Last week we spoke about the what not to do in the Pedicure room. Thank you to all of you, for your comments
This reminds me of traveling to my parents or my clients. Getting on the road is not the most fun idea ever. I can make that journey to my destination miserable by road rage or being in a hurry. Or, I can leave sufficient amount of time where I am more relaxed, listen to music and sing my little heart out in the confinement of my own space.
How does this relate to what we should do in our Pedicure room?
Working in the Pedicure room is not an easy task. We have to make sure we have all the products we need to perform the service. We must have the tools we need. Our tools, our work area needs to be cleaned and disinfected. We need to take care of our clients.
We need to do all this with a happy face. Regardless of what our clients feet look like, how they treat us, how demanding they may be and, we have to do all this within a typical 50-60 minute time frame.
In addition, add the fact that we are the first responders. Performing a Pedicure today is not like performing a Pedicure 10-15-20 or more years ago. Heck, I personally remember the days of letting my clients soak for 30 minutes in steaming hot water while I visited with other clients over their cigarette break. Crazy to think about the things we use to do.
But now, with the age of the internet, the amount of competition, our sue happy society and the fact that everyone wants “what’s in it for me”……we have to be a bit more careful, a bit more attentive, definitely more knowledgeable, more aware and just downright smarter.
So….What SHOULD we do in the pedicure room?
- Educate – this is #1 priority. All our Technicians performing foot care services should be educated above and beyond what we learn in Nail School. We all know, the very few hours of training we receive in order to obtain our license is BS. There are so many forms of education available these days. There is paid education and there is FREE education. I make no apologies for my anger in this statement. THERE IS NO EXCUSE!
- Consultation – it is so hard for me to understand how Pedicurist are still offering a Pedicure service without performing a client consultation. There are so many health challenges we face today. Many of those challenges have to be addressed prior to performing any Pedicure service. Even if you know your client and have servicing him or her for years, basic questions need to be asked. After all, a lot can happen over a 4 – 6 week period.
- Disinfection – everyone in your Salon, especially your Pedicure room should know your “proper” disinfection procedures. There should be a team meeting (at least once, if not twice per year) regarding disinfection. What are your States requirements? What are the medical challenges with the disinfections you choose? How do you handle accidents? What is the proper cleaning and disinfection procedure for the product you use? All these questions and more need to be addressed.
- Tools & implements – are you working with 1 set of tools? Impossible! There is absolutely no way 1 set of tools can be “properly” used throughout the day….if you are cleaning and disinfecting properly. You may feel like it’s too much of an expense to have more than 1 set of tools and implements. But, alternating them will give your tools longer life, increase your proficiency and give you the proper amount of time needed for proper cleaning and disinfection.
- Professionalism – it seems foolish for me to feel like I have to make this the top 5 “should’s” in the Pedicure room, but truly…..the things i’ve seen. Cell phones should be non-visible. Techs shouldn’t have drinks or food in the area. Be cognitive of how much of your breasts are exposed….dress to impress. Open toe shoes should not be worn. Gloves need to be made a priority. Hair shouldn’t be dangling over the clients feet. Image! It is very important regardless of what arena you work in.
I’ve started talking lately about the image of our Industry. Specifically nails. If our Technicians keep doing the things we’ve been doing, our image will not change.
Many of you talk about the difficult time we have in obtaining Podiatrist to partner with. Image is one of our problems. The way we are viewed upon is not desirable to the Medical profession. We have to, we MUST change it.
What is your goal for 2019? Is there “1” thing you can commit to change? A change which will better you? Better our Industry? Set your goal(s), write them down, put them into action. Only you are in control of your own Destiny. Only you and change you!
The end of the year is always a great time to start your new goals. It’s a great time to get re-motivated. It’s a great time to re-evaluate everything you do.
Proper disinfection, time management, image…..they are all important to your growth.
Are there only 5 things you should do in the Pedicure room. Probably not….there are indeed more. However, if you master these 5, you can feel confident you are beginning the process of offering a safe, professional Pedicure service.
CJ Murray, President
