I’m Being Petty?

Reader Submission

Myself and Tech A were doing a large party of teen girls on Saturday.  We both could only work to a certain time due to other plans.  Tech B was also working, but was fully booked.  Myself and Tech A were booked tight and these appointments were made over a month ago. 

Two days before the appointments, the host called to see if she could add two more people.  I explained that Myself, and Tech A were totally booked with their party as well as Tech B, who would also be there.  Imagine my surprise when I come in to work on Saturday and receive a call from the host to see which type of appointment was available for the two add-ons since we were doing hands or feet and it depended on if a pedicure chair was open.

I was confused since I specifically told her that we didn’t have anywhere to add two more people.  She replied that she had called earlier and that Tech B said it would be okay.  So, I ASSUMED that Tech B had an opening and put them in with her.  I checked the book and NO, there was no indication that two people had been added to our very busy schedule for that day.

I asked Tech B about it and she said, yes, I told them to bring them, someone could do them.  I asked WHO was doing them and she just looked at me like what a dumb question.  I asked where they were in the book, she said she didn’t write them in because she had no idea what the plans were for that group.  Again, I asked who is doing them.

To top it all off, Tech B had a cancellation and moved her last two people UP so she could leave early.  SHE could have serviced the two add-ons that SHE said we could do.  NOPE. She left early and I had to stay an hour over and I was late for the concert I was going to.

Tech B has the nerve to say I over reacted and was being petty.  Really?  Oh and I am the salon owner.

Signed, So I am Being Petty???

Disappointed In My Mentor

Reader Submission

I’ve wanted to write this and send this to you for sometime now.  Recently things have gotten so out of control, I have no choice, but to write this all down and vent.  Anonymously, of course.

When I was a brand, new nail tech, I found a mentor online.  She lived hours from me, but she was willing to help me online.  She guided me in the beginning of my career and for that I am forever grateful. 

Through the years, I progressed in my career and my skills.  My mentor did not.  It came to a point where I surpassed her.  I am not being conceited.  It’s a fact and one that is noticed by others.  I have tried to pass on to her, what I’ve learned.  She is older.  She is stubborn and I am finally able to admit this to myself, she is jealous.

She has recently been very horrible to me, not directly, but I am not stupid.  She has talked behind my back to people who are mutual friends.  These friends have shared with me the things she is saying about me.  Things that are totally not true.  She is saying these things to get people to not like me to make herself look superior.  What is interesting, is that instead of that happening, these people are true friends to me and are telling me what she is doing and what she is saying.

I can’t tell you how disappointed this makes me.  This is someone who I looked up to.  Someone who I admired.  Now, she is someone that I pity.

I pity her because she can’t see how mean and hateful she is being.  I pity her because she can’t see what a hypocrite she is when she puts down others for being mean and being bullies, yet she is one and the same.  I pity her because she can’t see that she is stuck in the past and she needs to move into the future, yet she is too stubborn to do so.  I pity her because instead of taking offers to help or take suggestions from others, she has to discount every single thing that others say.  She has to one up others constantly.

I will take this as my final lesson from my mentor.  This is a lesson of what NOT to be.  I will never be a person that is jealous of someone that I helped, just because they turned out to exceed me in skills.

Sincerely,

Disappointed in my Mentor

Follower Friday - Reader Submissions 15

Here's a lil reminder...some clients just CAN'T be told everything you do for them. Fabulous stylist, mistaking her client for an educated client...discussed her work while styling: "This time your low lights are still looking good, so we didn't need to redo those, so I broke your base and threw some nice highlights up on top to blend that base in." Client only heard "no need to redo low lights"....and texts me (the person who does her lashes) on Sunday morning...at 5:45a.m. multiple texts ranting about how her hair looks like she did it herself--it's "all the same color, no variation"... Wrong on soooo many levels! Sunday? 5:45am? (get a life!) I am not your hair stylist!

I did not reply...Sunday is my sacred day and I do not do business that day. Sunday night at 8:30 I get another long rambling set of texts...and copies of the same texts she'd sent to the stylist. Holy crap! I waited til the next day (still my day off...but still....) to say that the stylist is extremely talented and I am sure she used her professional eye to be sure the color looked great, but if your eye is not pleased, I am sure she will be happy to tweak it. Sheesh!
******
Phone Conversation: Me: What days/times are you available?
Client: Any day after 4:00.
Me: How about today at 4:30?
Client: No it's my mother's birthday
Me: How about tomorrow at 5:00?
Client: No, I have kick boxing.
Me: How about Friday at 3:30?
Client: No I have to get my car inspected on Friday.

