Every new year we tend to think about all the amazing things we want to do, then start planning out our goals, ready to make changes to our life, work and business.
So you've now decided, you want to be a nail tech? First of all, well done on thinking about beginning a more creative career! If you are truly serious about becoming a nail pro, now is the perfect time to get started. Whether you've been thinking about it for a while, or have only decided today, there are some things to consider when deciding whether this is really for you!
Imagine it was only around 6 years ago when I joined the nail world, quickly enrolling on a part-time course around full-time work, then after 18 months of training, setting up a mobile nail tech. These days, you can learn in as little as one to five days with fast track accredited courses, and instantly start your chosen new career!
Since I started things have changed in the world of nails - there's so much more to think about than 'just nails', especially when you consider all the health & safety rules, that take time to understand & changing policies. You’ll love every part of your journey and learning process, even better that you'll be your OWN boss however, there are some key parts of the journey you need to know from now - here's 5 things you should know before making that first step:
1. BUSINESS: As soon as you’re thinking about getting started, it’s a good thing to learn about how to run a business. What days or hours do you want to work, how much are you wanting to earn, where will you work from and how will you grow your business in the future i.e. social media, offers, marketing etc? These are just some of the questions you need to ask yourself.
You’ll also need to make sure that every single business expense is recorded and accounted for, with enough put aside to pay the taxman, every year. It’s important to set any business boundaries from the get-go, as you’re likely to have potential clients requesting appointments at all times of the day (and night), so it’s a good idea to set all your business standards as soon as you‘re ready to start putting yourself out there.
2. PRODUCTS & PRICING: As a professional nail tech, using quality products is super important especially if you're looking to stand out from the average nail tech or salon. Low-quality products, especially more of the unregulated & untested stuff with potentially harmful ingredients can harm both you and your client - these are usually not the products you purchase from professional beauty suppliers!
One thing you’ll quickly realise is how expensive nail products are, especially when you use so many different products for each treatment; for example, a great acrylic brush can cost anything up to £45! This is why it’s important to price your services well so that you're at least earning the minimum wage. Some treatment can take up to 3 hours, so making sure you charge correctly is key, as you'll need to be able to pay yourself AND purchase new products when you’re running low, not to mention being able to invest in yourself with training to improve your skills.
3. INVEST IN YOU: Once you qualify, that’s it right? Definitely not. Getting qualified is only the first step in becoming a nail tech! As well as the soft skills you’ll need in your career i.e. Good with people, great listener, customer service, taking pride in your work, you'll need to continue learning to improve your skills. With so many changing nail trends, it‘s always an idea to try and do at least two nail training courses every year, to ensure you’re giving your best work all the time.
To boost your skills, there are a few highly recommended books for when you're starting out (or even further your knowledge as an experienced tech!), these are:
4. COMMITMENT: The first 2-3 years of setting yourself up are the most crucial. Clients won’t come flooding in as soon as you say you’re doing nails, this is why commitment is really important as this can make or break whether your business survives long term.
They’ll be times you feel like giving up, maybe because of not having enough clients, or maybe you don’t feel supported by your family & friends (who go elsewhere for their nails). Try to stay focused and remember why you started in the first place! Look at ways to get your name out there, show off your designs and promote yourself - believe me, those bookings will soon start coming in with clients who truly love and value your work.
5. SELFCARE ALWAYS: Being a nail tech is about looking after your clients and their nails, but who is taking good care of you?. A busy day at the salon can often mean skipping lunch, hours without food or drink trying to complete your full day of bookings - this is something you should really avoid doing!.
Sometimes you can sit for hours doing nails, which can cause longer term health issues such as back, neck, wrist and leg problems. Like most things, prevention is better than cure so please remember to take regular breaks, eat well, and know when you need to take time out. As well as this, having a set time to relax - switching off phones and all, is always best to protect your mental health and avoid burnout, especially when need to be in the best health for ourselves and our clients.
So the reality is, being a nail tech definitely a rewarding career, you’ll meet some amazing people from clients to other nail pros. You just need to make sure that give yourself the best start to having that long-lasting career that you continue to love and enjoy. It really does show when you truly love your work, you’ll naturally shine and want to keep giving your best!
If you’re ready to start a new and exciting nail career, or advance your skills, check out the nail training courses available to learn new skills and wow your clients!
Feel free to like, share or leave a comment if you enjoyed this topic :).
Speak again soon,
Kerrie | Nzuri Nails & Academy