Archives for December 2018

Six (6) values for Success?

I have some very special people in my life. Most of whom I met through this Industry. Either through my years of Educating or my years of holding their hands and feet across the table.
One couple in particular came to me via another Salon referral. A client who wanted fiberglass wrap on her nails was turned down at the place she walked into because the Nail Technicians(s) did not know how to perform that service. They referred her over to my Salon.
As I said earlier this year at the 80th Birthday party of her husband.....when Cheri walked into my Salon almost 30 years ago, I never imagined I would have gained more than a client.
Words could never express what I have gained from that one act of knowing how to apply fiberglass nails.
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I'm saddened by the numbers I read in the Nails Magazine Big Book.  The percentage of Technicians who don't take continuing education classes.  12% all the way up to 78%  WOW!  This includes not going to trade shows, In salon training's, Online training, Distributor classes, Mfg. classes, etc.

The hazard of this lack of Education is showing up in the $$$$ average we are charging for our services.  Which, are down by 2% -10%.

DON'T YOU GET IT?   Education IS the key to success.  With Continued Education, you will gain the confidence to charge the prices we deserve in the Industry.  UGGGGGGHHHH!  I GET SO FRUSTRATED.

This makes me think back to classes i've taught over the years. The common denominator when it comes to determining our pricing is "confidence" or lack thereof.

What is confidence?

A feeling of self-assurance arising from one's appreciation of one's own abilities or qualities.

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I can't imagine my life without my good friends, or as I say my "whatever's" Cheri and Mel.  If I had not educated myself on that one service, I would have missed out on a lifetime of laughter, tears, sharing, love, friendship, family....etc etc.

Education brings more than $$$ success.  Education brings more than knowledge.  Education brings more than a certificate on the wall.  It brings a lifetime of opportunities, open doors and unlimited access to anything and anyone.

Cheri and Mel owned a very successful Electrical Company for many years.  Over the years there have been so many stories shared with me.  Good and bad.  They have inspired me in more ways than they can imagine.

Mel has given me fatherly advice and business advice.  They have listened, they have never judged.

One of the things Mel has given me I keep in my office where I can see it everyday.  A framed copy of what he has lived by (and so do I) his entire life.

Six Values for a Successful Man (or Woman)

  1. Awareness
  2. Skepticism
  3. Integrity
  4. Courtesy
  5. Learning
  6. Commitment

When I think about the Data from Nails Magazine, and I ponder on the reasons why our $$$ that we charge are going down, and I couple that with the % of Technicians who don't take classes......I realize.....this is an epidemic.  A bad one!

I also realize I personally need to keep fighting this battle.  Encouraging, teaching, sharing knowledge to help my fellow Technicians, learn and grow.  However, I also realize, you can lead a horse to water, but you can't force them to drink.

There are doer's.....and my new word....don'ters.  The doer's are the same group of Technicians we see at every show, every class, on every webinar.  The don'ters are the ones that talk about it, make excuses and never show up.  They are the ones who actually need Education the most.  Education and confidence go hand and hand.  The more you know, the more confident you become.

As we close the door to 2018 and open the door to 2019, maybe it's time to do a little evaluation.

We talk all the time about revisiting the prices we charge, maybe re-doing our menu.  We talk about reviewing our disinfection procedures and possibly looking at new products.  We talk about the changes we can make in the Salon, clean house or spring clean.  But....do we ever evaluate ourselves?  Maybe it's time we do!

Let's begin by evaluating our six(6) values;

  1. Awareness;  Are you aware of your surroundings.  Aware of those around you?  Aware of what you need to do to be a success?
  2. Skepticism;  Are you skeptical of everyone and everything?  You should be!  Being a little skeptical in our Business dealings (and personal) is a huge safety net.
  3. Integrity;  I've always said.....you can say a lot about me, but don't every mess with my Integrity.  Personally, I think this should be #1.  Talk the talk, walk the walk.  Do it honestly and with sincerity.  Always do the right thing.
  4. Courtesy;  I think we sometimes forget this simple yet important trait.  Be courteous of others, but also, be courteous of yourself.
  5. Learning; DON'T ever stop.  Constant learning is a must, no matter what you do.  The missed opportunities are endless, if you don't continue to learn.
  6. Commitment;  It's simple.  If you are committed to sticking with the six(6) values.....you ARE committed.

I can tell you from personal experience.  When I have a challenge in my life whether it be a Professional challenge or a personal one, I will always think back on these values.  If i've faltered on any of them during whatever challenge I happen to be going through, I adjust accordingly. It does makes a difference.