WHAT PART OF THE QUESTION DID SHE NOT UNDERSTAND????
******
You work the same days and times each week.  Your children are adults.  Why do they need to call you 10 plus times a day.  It's ridiculous.  If it's an emergency, have them call the salon, shut your ef'n phone off!!!!!!
Laziness is not a becoming quality to have.


I am sorry that you don't like the color that you have on, that you decided an hour later that you can live any longer if it is on your toes.  You picked it.  I will not redo it for free.  Choose you color more wisely next time.


People who can't take constructive criticism, or can't be open to suggestions will not have a clientele for long.


I AM A CLIENT!  I am sick and tired of you talking on your cell phone while you are doing my nails.  "I" am paying for your time.  I am not paying you to talk on the phone and multi-task by doing my nails.  It's incredibly rude and I am not going to put up with it again.  The next time you answer your phone, I am going to pull my hands away and  give you privacy for your phone call.  You can continue working on me when you end your call.


Why can some people not see how incredibly filthy their station is.  Just take a few minutes to clean your station.  It makes a world of difference.


Some need to quit making excuses for their client's nails being a mess when they come in.  If it was one or two clients, you can blame them for not taking care of them.  When nearly all of your clients are a mess, it's time to start looking at yourself.  YOU are the problem.  You need to figure out what you are doing wrong and correct it.  Stop passing the buck onto the client.


I am so glad we got WiFi in the salon.  Now some are doing even less than they did before.  Instead of doing things that need to be done like returning phone calls or restocking things, we are playing games.  Lovely.


If you don't want that string, hair, fuzzie or whatever it is that you are picking off of yourself, on your body, I sure as hell don't want it on my floor.  Throw it in the trash.


A COWARD is someone who posts on Facebook with passive aggressive, cryptic status messages.  Grow a pair.
Those who criticize others are usually lacking in the same areas that they are criticizing in.


Those shortcuts that you are taking to do the client as fast as you can, so you can get on FB are going to bite you in the ass in two weeks.


I am so sorry that I filled your two hour gap with a full set of nails and bling toes.  I guess you didn't want the $120 in services, you wanted to go run errands.  Are you here to work or not?  Now if you were still open, you would be bitching that you had gaps.  I can't win.  Do you want to work or not????

Who Makes This List?

Okay, this photo has been floating around Facebook for a couple of days.  This is the second time I have seen this "List", maybe even the third time.  Each time I've seen this list I had the same though, "Who in the hell made this list?"

Now, don't get me wrong, there are a number of people on that list that deserve to be on that list.  Then there are those on there that you are like, who the hell is that?  I've been around the block in the past 18 years, I know a lot of people.

So, who actually makes this list?  What's their criteria for making this list?  To me, it looks like any company that submits an "Educator" and I use that term loosely, is ranked based on what classes they teach at shows and what industry events they participate in.

This list is a sham.  You know it and I know it.  This list is lacking.  Even though you can't see the whole list of 40, you have to ask yourself, where is Holly Schippers?  Where is Elaine Watson?  Where is Lynn Lammers?  Where is Joseph Pham?  These people are more talented than some on those list, they educate tirelessly to make us all better professionals.  Where are they?  Maybe they were too humble to toot their own horn.

--Nancy

Is Your Second Face Pretty?

Recently, I came across some postings of someone who was criticizing work that was being done at a beauty show.  I decided to look this tech up.  OMG.  Talk about the pot calling the kettle black!  Her work was subpar, at best, yet here she is criticizing the people who are trying to make her a better nail tech.

Maybe if people, like this tech, would get off of their high horse and quit trying to revel in the mistakes of others and actually try to learn from someone, maybe they can be as awesome as they THINK they are.  Because it is clear to see, they need help.

I just shake my head at some of these people in this industry.  If you are out there, putting yourself out and trying to make a difference and make people better professionals, KUDOS to you.  Don’t let these jealous bitches, who can’t do a decent nail to save their life cut you down.  Carry on.

--Nancy

Let Me Help You!

So, I've already got one illegal salon shut down and now I am working on a few others.   I want to shut as many as possible down.

We've all been in the position, at one point in our careers, where we have a local salon or even a salon we work in or have worked in, that are blatantly thumbing their nose at the law.  What do you do?  If you turn them in and they find out who you are, they say you are jealous.  That you are only doing it because they are your competition.

