Nail technicians are emerging from the shadow of higher-profile salon professionals with s super-bright career outlook for 2008, according to NAILS Magazine 2007 industry stats and trends. As a nail tech, how can you get a bigger piece of the nail salon services pie? Follow the trends …

1. Charge more.
Nail techs give clients what they pay for and then some. Don’t sell yourself short. If you’ve got just as much to offer as the pricey salons do, why shouldn’t your rates reflect that reality? NAILS suggests following this formula to raise your rates: Provide custom services unique to your salon, deliver the results you’ve promised, then charge prices that reflect your quality of products, service, and exclusivity. Make sure your clients are paying for everything they’re getting.

2. Branch out.
If people can get manicures while they’re waiting for their cars to be fixed, why can’t you diversify your services too? Thinking big will set your business apart from the rest. Expand your retail offerings beyond cuticle oil and nail polish. Offer head and neck massages while clients’ nails dry. Consider adding services like a spray tanning booth. Bottom line: Don’t be afraid to offer more than nail care.

3. Get dirty.
People come to you for beauty, but sometimes what they bring you isn’t pretty at all. The fact is, everyone gets natural buildup on their heels; that’s why callus management is in demand. As a nail tech, the callus products at your disposal provide a gentle, yet powerful, alternative to a blade. While callus removal and management may not be the most glamorous addition to your services, it’s a profitable one.

4. Buy direct.
Each new year brings new distribution opportunities for nail techs. Why pay a traditional full-service dealer when you can buy products direct from the manufacturer? With your products in more online stores than ever, you’ve got a better selection and better options for buying. NAILS also predicts that more nails-only dealers will spring up, which will make it even easier for you to find the products you seek.

5. Learn more.
Nail techs and salon owners are going back to school, and not just for standard continuing education courses. According to NAILS, we can look forward to the availability of more college-level salon specialization courses as well as farther-reaching curriculum being designed by manufacturers and independent outlets. Highly specialized technical courses in areas like medical pedicures, anti-aging treatments, and solution-oriented natural nail care based on biology and chemistry will crop up as well. And salon owners will pursue business degrees, while more MBAs will make their way into the nail industry and start their own salons.

Whether you’re considering becoming a nail tech, you’re on your way to getting licensed, or you’re already established in your career, rest assured that the industry is full of opportunity. It’s never looked better!

-Robyn Tellefsen

This entry was posted on Monday, January 14th, 2008 at 2:08 pm and is filed under Beauty. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.