In closing,   "Thank You".....for taking the time to read my blogs.  "Thank You" for all your kind comments.  "Thank You" for you and your continued support.  "Thank You" for putting up with my rants,

If something I have said has made you think a little different, act upon something you've set aside and used something I've shared to help grow your Business...."Thank You"

Happy New Year!  I wish all of you the best for a healthy, prosperous, loving and happy 2019!

CJ Murray, President

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What you are not cleaning CAN kill you!

Many of you know, I just finished a 3 day course on Oncology Spa Solutions.
I took this course because i'm offering this class in February and of course, i'm not going to offer something to my clients, I haven't experienced myself.

LIFE CHANGING!

I can't really explain the emotionally journey this class put me on. What I can explain however, is the amount of information I received. The amount of resources I've been given. The rude awakening. The realization that whether you service Cancer stricken clients or not......this class is a must.

There are many classes in our Industry in regards to Pedicuring.  We have the MediNails program, we have the NaSP program, we have the ANT program.  These are great programs.  ALL Education is GREAT Education.  However,

Much of the information is the same regardless of which course you take.  We learn about what or what not be within the Limits of our License.  We learn toenail cutting do’s and don’t.  We learn “some” infection control.  We learn about options for Disinfection products and “opinions” on whether they are good, bad or indifferent.

We also learn about products.  Typically the products which whatever course you are taking, promotes and reaps the benefits from.

We learn things we shouldn’t be doing here in the USA.  We learn bone structures and what exactly is dry skin.  Or, cracked skin or wet peeling skin.

We learn the same thing regardless of what course you decide is within your budget, within your GPS desire and within your time frame.

What OSS offers is something completely different.

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  • The OSS teaches you about the client.  It teaches you that not all clients are created equal.  It teaches you, every service needs to be modified to that particular clients need.  
  • It teaches you what treatments and medicines can do to your clients skin.  It teaches you the mind and spirit aspect of taking care of your clients.
  • It teaches you about ingredients, it teaches you about safety.  It teaches you the proper way to perform a consultation...a way you have never ever seen before.

All the above is what the class teaches you.  What you learn……is something else.

You learn;

  • Not all clients are created equal
  • How important our job really is
  • We shouldn’t just work to “get by”
  • The risk of Pedicuring any client with compromised health
  • If you don’t have passion for what you do…..get out!
  • You think you know how to manage a Diabetic client?  NO….you don’t
  • We need to be more sensitive
  • How to Market your skills…..not your services
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The bottom line is; you may think $997.00 is a lot to put forth for a class.  How about the thousands of dollars you may have to put forth on a law suit because we as Foot Care Technicians are so ill informed?

Have you worked on a client who has had or does have cancer?  How about Neuropathy, Fybromialgia, circulatory problems, DVT?  You may think not using implements on a diabetic and not putting them in water which is too hot is enough.  

You may think performing a light massage is safe.  You may even think your at home care products you are mixing yourself are better than store bought.

I encourage you…..THINK AGAIN!

Promoting this class is my Mission for 2019.  Not because of the monetary benefits....there are none.  It's because I have never felt as strongly about a class as I have this one.  I have never had such an emotional connection to clients with ill compromised systems as I have with what i've learned in this class.

Yes, this class teaches you about working with and Pedicuring clients with Cancer.  But truly, it teaches you so much more.

I personally have been looking for something different to "step out of the box". I've found it, and I welcome the opportunity to share it with you.

Becky Kuene is the founder of Oncology Spa Solutions.  Her passion, her life changing experiences, her spirit, her knowledge along with her Mission partners......not just change lives...they unknowingly make peoples lives better.

I'm honored to have had this opportunity, to meet Becky, to meet fellow students, to meet young and old who willingly share their journey with us.

And,, I look forward to working with her Mission Partners made available to us Graduates.

I can't think of a better way to bring in the New Year. 

What does any of this have to do with "what you aren't cleaning"?  You would be surprised to find out how much we are putting ourselves and our clients at risk. Cleaning and disinfection has always and will continue to be one of my top priorities.    After taking the OSS class, my Mission will now be on steroids. Things you never think about will shock you.  Will make you think twice and will truly change the way you work in your Pedicure room.

Change needs to happen.  Change begins with YOU!

CJ Murray, President

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5 things you SHOULD do in the Pedicure room

Last week we spoke about the what not to do in the Pedicure room. Thank you to all of you, for your comments

We so often get bogged down with the process, we forget about the journey. "Journey" an act or instance of traveling from one place to another.

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.

Personally, I prefer the latter. However, in all honesty.....it's not always as easy as it sounds.

How does this relate to what we should do in our Pedicure room?

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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.

Safety in Pedicure room

So....What SHOULD we do in the pedicure room?

  1. 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!
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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

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