What if you aren't jealous, but you are just sick to death of following the rules and laws that all are to abide by and are sick and tired of everyone else breaking the rules/laws and getting away with it?  Well, let me help you!!

I will turn those salons into your state board for you!!  Now, I am not going to do all of the work, so you have to do the work for me, so that I can easily report these salons.

Things I need:

Link to your state board's site, preferably the complaint page.
Link to salon's Facebook Page or website that shows proof of wrong doing.
Photos of wrong doing.
Anything that can PROVE your case and get the attention of the state board.

Let's start cleaning up our industry.  One salon at a time!  Email me at nailtechtalk@yahoo.com or friend me Nancy Nailtech on Facebook and send me a private message.  I will submit everything under my name and keep you totally anonymous.

--Nancy

Follower Friday - Reader Submissions 14

Is it really necessary to call six times about a simple manicure and pedicure appointment over three weeks.  THEN, call and cancel that appointment the day of the appointment.  Why did you waste all of our time on all of those phone calls only for you to cancel.  Go someplace else next time.

I am really sick and tired of people asking for one service and booking it and when they get in your chair, they want something totally different than what you discussed on the phone.  Are people drinking stupid juice?

Thank you so much for coming in for a full set of nails on with NSS “Shellac” already on your nails and not letting us know you had it on and it needs to be removed.  You have colored gel on your nails, which we finally figured out 30 minutes into your appointment when it would not soak off.

Person leaves a message, we call back and leave a message, person calls back to confirm message, we have to call back again, person calls back to confirm message again.  How about you listen to the message and understand it.  No need for all these unnecessary messages and call backs.

Do you really think we can discuss nail options via text???

So, you thought your appointment was at 2, when it was at noon, yet the text you received, and that you agreed to, clearly states noon.  But this was a misunderstanding?  Um, no, it’s a no show and you owe a fee.

I love when things grow legs and run away in the salon, without anyone seeing it.

Shut DOWN!

Well, I got an illegal salon shut down.  Now the offender is crying foul.  She says she's been licensed since 1998 and only does nails (in her home, illegally) for family and friends and she doesn't charge.  Well, I am sure her state board found the following items just as incriminating as I did.

• Why do you have a BUSINESS Facebook Page then?
• With a business name?
• If you aren't charging, then why are you telling people how much you charge when they ask?

I totally call bullshit.  You were caught fair and square.  Now you want to change your story.  I think the most ridiculous statement you made was:

"I am up to code on everything and have my nail license and was unaware of having to have a salon license since Im not a salon, I don't do hair!!!"

So, only people who do hair have to have a salon license?  Really?  Are you really that stupid?  Further, I doubt that you are "Up to code on everything".  I am certain that your salon does NOT meet the following requirements that your state REQUIRES for an in home salon:

• To have an entrance that allows you to enter from the street and not through any part of the home.
• To have a bathroom that is only used for the salon.
• That you have a minimum area of 180 square feet and a minimum width of 10 feet.
• That you have the minimum furniture and equipment listed, which includes a manicure table, two chairs, pedicure basin and a RECEPTION DESK.

I highly doubt that you meet all of the requirements above, since most home owner's have to do major renovations to meet state board requirements.

You are now encouraging all of your "family and friends" who you have been servicing, (I lost count after 80) write on your ILLEGAL businesses wall so that state board can see their support.  REALLY???

Do you not get it through your head that you are BREAKING THE LAW.  That is why state board shut you down!  They don't give a shit what your family and friends have to say.  Actually, this is not going to help you, it's only going to prove HOW MUCH illegal activity you have been doing!  You are ensuring a fine and loss of your license.

I don't feel bad for you one bit.  You broke the law.  You are now angry that you got caught.  Sorry, you can trash the Vietnamese salons all you want, but you know what?  You are no better than the worst of them AND some of them are better than you are.  They are legal.

--Nancy

Reader Submissions 14

oh oh oh I have one.... no you can not buy a jar of the acrylic powder(custom blended colour that I made up because you didn't like any of the existing 5 colour options for your nail bed) from me so that if you go to another tech you will have the colour you love.  I'm not the only one who has noticed your negative attitude about everything either- we've had clients ask not to be booked in for their hair or nail appointments when you are in for an appointment because your moaning gave them a headache.  Yes I realise I am moaning now but I'm about to go to work to do your nails, then a deluxe pedi and then your waxing- I have you for the next 2-3 hours *shudders* 

So it's okay for you to move your appointment around constantly, but it's not okay for me to be sick and have to stay home in bed?

