Who's Afraid of the Big, Bad Do-It-Yourself-er?

Not me.  Come on people!  Are you really so offended by these people, who purchase product and do their own nails?  Really?  Do you really think that those people would even consider walking in your salon door?  If you think they would, if they didn't have access to things like Gelish or Sensationail, well you obviously don't think too much of your own work.

Not everyone is going to be a client of yours.  Some people are cheap and want to do things at home.  Look at the results!  The photo shown, is one that has been passed around the Internet by a lot of people.  It is a DIY'er.  WOW, don't those nails look snazzy!  So, I guess your work looks like this, huh?  Oh, it doesn't?  Then why the hell do you have a wild hair up your ass about all of this?

First everyone got all pissed off because Gelish is being sold in little, itty, bitty bottles with a tiny, battery operated UV light in Sally's.  *GASP*  Never mind that you can find other brands of acrylic and gel by your favorite manufacturers in that store, just under a different name.  I've got to give it to Danny Haile, at least he keeps it honest.  So, very few of the colors are sold, they are little bottles, big deal.  Again, the people buying these products will never be in your chair to begin with.  Calls were made to boycott Harmony Nail and all of their products.

Next we have the big uproar about Vicki Peters and company teaching the general public how to use Sensationail gel polish, by Nailene.  Again, they are teaching those who will never be in your chair how to use a product that may or may not be a professional product in a consumer package, with a consumer label, marketed to the consumer.  Knives were thrown, virtually, at Ms. Peters and her team of educational ambassadors.  Their integrity was questioned and some very nasty things were said PUBLICLY.  

Finally, last week, Jennifer Cherry of Nail Talk Radio, posted this photo of KISS nail wraps that she saw for sale.  It was immediately determined that they look very similar to Dashing Diva's new wraps.  So, what?  Is everyone going to start boycotting Dashing Diva?  Should Patricia Yankee-Williams start watching for the knives to start flying her way, since she is in a pivotal position in that company?

It's time to just shut up, get behind your table and do the best job you can do.  All this bitching and moaning and pointing fingers and boycotting is just ridiculous.  You are all pissed off about product being in the hands of people who will never be your client.  You are pissed that people are teaching those non-clients how to use their products.  You accuse companies and industry professionals of taking money out of your pocket, taking business out of your salon and taking food off your table.

If DIY'ers are hurting your business, them maybe you need to look at your business plan.  Maybe there is another reason why your business has dropped.  Maybe your skills, just aren't up to par.  Maybe you are so stuck in your ways, that you will never consider doing anything new.  I remember all the stubborn, old timers, dissing soak of gel polish when it came out.  Finally, nearly two years later, they jumped on the bus because they saw the business they were losing.  Guess what?  You are two years behind the rest of us who were innovative and took a chance on a new product.  We have now mastered it, and are now taking it to another level, while you are still at square one, trying to master application.

So stop your damn bitching about manufacturers and professionals selling you out.  No one sold you out, you sold YOURSELF out, you just refuse to stay on the cutting edge of what is happening in the nail world.  I could care less about the DIY'ers and if you do, then maybe you need to take a couple of classes because your work is obviously on par with that lovely photo at the top of this post.

--Nancy