TPTW. Keep moving on....

[naildoctor]

By the way, are there any Geeks who were in business in the last economic downturn? What did you all think then? Or maybe this is something for a different thread altogether? xx[/quote]

Redsadie-
We had a bit of a downturn a while back. This really proved a lot of things to me-people will still have their nails done. You will lose a few, but sometimes they show up again after going without or to a NSS. I always try to make it ok to leave because if you are anything but kind about it, you'll never see them again!

 

[Doorie]

Where do you see yourself in 1 years time professionally? exactly on year, I'll start full time as a Nail Art consultant and resp for the nail art dept and technic/product support
Would you like to work in a salon/mobile/from home?oooh no! lol. I'll have my little showroom instead
Would you like to own a salon? not yet. maybe within a decade lol
Would you like to become an educator? I'll be in one year starting as an educator for nail art, n within a few months for the rest
Or are you happy as you are? obviously, I ain't for now as I am not doing what I want all the time. but the winds are changing for me and with my nail art range coming it'll be a good start
Do you feel as though the "hobbyist type" techs are taking your business away? Especially at the prices they offer..... no, we don't play in the same squarres if you see what I mean

Do you class these techs as competition? Or merely glance at them and think "here today..gone tomorrow" as a lot of them are. again, I pretty much don't care. but yeah, usually they don't last long

What courses are you planning on taking to further yourself? I have a lot planned with master artists/master class
Do you think you offer enough services? hell yeah lol
What about add ons? Do you offer any?

Would you go back to college and do your teaching courses? well I'll be teaching lol

Or are you thinking "WHAT THE HELL.....I've had it with this malarkey and am going to work in Marks and Spencer etc"
Do you hard to build up a client base and this make you disheartened? I don't really have this problem as I have just very few clients, cuz I have no time to do more, and I do have a waiting list
Or is it the fact that a lot of people find our services as an extra they can ill afford atm? na, it's just a bit different, I do more pedis than extension...

 

[karentriff]

No hun that's certainly not what is implied in the thread.
Many nail techs have fantastic businesses working mobile and at home.:hug:

Another question??
I personally think it's a lot of hobby techs that destroy our credibility to the unknowing general public and give nail techs a bad rep.
Someone once tried to poach a client from me (quite openly in front of X) when I was there...she said "oh you're the one who does X nails?? I'm a nail tech too...but I have a proper job in the daytime!!":irked:
I kept my cool and my face straight and said "oh where did you study your A&P and product chemistry? What systems do you use? "
She said "ermmm I just did a course one day....What's A&P mean and why do you need to know about chemistry??"
Guess who looked stupid?
I know it sounds like I was being a b*tch but I think I had every right
But even the client said "how many people must say this to you? it must really get on your nerves after all the training and work you've done"
And I have to say it does.
And I see it getting worse tbh.
But can we do anything about it??

Hi Im sorry if I created some confusion. My comment regarding the implication made that mobile and home techs are hobbyists wasn't aimed at your thread hun. It was aimed at one comment in particular contained within one of the replies which was implying that techs working mobile or from home were hobbyists. This is what ruffled my feathers.
I agree with you wholly regarding hobbyists. I was working on a ladies nails recently and she told me she is a nail tech too. She said she learned from watching and helping a friend years ago. :irked:
Thankfully she said she doesn't have the time to 'do nails' these days.
Cheers
Karen

 

[fifitrix]

Times are changing, the industry is changing.
Where do you see yourself in 1 years time professionally? Hopefully with a lot more training under my belt.

Would you like to own a salon? I see this as my ultimate goal.
Would you like to become an educator? Perhaps in the very distant future.
Or are you happy as you are? Yes I am happy at the moment as I see my business growing all the time.
Do you feel as though the "hobbyist type" techs are taking your business away? Especially at the prices they offer..... No, as far I am concerned they can get on with it!

Do you class these techs as competition? Or merely glance at them and think "here today..gone tomorrow" as a lot of them are. I used to but have seen a few come and go in last couple of years, they don't bother me too much now.

What courses are you planning on taking to further yourself? There are a few I want to do
Do you think you offer enough services? I currently only offer nails.
What about add ons? Do you offer any?

Would you go back to college and do your teaching course?

Or are you thinking "WHAT THE HELL.....I've had it with this malarkey and am going to work in Marks and Spencer etc" I hope not, I'd spend all my time looking at everyone's nails! :lol:
Do you hard to build up a client base and this make you disheartened?
Or is it the fact that a lot of people find our services as an extra they can ill afford atm? I really can't complain about my client base at the moment as it is deff growing.

This is for all geeks in any area of the industry.....

Fab thread Judy xx

 

[milkshakerrr]

I totally agree that the industry is changing and what we need to do is learn to change with it. This is where the difficulty lies.

What I do see happening is that the whole world of beauty and nails is leading towards alot more products available over the counter for the clients to do many of their treatments themselves or with friends. Products that previously were only available from salons and for professionals.

We all know about the DIY nail kits from the likes of Argos and Tesco that are available for all to buy and there are now also the dermabrasion kits, facial peel kits, at home spray tan kits etc etc and even at home lazer hair removal kits and the list of DIY kits is ever growing. The great amount of information that is available to clients via the internet is more than ever before on how to make these treatments as professional as possible via the likes of you tube and even via this site which I have no doubt that there are many diyers using all the info we discuss.