Please quit bathing in your perfume.  You smell like a French whore and you make everyone in the salon sick when you come in.

Flush the toilet.  You are not five.

When a client comes in and is totally going on and on about how horrible their last salon was, it makes me want to never rebook them because it's just a matter of time before I am the subject of that same story.

If you have been to four different salons and had problems with your nails, what makes you think I have a magic wand to make things successful?  After FIVE different techs work on you, it is obvious that YOU are the problem.

I cringe when I hear my co-worker ask "Do you want change back?"  Never ask for a tip.  Just give the person their change and let them give you a tip if they want to.  Worse is when she takes a credit card and asks "Do you want to put a tip on here?"   There are much better ways to handle these things.

Pretend manicurists are really starting to piss me off.

Hey crazy, take your crazy and find someone else to put up with your crazy.

Manufacturers - You REALLY need to make your items acetone resistant!  We use acetone for crying out loud.  I am sick to death of paying top dollar for your stuff only to have it ruined by a tech that is sloppy with her acetone.

Thank you big, expensive, nail manufacturer for charging me an arm and a leg for a brush, that all of the hairs fall out and then tell me that I didn't take care of it right.  I've been doing nails for 10 years and never had a problem with a brush like this.

Who Are You?

I hear the murmurings.  I see the insinuations.  I am not blind, nor am I dumb.  I see that some are claiming that they know my identity.  I have to laugh, because some of those claiming it the most, I have never met in my entire life and never and an interaction with until I became anonymous.

How do I know so much, you ask?  Well it’s not hard.  It’s very easy to see things via Facebook and the Internet.  Even though I am not friends with everyone, I can still see most of your interactions with others that I am friends with.

I see how two faced some people are.  How they openly talk about others thinking that they can’t see it just because they adjusted the privacy settings so that the person they are talking about can’t see it.  Someone may have their account set to friends only and I am not your friend, but when one of my friends comments on your stuff  “I” can then see it all.

So, it doesn’t take someone in the know, or someone who is wildly known to see and know things.  Even a newbie to the industry could do the same.

So, why is it so important that people know who I am?  Is it because I called you out on something?  You didn’t like what I had to say?  Maybe something written has hit a little close to home and hurt your widdle feelings?  Grow up.   Learn from it.  Move on and be a better person because of it.

To those who are certain you know who I am.  Prove it.  I know you don’t have it.  Truth is, I could be anyone.  I could be your competitor next door.  I could be the tech working in the chair next to you.  I could be your best friend.  I could be your boss, or I could be the booth renter that you abuse.  See, no one knows for certain who I am.  No one that is, but me. 

--Nancy

Reader Submissions 13

You are not all that.  You may think you are, but you are not.  Anyone can be anyone they want online and it is clear that you are not what you think you are.  So take your holier than thou attitude and shove it up your ass.  Go do some nails and quit trying to tell people what to do all of the time.  Maybe if you were busier at your nail table you wouldn’t have all this extra time to be all up in everyone else’s business. 

Why do my client’s misbehave when I am off sick and one of the other girls in the salon does their nails?  They wouldn’t come in 30 minutes late with me and expect me to do their nails, why do they expect others?  I am ticked.

How many family emergencies before you finally say to someone that this is too many, you need to pay the late cancellation fee.  They find out that emergencies give you slack so they use that each and every time.

Why don’t nail companies answer their emails?

Hey OPI, your Gel Color sucks ass.  Just like your polish did.  I can’t believe people buy this crap.

Some people need to take their nose out of the air.  We all wipe our butts the same way.  You are not better than me.

I am sickened by how many people think that they can eat at their nail appointment.

Thank you to the inconsiderate jerk who shared their sickness with me.  We don’t get sickdays when we are self-employed.  Next time, reschedule your appointment when you are sick.

Too many people lie to your face.  Why can’t you just admit you did something wrong.  It will gain you more respect, admitting it, than you do by lying to cover it up.

I’m sorry, I know it’s trendy, but putting nail foil on your lips makes you look trashy and like you are trying too hard.  It’s NAIL FOIL that you can get for $1 at Dollar Nail Art! 

