More Education

Last Monday, I decided to take a four-hour OPI GelColor class. I've been using GelColor quite successfully since its soft release last November, but this was an opportunity to get a little more education under my belt (and, who knew, maybe even learn something I didn't know). Things I learned: How to apply a French without that telltale "hump", how long you actually need to shake the bottles (thank goodness I have a hobby paint shaker I got on Amazon!), and we got a tutorial on OPI's new Lacquer Apps. I spent part of yesterday playing with GelColor, loose glitter, a colored glitter gel, and the Apps; if you're interested in photos, they are posted publicly on my work page on Facebook (www.facebook.com/artistryofthenailsalon).

Bad Day

We all have them... those days when absolutely nothing seems to go our way? Yeah, that was yesterday. First, let me begin by reminding you that my daughter's soccer games are Saturdays. I have a rule that I work Saturdays ONLY if I can work around my daughter's game(s). Six weeks ago, when yesterday's appointments were made, I broke that rule. One of our hairdressers' clients' daughter was (a) turning 18 and (b) it was Prom... so the client made appointments with the salon's massage therapist (a basic massage), me (mani/pedi for each of them), and said hairdresser (color/updo for birthday girl, updo for friend). I was told to be there at 11a (two mani/pedis would take me four hours total -- I'd be done around 3p). Knowing I would miss my daughter's game, I made arrangements for her (yes, she was hugely disappointed -- as I have only ever missed her games when either her or I have been sick, & once when I was in New York for a weekend a few years ago -- but she *did* understand). Knowing I needed to eat before I started, and I needed to wash my basket-full of dirty towels, I left my house at 10am, and walked into the salon at 1030a... and promptly had the friend (J) handed to me to "get started on, because I must have miscommunicated" (hairstylist's words -- she thought she told me 10a). Not a problem; I had snacks I could eat in between... ... Or not. I had exactly 1/2 hour to do her manicure before she HAD to get into the massage therapist's studio, because the MT had another client coming at 1230p. Luckily, J didn't need a lot of work; I got the whole manicure, but not the polish, done before her massage. C then came in, so I took care of her mani, and got her feet soaking while I (after her massage) finished J's polish. I was interrupted by hairdresser about 5m before I was done with C (the birthday girl), wondering how much longer I'd be. Since my pedi tub needs to be cleaned & disinfected (15m) in between each client, I took that time to chow a Babybel cheese and some applesauce... but still didn't have time to even start my dirty towels (luckily, I had just enough clean ones). I was about 10m from finishing J's feet when hairdresser came back again to ask how long I was going to be. At some point, while I was cleaning, I got a message from both my daughter and the mom-friend who took her to & from the game, telling me that it was M's "BEST GAME YET", and that they tied 4-4 (previous games were 0-5 and 0-10). That upset me. Then, hairdresser called up the stairs & told me my check was on the desk downstairs; great. Finished cleaning, gathered my stuff, and went to collect my check. I know it "shouldn't" matter if a client leaves a tip or not, but after being early, being thrust into work when I wasn't ready, not eating lunch, & missing my daughter's game ("BEST"?!?!? ugh)... then to be written a check for ONLY the amount of the services was a slap in the face. As a regular client at our salon, she should know better. And, I knew better than to schedule services during my non-work time. So, I remind all of you -- a proper tip within the beauty industry is 15-20%... for EACH of your service providers; especially if they're doing you a favor! Oh, and in case you're wondering, I finally got "lunch" at 4p, when I got home. UGH!

In Case You Missed It...

Since I couldn't call in my report on the Willamette Valley Nail Event, I wrote this letter instead. They read it on-air: I’ve been a nail tech (although I prefer the term “nail stylist” or “nail artist”) for eight years, and have yet to go to an industry show or event. I just didn’t see the need, being that they are costly, out-of-state, events that would take me out of my chair for at least two profitable days (I am the epitome of “Small Business Owner”). The majority of them are still mostly about hair. Nails are still the “red-headed step-child” of the industry. Apparently, that’s all changing. When Kristen Dutcher (of Keizer, Oregon) decided that we needed something closer to home, just for Nail Professionals, she put her heart & soul into making it happen. She contacted a ton of distributors, and talked Keizer’s Renaissance Inn into giving us a discount on rooms, should we choose to stay over the night before. Instead of driving down Saturday & staying at the hotel, three of us rode down in style (thanks to Cindy Walston’s husband, Rod) – we had a Town Car take us. That was traveling in style; next year, though, we’re getting a couple more ladies, and taking a limo. There were 17 nail companies and 27 educators that descended upon the Mid-Valley of Oregon; some even came in early to do meet & greets, and host private classes (I didn’t participate in any of those). Big names were there – Linda Nordstrom (Famous Names), Carla Collier (we ALL know who she is), Classic Mully (Nubar, as well as a winner on the competitor’s circuit)… just to name a few. Everyone was friendly, even doing demos all day. There were goodie bags for the first 100 people (per the number on your ticket, there were actually 140 people in attendance) – consisting of a huge sampling of goodies from names like CND, Haken, Famous Names, Light Elegance, Masterworks (Amy Becker), Sparkles (omg… the GLITTER!), INM, and many more. The nail art competition was small, but winners included Lisa Tanner (1st place for Flat Art) and Shannon McCown (1st place for 3D). I don’t know what their prizes consisted of, but the artwork was amazing. I hope more entries are sent in next year. There were also many prizes given throughout the day, based on your bracelet number – a CND Shellac rack, many bits from Medicool, Soft Landings Towels, glitter from Sparkles, subscriptions to NAILS and NAILPRO magazines, Minx, glitter gels from Light Elegance, a Valentino Beauty Pure, and so much more. There were over $4500 worth of these prizes given away!! From a personal standpoint – I loved the selection of products, the friendliness of all the educators, the willingness of everyone to teach/talk/demo their products. I also loved that NOT ONE educator spoke ill of any other company. I *do* think the restaurant inside the hotel should offer a lunch special to all attendees. I brought a sling bag with snacks & water, but was hoping I wouldn’t need to get into it… I did, anyway. Kristen did a wonderful job putting this all together, and I look forward to more. Next year plans to be even bigger. All of this year’s vendors said they’d be back, and there are a few who weren’t able to attend this year that said they’d be there next year as well (hoping for OPI's presence). A second day of “Hands-On” classes will also be available. For more information, bookmark the website: www.willamettevalleynailevent.com, and send a friend request on Facebook to http://www.facebook.com/WillametteValleyNailEvent.

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!