Why Some Become Salon Owners

Why do some techs become Salon Owners?  Quite simply, control.  We have control over every aspect of our business.  Most of us have worked in other situations, most of them not good.  We wanted to do things better or the right way and this was the only way to do it.  On our own.

We’ve had to deal with bounced paychecks, old, expired product, no supplies, filthy salons, no sanitation or disinfection, cheap supplies bought at Sally’s and on and on.  We got tired of it, were embarrassed by it and we decided to move out on our own for a better life.

Now we have other techs working for us.  Those of us who like control, go with employees as opposed to booth renting.  With booth renting, you lose all control again, yes it is your salon, but they can do whatever they want in your salon.  So employees it is.  These employees bitch about things that really are trivial when you compare them to what we have experienced in our careers, experiences which pushed us into salon ownership.  Here are just a few of those trivial things….

The temperature.  You complain that it is cold.  Well, if you didn’t show up to work wearing only your lingerie there wouldn’t be a problem.  Sixty-Eight degrees is not cold, it is actually a great temperature for the products that we use to work optimally.  Put some clothes on if you are cold!

The music.  I don’t want to listen to gangsta rap and neither do most clients.  We have to have music that appeals to ALL, now just a few.  We have all ages, all types of people patronize our salon.  This is why we listen to a satellite station that plays a VARIETY of music.  Have you ever noticed how many people ask what station it is because they enjoy it?

The smell.  It’s a nail salon.  It will smell.  However, if you would follow the procedures set in place, the smells could be lessened.  Dumping monomer into your trash can isn’t helping.  There is no need to waste all that monomer.  Unless it is dirty there is no need to dump it out.  Only put out what you need to begin with!  Keep your acetone pumpers closed!  Empty your trash to the outside.  Seriously, it isn’t hard to keep the smells down.  Instead of complaining, figure out a solution.

The schedule.  You are in charge of your own schedule.  If it is not full enough, who’s fault is that?  Are you working or are you adding hours at the last minute.  People book one to two weeks ahead, if your hours aren’t available then, you don’t get booked.  Is it too full?  Who’s fault is that?  You booked the appointments.  Why can’t you be happy?

Seriously?  That’s what you have to bitch about?  Try going to the bank and your paycheck isn’t good.  Try coming into work and your station is all slopped up and products are missing from it and you have to go on a grand search looking for your acrylic brush. YOUR BRUSH.  Try doing a pedicure and the room is filthy with toenails and foot skin all over the floor for the client to see. 

You really don’t have it too bad.  Actually, I would have loved to have had it as good as you BEFORE I was a salon owner.

--Nancy