Please remove your 999 bottles of juice, that are half filled in the salon fridge.  It’s a shame when we can’t put anything in there because you have a years supply of daily bottles in there.  Other people work here too.

If you can’t afford your nail appointment, don’t make one.  NO we can’t do your nails today and have you pay next week.  Also, don’t tell us this after we have finished your service.  Please do not call to rebook.

Follower Friday - Reader Submissions 12

You are one of two clients, who still wear polish.  I don’t want to hear how your sister’s polish lasts forever, she is wearing gel polish, which you refuse to use.  Go take the walk of shame to the back of the salon, where the polish is.

One day, I am going to go and use the stylist’s hair scissors to open a package.  That will serve them right.  Maybe they will respect my tools then.

What the hell kind of names are Red 101 and Blue 102?  Did your creative department quit on you?

Dear Client:  We have been hearing about your marital troubles for over a year now.  If you aren’t going to leave him, we really don’t have the patience to be sympathetic any longer.

I am so sick and tired of the hairdressers in my salon getting their nails done at the chop shops.  That doesn’t promote me at all.  I am going to get my hair done at SuperCuts from now on.

So, it was a mutual agreement?  They didn’t fire you?  Right…….

1990 called and they want your nails back.

Why do so many people waste time trying to recreate things.  Why not just use what you already have available to you?

I have seen ridiculous statements made by both political sides.  I am sick of reading it.  You people are ridiculous if you 100 percent believe the side that you back.

Sometimes, it takes all I can do, to not reach out and smack you in the head.  You annoy me. 

ISSE Long Beach

For the most part, this show was pretty good.  There are only a few things that made me want to go postal and I will share them with you.

SUITCASES.  Really.  Why do you need to bring a freaking suitcase with you and fill it up.  First off, it says in the brochure that they are prohibited, yet they still allow people to bring them in.  Now I totally understand if you are a nail or hair competitor, you need to have a case to bring your supplies with you.  I am talking about these women that haul around up to three suitcases filled with shampoo, conditioner, etc.  Don’t you realize that most of these companies will ship these items to you for FREE?

It’s quite funny, actually, to sit there and watch people, who aren’t paying attention, in awe of the show, wait for someone to pass, only to trip over the giant suitcase that they are trailing behind them.  Or how about the ignorant ones with those suitcases, who prop them all up against prime counter space to make their next purchase.  Five other people are now not able to get waited on because you and your mountain of luggage are taking up the space of 10 people.

Next, we have the loud, blaring music and the people with microphones.  I think everyone is trying to out yell the next person.  There’s nothing worse, than trying to visit a booth and you can’t because the neighboring booth has people crowded all in the walkway and you can’t walk through, let alone visit the booth.  You also can’t hear the demo because the booth next door has their platform artist screaming into a head mic.  My ears have been raped for the year.

How about the people, who can’t respect your personal space?  You are intently watching a demo, only to have someone, stick their head, directly in your view.  Ummmmm, hello!  I can’t see through you!  Wait your turn, like I did, to be able to be up front to see.

This last one is just a little pet peeve of mine.  Why do women teeter around the show in those stiletto heels?  You can tell they are hard to walk in on that show floor carpeting.  Walking miles each day on the showroom floor is probably growing the most wonderful bunions on their feet.  I am all for looking cute, but you can look cute in practical shoes too.  You don’t have to look like a hooker ever day.

Some of these stylists seem to try to one up each other in the shock value of their clothing.  I mean, I saw a grown man that looked like a human Dalmatian.  His hair was shaved and dyed platinum with black spots and then he had on an awful, matching spotted suit. 

Gelish has to be commended for keeping on the cusp of everything that’s new.  Last year, they gave us the Rio collection of neon soak off gel colors, last fall it was the Auroras, shimmering, glittery top layers.  This year, they gave us Magneto, soak off gel with magnetic additives in it so that when you use the magnet that comes with it, you get a really cool pattern.  Hey CND and Young Nails!  What did you give us new?  Oh some new colors.  Those aren’t anything to get excited about, hell half of them look exactly like colors you already have.  MAGNETO is something to get excited about!!  You better stop sitting on your laurels or Gelish is going to run circles around you come Premiere Orlando.

I checked out the Nailpro Competition area.  I was very pleased to see that they finally added some interesting competitions to the schedule for this year.  Competitions that represent what most of us are doing in the salon daily.  They had a Soak Off Gel art competion.  I loved this one!!!  They also had a stiletto competition that required a minimum of two inches in length. 

