How many sets before you can get paid?

[Murnettie]

Hi there,

Im hoping to start my CND six day foundation nail tech course in September and im just doing some research before i start. On the course brochure and material, they say that after the course you should be able to start doing clients nails straight away after the course. But as the first part of the course is 3 days then two weeks to practice and then another three days, more practice and then an exam, i am wondering as to whether this is realistic. I would never unless i was 100% confident ask a client for money unless i knew i was going to do a good job and from the threads posted here i get the impression that it takes a long time to get up to scratch. So i am just wondering how long thereabouts you think it takes, would it be like ten or twenty full sets to get comfortable or a lot more?? I have no problem taking my time and practising until i get good enough but its just a general query? How many sets did you do before you started feeling comfortable? I hear that you can buy a fake hand to pratice on, has anybody used this? I know i would have friends and family who would volunteer, but i would probably want to do a set every night to try and build my experience, do these fake hands work? Any advice appreciated. I am hoping that with my tanning and nail enhancements i can save up to do my Beauty Course.

Cheers

 

[angel fingers]

you wont be proficient enough to work on paying clients straight after your course.
some people take more practice than others afterwards, it depends on the person.
i usually say that a tech should be able to do a good set in under 2 hrs that stays on for 2 weeks before they can charge salon prices.
up to this point there will be various stages at which you could charge a proportion of the salon price.
as long as you get well finished nails that are lasting then the timing issue will sort itself out along the way.

enjoy your course, dont be discouraged if you are not as good as you thought you would be right away and have faith that if other people can do it then theres every chance that you will be able to when you have had training and practice.

 

[Murnettie]

Cheers for that, i was thinking myself that it sounded too quick!! But thats a great way of looking at it i.e. two hours doing and two weeks on!! i'll be keeping an eye on all my guinne pigs so. Yeah im sure it'll be difficult starting off and that i'll be anything but perfect but as you say just keep doing it and practising and hopefully i'll improve in time.

 

[angel fingers]

oh and to answer the other point,the nail trainer hand although an expensive investment is excellent.
it will never replace practice on live models but will certainly help you nhone your skills if you use it in addition .

 

[newbie_morgan]

I was just about to ask the same question I am looking to do the same course. I've looked at other short courses so to speak and been put off them as I didn't think I would have learned enough by the end of the courses. But due to the high praise from other people on here I thought I'd give it a go. Doesn't look like I am going to be able to fit in the course before you do yours so you'll have to let me know how it goes.

 

[geeg]

Ladies, the reputation of CND training is the highest there is. Having said that, I think you are reading more than the brochure is actually saying.

I have never in 25 years heard anyone at CND make a promise that a student fresh off a CND foundation course would be totally competent to start a business of nails. What you will be able to do (which is what it says) is to start doing clients, volunteers, etc safely, armed with the knowledge you have been given and demonstrated that you know through assessments that you have passed. And, YES, you should be charging from day one on models/clients/volunteers for you products if nothing else.

It is obvious right from the start with CND that further skill building classes are necessary right up to Master Level and that training is life long at CND. That has always been our company culture.

As far as timing goes, I think this has only scant importance when judging whether or not one is fit to start charging full price. Far more important than timing is the quality and beauty of the fin¡shed nails that you can produce in that time. Skill not time is the deciding factor when charging full price.

 

[gemma0408]

You should charge a reduced price and advertise that your a junior technician which is why your so cheap! If you explain to clients why your so cheap then your covering yourself. You have to start somewhere and can't offer a FREE service! xxxx

 

[geeg]

You should charge a reduced price and advertise that your a junior technician which is why your so cheap! If you explain to clients why your so cheap then your covering yourself. You have to start somewhere and can't offer a FREE service! xxxx

It is a big responsibility to actually give GOOD advice that will HELP the poster get started on the right track. Telling someone to explain why they are CHEAP is not upholding that responsibility in my opinion. Nor do we need to explain to any client that we are 'covering' ourselves or our costs;. It is none of their business frankly.

I would never encourage anyone to ever even use the word cheap nor the word discount (I know the poster did not mention 'discount', before someone leaps on that bandwagon) for that matter when talking about themselves or their business.

My advise to you, IF the subject comes up as to why you are charging less than someone else, would be to simply say .. " to encourage people to book my services so that I can work with as many people as possible to help with my timings and my technique." I would explain that, "for a limited time I will be offering myself at a reduced price to help with that aim." and that "From 'such and such a day' I will be operating at the normal prices a good technician would charge." I hope this helps.

Cheap and discount are two words that are not in my vocabulary and certainly never be used in a professional context in my very humble opinion.

 

[Murnettie]

Excellent advice!!! Thats a good idea saying that im improving timing etc for a limited period and that i charge full price other days

 

[mary1981]

I totally agree with every word Geeg has advised hun. Initially when i practised on friends and family i made sure a covered my costs, the only free sets i have done was my boyfriend's mum for part of a birthday present, and my model for my assessment. When i gained confidence from this and my nail trainer i advertised at my chosen price for a limited time. I didnt state the reason and only explained when asked, and used a very similar explanation about timings etc. I found everyone happy with this and respected that fact that the price would increase too. Wording is so important in advertising and the conclusions people draw, like enhancements sounds so much nicer than just acrylic nails, or forever french compared to pink and white.

Also, i love my nail trainer, its been such a worthwhile investment, and means you can practise to your hearts content, even when you've only half an hour to spare. I'm sure i'll be using mine for years to come
Hope that helps, and enjoy your training hun xxx