nailartist710

Both Marca and Bravotan bring up good points. I would say the first thing you need to do is see what this tech can do. There are A LOT of people in the nail field who really should NOT BE!! I do some educating on the side and you would be amazed at what I see!! Have her do a manicure, pedicure and a full set of nails on someone YOU know, not one of her clients. Her clients are never going to tell you if she does a horrible job. If you use someone you know then they will be honest with you. Thats what I did before I hired one of my nail techs. I had her do stuff on one of my friends and she was not good at all!! I told her that before I would even consider hiring her she had to take continuing education classes and get herself updated on all the latest techniques.

Also, make sure you check with the State Board of Cosmo for your area. I don't know what the laws are in your state, but where I am from Booth Rental is illegal. I know, it sucks. But it is. So just make sure you check on that first.

As for the smellyness of acrylic, it can get really bad. I have one of the tables that have the "vent" in it and honestly it really does not work at all. I would not waste your money on them. There are oderless acrylics that work pretty well. And like Marca said, Gels are oderless and work great. If you have any questions feel free to PM me!!

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glotan

I'm going to hijack Sleek's questions with my own.... I was recently approached by a friend of a friend who knows a lot about nails. I know little other than what I like getting done.... I have almost half of my salon that could be converted to a nail space, and -- should we get all of our 1,000,000 ducks in a row -- would kinda like the idea of letting her run a business within my business.

Basically I would run the desk, do the bookings etc, and pay all the bills at the end of the month, and she would pay a rental fee, insurance, tax, water bill, electric, etc.

Is this a good idea? I would rather let someone who knows all that do it, pay all the upfront costs of build-out, installation, pay the techs, order her supplies, etc. BUT I also don't want competeing "bosses." BUT I also like the idea of there being a partner who could in theory take some of the workload off my shoulders.

Any thoughts?

Marca

Do you have free space that you don't use right now, Glo? Or would you get rid of some of your beds?

A partner would certainly be nice, but 'a friend of a friend...? I don't know... I would be careful if I were you, but maybe it's just me being burnt too many times to trust one easily.

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glotan

I have a bed that is so old I won't let anyone use it, and another bed that I have 2 others of the same model (it wouldn't be missed) and a face only tanner on that side of the salon. There is also a kitchen with triple sinks, so the pipes are already over there. That side also has a bathroom with a shower..... all the 'good' beds are already on the other half of the salon so it would be an easier and natural seperation of the two services.

I also have a "Smoketeer" ventilation system on that side -- previous owners allowed smoking!! (Can you believe it?!) -- so that would cut down on any stinky-ness from the nails.

I am also worried about being burnt. The friend that is introducing us was immedietly warned by her husband "I don't think its a good idea to put your 2 entrprenureal friends together like this! They are both used to being "the boss" and you will be in the middle!!" It is a long shot already: we need some redecorating, this would involve some actual construction and considerable expense... and I think there is only room for maybe 3 chairs. The landlord is ajackass too and who knows what he'll say about it all?

The friend of the friend is coming tommorrow to see the space. Maybe she won't even think its a good idea... I guess I'll wait and see.

Another question... how do you label yourself? Nails & Tans? Tanning Spa?

Marca

Guess you already see the risks yourself. Maybe try working together on something else before you start a business together?

How you label yourself would depend on how you structure the business: 50/50?

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Bronzetanning

I am thinking about renting a room to a nail tech it is the perfect size for all the displays and equipment that she would need, but I don't want to have to deal with the smell or putting in a ventalation system. Would I really have to worry about that if it is just one nail tech in a seperate room?

Bravotan

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOh yes..The smell is there to stay for acrylics and nail polishes..tanners noses are very sensitive...believe me....you will hear it....I have done it for 14 years...Ventalation room/systems out takes...etc..is very important for health reasons for nail techs..and to show clients you care about smell...Nail techs get use to the smell, because they do it all day, but clients that come and go..never get use to...c/o about it every time they walk in when nail tech is doing nails...I agree with the above..vents usually don't work all that great...(table vents..etc.) but true expensive commerical vents do actually work, but I'm not sure the cost factor is worth it..? have to see for yourself.. hope that helps..

Bravotan

regarding other nail products: Gel nails, glue wraps (silks etc.) smell isn't as bad if glue is odorless. Odorless acrylics seems to be a little better..If your nail tech uses Tammy Taylor: great product..but smell is awful!! OPI acrylic/odorless is a little better...creative..wow...I think smell is as bad as Tammy Taylor... :)

Marca

What kind of nail tech are you considering, Bronzetanning? Because manicures don't give many problems. Sometimes our nail tech (who is right next to the rooms with the beds in it) leaves the door open during manicures, so that tanning customers see what the possibilities are. A bit of promotion so to say.

Acrylics we try to minimize and only do gel nails. You do need ventilation for the dust though.

What kind of brands does your nail tech use, Bravotan? We are looking into switching brands and are considering MiYoshi. Any experiences?

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Bravotan

Tammy Taylor, OPI and Creative. Natural products AVEDA