My only complaint is, unless you were there and in the right spot at the right moment, you don’t get to see these beautiful creations.  Nailpro, you are a magazine for goodness sakes.  Why can’t you take a photo of each and every entry and upload it to your Facebook page for everyone to enjoy.  It costs you NOTHING but the few minutes it would take to snap the photos and upload them.

Think of all the technicians who would love to see these nails.  Think of the thrill a competitor would have, seeing their creation on your page!

Oh and another thing, I think you need to finally put Salon Success to rest.  Let’s face it.  These nails do NOT represent the nails that we do in the salon, day in and day out.  These are not the nails that bring us the money.  Times have changed and so should this competition.

All in all, it’s been many years since I’ve attended this show and I am glad I was able to take some time and attend this year.  Now, I have to decide if Orlando is going to happen this year.

--Nancy

It's Show Season!!

I've been a little MIA for awhile.  Truth is, I've been working by behind off so that I can take some time off to attend one of the largest beauty shows of the year.  Actually, it is the kick off to show season.  Yes, that's right, I am going to be at ISSE Long Beach!

Actually, I am already here.  I arrived Thursday evening so that I could attend a class before the show.  The show begins at 1:00 today and continues through Monday.

I've already started compiling a list for a "Thing's I've always wanted to say at a Beauty Show".  I am sure those of you, who attend big shows will totally relate to most of them.

If you are going to be at the ISSE Long Beach show.  Look for me!  MEOW!!!

--Nancy

Follower Friday - Reader Submissions 11

Newborns do not need an appointment for a mani/pedi.  EVER.

Why must smokers litter our parking lot with their cigarette butts?  Why can't they use the container, provided to them for that purpose?

Sticking your fingers, into your mouth, right before I put gel on them contaminates them.  Do you really think that it's a good idea to do that?

I am sick and tired of people calling at the last minute to say that they can't come to their appointment.  Did they just find out about the scheduling conflict?  I don't think so.  People are rude.

Just Sayin' - Every time you use that phrase, I want to hit you.  In the head.  With a 2 x 4.  Just Sayin' ;o)

Passive aggressive people, especially on Facebook, piss me off.  You really got some Cyber Balls.  I bet you are a coward in real life.

Pay your rent on time, pay your rent on time, pay your rent on time.  PLEASE.  I have bills too!

People need to concern themselves with their own life and their own businesses and stay out of others lives and businesses.  If they put as much energy into their business as they do in meddling, they would have a salon that didn't warrant worrying what others are doing.

I really hope you don't get a lot of these everyday cause I need help :)! I am a newly licensed nail tech. I do acrylics but I want to master nails!  I want to learn gel, and shellac.  Where can I get info (besides you tube) that do tutorials, nail shows or classes, or ways to help me build clientele ( I currently am doing booth rental  and it is killing me) I don't have any clientele yet except the people I work with! Do you know of any classes near Norfolk, VA.   Sincerely,  Confused  Newbie!!

My Honest Feedback

I recieved an email from a reader:

"Are you going to post any honest updates about the Lomasi Gel Line? I don't "want" to feel like I have to call Habib and I don't appreciate the secrecy around things...but my curiosity is killin' me! Sigh."

It seems as though Young Nails way to handle this is for you to call and talk directly to the CEO, Habib.  They will not be issuing a statement, they will not be answering the numerous questions on their Facebook Page and it seems they are not answering emails about this, just asking people to "Call Habib"

It is obvious that a great majority do NOT want to "Call Habib".  They want their questions answered and addressed without having to sit down, call someone and be told he's on another call and then wait for a return call.  Props to the guy, though, to be able to sit and talk to his customers, all day long.  It has to be exhausting, especially considering the subject.

So, I took a closer look at the whole thing, as requested.  I am still not upset about this.  DIY'ers don't concern me.  I think I agree with the statement above that the whole secrecy thing is annoying.  

BUT there is only one thing that kind of ticks me off.  The names.  Why do we, the professionals, get such stupid, generic names like Green 101 and Blue 101 and the consumer gets LANDSCAPE and ISPIRE for the exact same colors.   THAT is what ticks me off about the whole thing!

So, if you still have concerns about Young Nails selling a soak off gel polish kit to the general public, under the name Lomasi Mani Pedi, then give Habib a call at 1-800-777-9170.  Please be sure to let us know what you think of his response.


