Featured on NTR

Tune in to Nail Talk Radio tonight -- Naja and Athena will be reading my report on-air about the 1st Annual Willamette Valley Nail Tech Networking Event!!!

Interview Update

I apologize for not getting to this sooner, but the last few days have been crazy-busy. Anyway, Sree got to my salon about 10m early; having ridden the MAX. I gave her a tour of the whole salon, and gave her a few bits of info about the ladies with whom I work. She took a few photos of things in my room (my new "garden", my framed certificates, my sign, my calendar, etc), asked a little about each thing (ie: I mentioned FRAMED ART STUDIOS, where my husband had my certificates framed by his HS friend, Brooke; hopefully, she gets a mention), and we got down to business. We talked about NSS (Non Standard Salons --- aka: "Chop Shops"), what I do & don't view as actual competition, my classes, shopping local, the area where I work, my co-workers, my salon owner, turnover within my salon, a little about my family, how I got started, and a few other things. One thing I made sure to talk about is my friendship with Tanya -- she started out as just my local CND Educator, but has become a good friend. I am taking over her clients one day (in two weeks) because she's out of town for three weeks (part business, part personal). The amount of trust -- in me, as well as my skill set as an (only) 8yr tech -- speaks VOLUMES, and I am grateful for the opportunity. Conversation was easy; she's very low-energy (in a good way). Her actual pedi only took about 45 minutes, but she ended up taking a few more photos after we were done; she was there about an hour and a half, total. She said as she was leaving that she was sorry she didn't get to meet the salon owner (Patti doesn't usually work Saturdays, but had planned on coming in that day... however, she wasn't scheduled 'til 11a), and let me know my article will be in the September (probably) issue. My friend, Erin, dedicated this song to me: PHAMOUS

I'm Going To Be Famous

NAILS MAG posted last Wednesday, asking "If you're in Portland and want a visit from NAILS Magazine, leave us a comment below and let us know the name of your salon and why it's special. (Managing editor Sree will be at the Portland Marriott City Center in about a week and a half and would love to write an "On the Road" article about a salon near that location.)" I literally thought about it for a day (& asked my daughter her opinion) before I responded, "I am in SW Portland, right on the MAX line! Salon Shibumi on SW 18th, between Jefferson & Madison. Sree can PM me on here, or email me at nailsbydana@yahoo.com. I'd love to give her a pedi, or Shellac manicure!" After a few back-n-forth emails between Sree & myself, we agreed on a time & day (I had to move two clients, but totally worth it, and they didn't mind at all!). I will post an update as to which month I'll be featured in, but this can only do good things for me!

Hot & Cold

I don't know about other people's books, but mine always seem to have this "Full one week, dead the next" thing going on... Ok, not always, but on a fairly consistent basis. Take the end of March, for example. I had mostly full days Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, & Friday. Saturday even had two clients. Then, my husband & I decided that since (1) it was Spring Break as well as our anniversary weekend (Sunday, April 1st -- 8 years married), and (2) our daughter was gone for the last half of the week, that we'd go to the beach for a few days. So, I called my Thursday, Friday, & Saturday clients and moved them. I am lucky in that the majority of my clients are as flexible as I am (some, more so), so upon hearing why I wanted to move them, they were very accommodating. Anyway, then I get back from our mini vaca, and I have literally eight clients scheduled that week. Of course, given that things happen, people get sick or hurt themselves, or whatever, two of my clients had to rebook, and one cut part of her appointment. One of my clients was also an freebie; she's the owner of the salon where I work, and we trade services (her nails for my hair, and sometimes, my daughter's hair). I made (not including tips) $181. Then, this week hits --- I have *one*! open time slot available. So, here's my goal -- I was going to say "Fill the dead space", but actually, that's not my goal... my goal is to get the any new-to-me client to book her/his appointments on those dead weeks. I don't need to be fully booked, but I kinda like being able to say, "I'm sorry, I don't have any openings until ______." Oh, and speaking of new-to-me clients, I have one coming this Friday morning... seems a bit high-strung, but perhaps it's just due to being mistreated by her former nail tech. Wish me luck!