I'm always amazed at the amount of bling which is marketed. The ad after ad of colors, shapes, sizes of nails. The many different forms of nail art from crystals, stripes, marble, gold, glitter, faces....just to name a few.
The amount of monies spent to get the latest, the greatest, the most fun. Monies which, according to most Technicians I speak with, don't get a return on their investment. Why? Because they don't charge for their nail art and design.
Yet, the Mfg's of such products are spending millions and millions of dollars advertising in our Trade and Non-Trade magazines because they know this is where the money is spent. And, our Technicians continue to spend hundreds of dollars traveling to classes.
What does this have to do with the 5 things we should NOT do in the Pedicure room?
Well, as I continue to read my stored articles, i'm reading articles and blogs from so called Professionals outside of our Industry.
I recently read an article from NailPro, written from an outside source that we should use a pumice stone to reduce a corn. WHAT?????? Now, in fairness, it was in context to additional information, however.....a pumice stone? Don't they know a pumice stone is volcanic rock? Don't they know a pumice stone can NOT be cleaned properly or sterilized? Don't they know the rock it is made out of and can break off and get imbedded in the clients skin? Arrrghhhhhhh!!!! Why??????????
My point is, someone will read that article and think it's a good idea. Someone will use a pumice stone. Someone will get an infection from a pumice stone and many of you won't know any difference. Why? Because we tend to believe everything we read.
Someone recently said to me "The Truth Hurts"...."It's Disruptive". I don't agree. I believe the truth is Educational. However, we need to be careful because not all Education is the truth. I also don't believe being a shit kicker is the way to resolve a so called "untruth". Sometimes it's just as simple as just not knowing.
As in this story I read about this outside source recommending a pumice stone. I firmly believe the person who wrote this article has never thought of a pumice stone as being volcanic rock. Will I call her out on this? No! But, I will reach out to her directly and educate her on the realities of pumice.
So, here are the 5 things you do NOT want to do in the Pedicure room!
#1 You do NOT want to believe everything you hear or read.
I've been there. It is so imperative for you to research, research, research. Mis-information is the worst kind of information you can get. Pedicures is the #1 cause of death in our Salons and Spas. It needs to be taken seriously.
If you are looking for a new brand. Research it. If you don't like something you see or read, reach out to the Mfg's direct, or a reliable source for information. Social Media, i'm sorry...is not the place to air all this out. Everything we read (including my blogs) are interpreted by everyone differently. Social Media is fuel to the fire and there are people who thrive on this type of fuel. The Mfg's deserve the respect to be given a chance to respond.
#2 Know what your needs are, not someone elses!
We all live in different areas of the Country. We have different clientele. We charge different prices. Are you a leader, or are you a follower?
I believe we can all learn from each other, but....what night work for 1 person may not work for you. It's imperative to choose the products which will be in line with the service or services you want to offer. It's imperative to choose the brands which will be financially stable for you, depending on your area.
I'm an assessor. I access a lot and then I determine what I am going to do. There are no quick decisions when it comes to offering Pedicure services. Again, this is serious Business. We should take our time to determine what best fits your needs and the needs of your clientele.
#3 Don't offer a wide variety of Pedicure options
I have this discussion with many Salons on a daily basis. Again, learning from past experiences. If you offer 3 options ranging in price from $25.00 - $65.00, which option do you think your client is going to request?
In addition, not all Pedicures are created equal, as not all people are created equal. I can't tell you how many times we booked a Pedicure for 2 people. Blocked out an hour each, only to find the two people were GrandMom age 65 and GrandDaughter age 8. Two completely different services and time frames.
The front desk should be held responsible for their series of questions asked PRIOR to the service being booked. No different than asking questions when they call for a Hair Service or even a waxing service.
Pricing should be listed as a "start as" price and customized beginning over the phone and finished by the knowledge and Professionalism of the Pedicurist.
#4 Don't ReUse the same set of tools
I hate to sound like a broken record, but again....speaking from experience, you should have an alternating sets of tools. There is absolutely no way you can properly clean and disinfect one set of tools between clients. A good majority of you use disinfectants which require a minimum of 10 minutes contact time. By the time you scrub, dry and disinfect......it's just too close.
#5 Don't underestimate your value
The biggest thing I see which happens in our Industry is underestimating the value of a Nail Technician.
Besides the fact we physically go to school to learn, study and take a test to pass, we also have to stay updated and current with health concerns. Our feet of today are entirely different than 50 years ago. Our environment has changed. External influences are greater and the risk of infection is serious....serious....serious.
There is time involved in staying educated. There is money involved in staying educated. There is passion involved in staying educated. If we want to change our image to the outside world, we must first change our image to ourselves.
#1 - How much do you want to make an hour?
In my past life at my Salon, I would ask possible team mates this question in their interview. "I don't know" is not an acceptable answer. What are you worth? there is no right or wrong number to this.
#2 What is your service cost?
Surprisingly, most people don't know. It's imperative to know for so many reasons, and figuring your Service value is one of them.
#3 What is your square footage rate?
Another number many people don't know. If your rent is $1000 per month and you have 500 sq feet, you need to make sure that every square foot of that space is bringing in at least $2.00 per square foot. If your Pedicure service area is 100 sq feet, you need $200.00 per month just for that area.
These are just a couple of items you should look at in putting a $$$ amount on paper. I haven't read it myself, but It is my understanding there is a very good book by Tina Alberino talking of this very subject. I highly suggest you look into it.
My main point here, is to help you realize....you are worth more then you think. Now is the perfect time of year to re-evaluate, organize, ask the difficult questions (of yourself) and make some hearty changes moving into 2019.
In addition, plant those seeds. Harvesting at this time of year reaps all that you can sow.
CJ, President