--Nancy

Friends and Family

For me, friends and family, who are clients, seem to be my most challenging ones.  They don't listen to my rules, they don't take care of their nails and they don't care if I lecture them.  Why do I put up with them?  Because I love them!  However, there are a few things I would LOVE to say to them, but, obviously, I can't, so I will now.  Here.

Mother.  I love you, I know you gave birth to me after 26 hours of labor, but for the love of all things good, can you please wash your hands, without being told, before you sit down.  Please wash them right the first time, removing all the cookie dough, bread dough, hamburger and whatever the hell you were cooking or baking, before you came into the salon, that is under your nails.

I would like to continue to work for may more years, so please do not look at your nails while I am working on them.  You are putting constant pressure in an upward motion, causing me to put constant pressure in a downward motion.  This results in me having numb hands after we are finished.

It's been 18 years .  Do not try to pay.  I won't take your money.  You are the ONLY person who is given this luxury.  Enjoy it.

Sister.  Please be on time.  When you are late, you put me behind all day long and it stresses me out.  It's not like you have a job or anything.  There is no reason for you to be late.  Your Starbucks run can wait until after your appointment.  Since you are already late, you should know exactly what you want when you sit down.  I am going to start telling you your appointment is 30 minutes before it actually is and then I think we will both be in sync.

Best Friend Barb.  I love you, but you have to stop firing up all the other techs, and their clients, in the salon with your topics.  By the time you leave, everyone is all pissed off at their husbands.  We are angry and ready to go home and castrate them with our stiletto nails.  That is my only complaint about you.

The above things, are things I would never tolerate from clients.  I guess these three get away with these things because they are family and friends and I love them.  What things do your family and friends, who are clients, do to annoy the ever living crap out of you?

--Nancy

Another Sellout?

So, it looks like all you bitchers and moaners out there that hate the manufacturers that cater to the DIY'rs can add Young Nails to your boycott list.  I, still, don't care.  DIY doesn't affect me at all.
http://www.lomasigel.com

--Nancy

Under Appreciated

Reader Submission


So I been thinking for awhile to raise my prices, I'm very inexpensive for the work that I do.


I love what I do but at the end of the day I feel overworked and under appreciated because the creativity I put out. I decided that this year I get my own place as well, so 2 weeks ago I posted a heads up I'm raising my prices by $5. Today I worked on my price list and posted it, honestly I still feel like I'm not charging enough, I cant get it through my head that I'm under cutting myself, for some reason I feel bad to charge more than I am, I know stupid on my part.


Anyway I had a client text me asking if that means her price is going up too. WOW! I didn't know how to respond especially since shes one of the reasons my prices are going up and her price is the same as everyone elses so I don't get what she meant by that. I'm a little offended she'd even ask me that. I finally text-ed her back and said "well it means everybody s price is going up"...


--Under Appreciated 

New Year's Resolutions

Readers have submitted their resolutions for 2012!

• I am going to set my schedule and STICK to it, no more adding hours and days.
• I would like to become a better nail technician and find a job!!
• I don't usually set resolutions, but my plan this year is to take (at minimum) two more CND classes, and attend at least one networking event.
• Take some CND classes hopefully 2 or 3), set and stick to a schedule, expand my art abilities, be completely booked solid at least 2 days a week-every week.  I just started this August and am still building my clients.....Christmas season rush has been awesome, tho! Booked solid every day Tuesday thru Saturday, and now that I know what it feels like I want it every day!  OH! And set up a blog with my nail art stuff to link up with Pinterest!
• I am working on rebuilding my clientele after taking a few years off.
• I'm REALLY going to build my new desk this year... really.
• I am going to take charge of my employees and hold them accountable for not following salon rules and procedures, especially paying their booth rent on time.
• I am going to implement a Cancellation/NO-Show Policy and enforce it.  Strictly.
• I am going to raise my prices.  First time in seven years!
• I am going to bring in two new services to the salon before summer.
• A cleaning schedule!  A different room will be on schedule each week so that once a month each room gets a total overhaul and in the off weeks just the normal weekly cleaning.
• We WILL get our client records in order this year!
• I want to get rid of my paper appointment book.  I want to go all online and utilize a mobile phone and laptop and online booking.  I'm scared!!
• I WILL go to Premier Orlando this year!
• Enter a competition and finish on time.
• Start using an efile.  My shoulder can't take hand filing much longer.
• I want to not only learn gels this year, I want to master them.  Better yet, I will conquer them!
• Clutter be gone.