Especially with the credit crunch we are going through I can see many of our clients going down this diy route.

What I think we as an industry need to do is find a way of combatting this "new beauty route" so we dont all go out of business.

How do you see us guys coping with this?

What would the protocol be for promoting legislation (or at least some kind of punishable regulation) for requiring proper training for Techs? I've only recently moved to the UK from the States, where each state determines its own training and licensing requisites. Salons I've called in to for jobs have all asked for proof of training, so I didn't realize this was such a problem here. Is it location-specific?


Where do you see yourself in 1 years time professionally?
I've been doing nails for three-ish years and I still feel like I have a lot to learn. I'm itching to try popits, but I'm still struggling to perfect my l&p. I'm currently going through a philosophical and technical battle between my training and my CND training. I want to practice more nail art. So, in a year, I'd like to know who I am as a Nail Tech and possess a consistent quality of work and level of confidence.

Would you like to work in a salon/mobile/from home?
I miss working with another Nail Tech, but as long as I am around other people and hairdressers/beauty therapists, I will be happy. I do like being my own boss, though.

Would you like to own a salon?
Not really... I wouldn't mind management though. My mom owns the salon I worked in in Denver and it's scary.

Would you like to become an educator?
I would LOVE to be an educator! Someday I will be good enough!

Or are you happy as you are?
There is always room for improvement. =)

Do you feel as though the "hobbyist type" techs are taking your business away? Especially at the prices they offer.....
I have yet to experience this but...

Do you class these techs as competition? Or merely glance at them and think "here today..gone tomorrow" as a lot of them are.
The prices may be attractive, but repeat business is what keeps you eating. And you don't get repeat clients with crappy nails. =)

What courses are you planning on taking to further yourself?
Any CND course I can get in to.

Do you think you offer enough services?
The lady I rent from won't let me do manicures and pedicures, so eventually I want to be somewhere I can do those. I miss feet!

What about add ons? Do you offer any?
I will! Paraffin, art... I'm open to anything right now. It's overwhelming to be honest.

Would you go back to college and do your teaching courses?

Or are you thinking "WHAT THE HELL.....I've had it with this malarkey and am going to work in Marks and Spencer etc"
Haha. I have a degree in English Literature, so I would like to do a Masters and teach high school, but I'm really happy doing what I do now. =)

Do you hard to build up a client base and this make you disheartened?
I'm very lucky; no one else here does colored/glittered l&p and the girls around here are very into doing themselves up, even if just for the weekly night out. The shop has also been very willing to get clients for me.

Or is it the fact that a lot of people find our services as an extra they can ill afford atm?
I really think my location has a lot to with it. A blessing in disguise, I think...

This is for all geeks in any area of the industry.....
Thanks! This is fun. =)

 

[1999judy]

What would the protocol be for promoting legislation (or at least some kind of punishable regulation) for requiring proper training for Techs? I've only recently moved to the UK from the States, where each state determines its own training and licensing requisites. Salons I've called in to for jobs have all asked for proof of training, so I didn't realize this was such a problem here. Is it location-specific?


Where do you see yourself in 1 years time professionally?
I've been doing nails for three-ish years and I still feel like I have a lot to learn. I'm itching to try popits, but I'm still struggling to perfect my l&p. I'm currently going through a philosophical and technical battle between my training and my CND training. I want to practice more nail art. So, in a year, I'd like to know who I am as a Nail Tech and possess a consistent quality of work and level of confidence.

Would you like to work in a salon/mobile/from home?
I miss working with another Nail Tech, but as long as I am around other people and hairdressers/beauty therapists, I will be happy. I do like being my own boss, though.

Would you like to own a salon?
Not really... I wouldn't mind management though. My mom owns the salon I worked in in Denver and it's scary.

Would you like to become an educator?
I would LOVE to be an educator! Someday I will be good enough!

Or are you happy as you are?
There is always room for improvement. =)

Do you feel as though the "hobbyist type" techs are taking your business away? Especially at the prices they offer.....
I have yet to experience this but...

Do you class these techs as competition? Or merely glance at them and think "here today..gone tomorrow" as a lot of them are.
The prices may be attractive, but repeat business is what keeps you eating. And you don't get repeat clients with crappy nails. =)

What courses are you planning on taking to further yourself?
Any CND course I can get in to.

Do you think you offer enough services?
The lady I rent from won't let me do manicures and pedicures, so eventually I want to be somewhere I can do those. I miss feet!

What about add ons? Do you offer any?
I will! Paraffin, art... I'm open to anything right now. It's overwhelming to be honest.

Would you go back to college and do your teaching courses?

Or are you thinking "WHAT THE HELL.....I've had it with this malarkey and am going to work in Marks and Spencer etc"
Haha. I have a degree in English Literature, so I would like to do a Masters and teach high school, but I'm really happy doing what I do now. =)

Do you hard to build up a client base and this make you disheartened?
I'm very lucky; no one else here does colored/glittered l&p and the girls around here are very into doing themselves up, even if just for the weekly night out. The shop has also been very willing to get clients for me.

Or is it the fact that a lot of people find our services as an extra they can ill afford atm?
I really think my location has a lot to with it. A blessing in disguise, I think...

This is for all geeks in any area of the industry.....
Thanks! This is fun. =)

Tbh Habia are trying their best to work out some stuff but it won't happen overnight I guess.
It would be nice if it could be done...but I'm not holding my breath just yet tbh x