My tips keep splitting/lack of training/insurance/cowboys

[geeg]

One of the worst threats to our reputation as professionals is the number of cowboys, people playing at nails or the 'kitchen mafia' as I call them ... and why are they a problem ??? because we carry on supporting the suppliers who sell pro products to the likes of these people because they don't care who buys and they are greedy.

I as a pro would never buy a thing from a pro supplier who supplied the public and if you want the proof that they are doing it then just ring up, pretend to be joe bloggs and try to buy ... if they let you then strike them off your supplier list. Why do we help these unscrupulous suppliers cut our throats in business??? I've done it .. never been asked for a certificate or nada. You'd be very surprised who are the ones who claim to only sell to pros but who sell to anyone with no proof of education. Think about it.

 

[Nataliya]

My brother laughs at me when I spend my Christmas/birthday money on Another nail course/book. Saying don't you know it all already ,so does my husband ( lol they are sad people))).

I agree with geeks below that we should not give out lots of info as it is cheeky. Although would be glad enough to help a fellow geek anytime!!

Why? Had experienced it all before. Showed a girl at salon how I do French polish who then went and told everyone else that she discovered it herself and took all the credit. I felt sad fir her. I took years of practice, tears and nail polish remover to get that French perfect.

Pc world charges around 80 quid to reboot your pc/laptop. I wonder why they dont show you how to do it for free? ( that's me being sarcastic!)

if you can't afford the training and can't save upfor it you simply don't have the passion. I have disabled husband who does not work, I work nearly 50 hours per week to keep us going , and I still can save for all things nails.

Buying from god knows where - been there, done that , dud not get the t-shirt though, but got a slap. Bought a gel of Ebay years ago which arrived empty. No money no gel just disappointment. Hate buying online anyway. It's the experience that counts. I go to the centre, I get what I need and get a chat with my fantactic mentors, who are always there for me.

We are not agressive we are defensive of our so important to us and yet so fragile at times industry!

 

[user 25446]

I agree with Geeg and the other comments regarding suppliers who sell to non-professionals. We should also ask where the low cost salons get their products from - because it's factories not controlling their distribution channels that are causing the problem of dental products being used in nail salons.

And here's another shocker I learnt in Germany a week ago - apparently there is a company that sells nail technician diploma's for 3 Euro!

With so many people undermining the professionalism of this industry, what can you as a prof nail tech do?

1. Only buy products from suppliers that don't sell to non-professionals (as Geeg said)

2. Do an education at least once a year. Show your customers that you keep up with the latest techniques and are serious. Hang your diploma's on your wall in nice picture frames (preferably behind your desk so each client has to look at them for 1.5 hours each time!) and put these on your website

3. Seriously think about entering competitions to develop your time and technique further. You will also add to your diploma's.

4. Dress as a professional. Too many nail techs don't look professional - sorry to say this. Wear a uniform and make sure you are groomed. How can you sell beauty if you don't embody that image?

5. Expect to be treated with respect. Don't let customers walk over you. Your time is valuable and you are a professional!

Take a look at yourself and try to see yourself as a new customer might. We're all so busy that we forget to do this - but it's a useful technique to see how we can improve and gain a higher respect from clients.

And to potential nail techs - get an education with a company that has a good reputation. Two day courses are junk - no one will persuade me otherwise. If you want to save money on education, then please find another business to do.

 

[Susie H]

Yes hun, honestly it's that high! I'm paying £85.96 a month for four months.

My father paid £149 last year for the building and contents insurance and because I don't own the property, the only way I can take out Public Liability insurance is to take out the Contents as well. The reason why the price is sooo high is because of "Slippage" which means the more people who enter your home, the more chance of someone slipping or tripping (again, this is what the insurance company told me)

This is the cheapest insurance I could get. Like I say, it's because I don't own the property and my father doesn't own the business, hence why we've both had to take out separate polices. I can't take out the buildings insurance cos I don't own the house.

I had a nightmare a few weeks ago, trying to find someone who would insure me. I can only speak for my own personal circumstances, but that is how much i'm having to pay.

The company i'm with is FORTIS.

What I would say is NEVER ASSUME you are covered for anything where insurance is concerned. I've gone through this with a fine tooth combe to make sure i'm covered for what I need it to be covered for.

PS. My college tutor told me to contact Babtac who referred me to an insurance company (sorry I can't remember their name) but their insurance worked out even more expensive than what i'm paying now. x

Hi there, just wanted to let you know, I have a home salon in my council home. I insure with Salon Gold, they now do home contents insurance to complement the salon insurance and I've saved myself an absolute fortune with them, it's all on line so nice and easy, they are worth having a look at for when you need to renew x
Sorry to the original poster for high jacking your thread.
I'd like to assure you, I was not in any way having a dig at you. Just wanted to alert you to the risks.
Re training, a lot of colleges now offer Nail technologies as a part time course. If you are receiving council tax or rent benefit or are on income support then you only pay for the exam which is £50.
Just to make you smile, when I first got the idea of becoming a nail tech, I went to Tesco's and bought a kit. My poor daughter was my victim. What a mess! I knew right there and then that I needed help if I was going to take this seriously.
To train with CND I sold a heck of a lot of my stuff. Stopped smoking and didn't have a night out for 6 months. But it was worth it.
Good luck hun and remember the power of positive thinking. Never say, 'I can't do it' Say. 'I need to find a way to do it' It will happen, a lot of the ladies and gents on here can attest to that