoiding negative remarks about the competition. You can also educate your clients on things like diversion or MMA. Keeping your clients informed of what is safe and what isn't will also keep them loyal for life. Tell them why your products, techniques won't damage your nails.

Lastly, use that survey. Find out what your clients like and dislike. Being able to handle their comments will make you a better tech, booth renter or salon owner.

Elaine
(writing from Valencia, CA today)

The Reality of International Travel for Work

This is what my desk looks like. I remember my first opportunity to travel for work. I was still living in Maine and in my salon working on clients when I got a call from my friend Lysa. She was getting ready to travel to Amsterdam, Holland for a beauty show and found out she was one educator short for the event. Being that I had a passport and flexible schedule I offered to help. The downside was, I had to leave NOW. So in a hurry I handed my appointment book to my sister Janis, to call all my clients for that day and those that followed as I ran home to power pack.

I was on an international flight that night. Because the flight was booked the only available seat was in first class. Now first class on international is quite different than national flights. Your seat is like a baby basinet . It could be layed out flat to sleep while the hood gave you some privacy. They also give you several course meals and call you "Miss Watson" for everything.

The trip was a success and I loved every minute of it. I'll always thank my lucky stars for the path my career has taken.... however.... here's the reality. Now, when I travel, it's usually anywhere from 4-7 days. A typical trip consists of two countries.

Day 1 Travel day. For anyone that does not do this on a regular basis, this day really stinks. This is where I collect lots of mystery bruises as I am constantly tossing luggage around. Once you are through security and in your seat on the plane, you have a bit of a sigh of relief. Typically, we get in to our rooms either super early in the morning and goto our customers office. Or late at night.

Day 2 or day of travel. Business meeting at our customer's office, educator training, which continues into a dinner where, hopefully, I don't fall asleep in my soup due to the time difference.

Day 3 is the Day we conduct our seminar. This usually is from 9-5 and winds up ending in another dinner.

Day 3 or 4 is travel to the next country and ends the day with office meeting, educator time and dinner. Again, not falling asleep in my dinner is a big accomplishment. Part of the job is pushing back the exhaustion and giving our customers our full attention.

Day 5 another Seminar.

Day 6 Travel day which results in arriving home on day 7. On one of my most recent trips, traveling home from Romania through London took a total of 28 hours!

Does this sound fun? Note the lack of time for being a tourist. Most of my images of foreign countries are shot from my hotel room window or a moving car to our next destination. I will never forget a comment our Rep in England (Stuart or as I affectionately call him, Stewie) made when I asked if we'd have time to see some of Romania. I've always wanted to travel there and hoped to see Dracula's castle. "You will have just enough time to blow your nose and take a wee." Don't you just love the English? Wee! I said I would forgo blowing my nose.

Lastly, while we are gone, there are no elves that come to do all the work that is waiting for our return. It just piles up. The picture I chose for today's blog is exactly how I feel about my desk right now. I can scarcely type without getting Post It notes stuck to my arms. I have 200 emails in my inbox to return and a Nail Art line to manage.

And you know what? I wouldn't change it for all the tea in China.

Elaine
(happy to be writing from Valencia, CA today)

There's No Place Like Home

The lengths I will go to for an internet connection. I'm sitting here in the Hotel Lobby. It's wifi and it's free so I honestly can't complain. But man how we can take such a luxury for granted (in America). I have to watch my little wifi computer graphic before I can get or send information. So I hover over the send button on my email as I watch that little computer. Sometimes it takes a few minutes too. So now I'm like this freak willing the connect to stay long enough to hit send.

No business chat today. I've just finished several long days of business in Panama and I just don't have the urge to make another suggestion on how to increase your business. haha. I'll get back into that when I get home.

This is my first time to Panama. It's very beautiful here. My hotel is smack dab in the middle of the rain forest but not far from downtown Panama complete with skyscrapers. While we've gotten a lot of work accomplished, I have to admit it's be a fun trip. Once a year Tony and I get together with our Export customers from Central and South America. We call it our annual Summit. What's amazing is how all our customers from many different countries come together to do business with us, but end up making personal and professional friendships. It's really inspiring to see them helping one another and offering suggestions to grow their business.

For anyone that has never attended anything like this let me give you an idea of one of my days.
Wake up, shower and get all of my beauty regimen done (early)....talk, talk, talk, talk, talk and talk some more. Throw some meals in there with more talk, talk, talk...then off to bed (late). Now multiply that times 3 days. As always, while offering all the knowledge I've learned from Tony for so many years, I've learned some more from each of our Customers here about the things they are facing in each of their countries.

I did get about three hours today to be a tourist. I went on a great walk with Claudia (from our office whom came on this trip with us). I got to see three Monkeys in person for the first time in my life. Claudia and I even reached out and touched the sweetest little female Monkey. Call us nutty but it was a really neat experience.

Ok...now pray for me and my connection. I'm about to send this one off. I'll have more blogs to post from here complete with pictures once I am back to a serious connection.

Elaine
(writing from Panama, Central America today)