asleektan

Hey guys...I'm in the process of putting in 1 nail tech in my tanning salon. There's a nail business accross the street from me and will be closing Sept 1, one of the nail techs came in yesterday to speak with me about what I'm looking for. I'm needing some opinions and advise on what I need to be looking for when it comes to actually saying "your hired." Anyone out there with nail techs have anything to advise me on. The rate here in phx is $95-$125 per week. For only one nail tech, do you have to have hot and cold running water, when they say natural or mechanical ventilation systerm what does that mean? is there a specific system I would have to install for this one nail tech etc...? Do you allow that person to tan for free or do you ask for more rent per week that includes those extra perks?

TANTASIA

I have thought about this too.. I would suggest talking to the nail salon owner and getting details on how they worked.... They are closing, so I'm sure they wont mind helping... but then I could be wrong...

Bravotan

I had 3 nail techs at one time. Now here is the deal..."Specialist" are artist minded.. be really prepared for "attitude". Make sure they sign independant contractor/booth renter lease or commission agreement. If they are suppling everything and you are suppling tables with ventilation, supplies, "perks" (tanning or note, retail commission etc...) Write it all down. So when they decide to up and move they know up front agreement and no compete clause if any..also have renewal time frame or automatic renewal. So that as he/she grow you will need to up the rent if deemed necessary. Also have them carry their own professional liability or you decided if you are going to supply.. We did both. We allowed our tech to tan at 50% cost...because they will tan everyday trust me..we have been doing this for 14 years...Retail we gave commission of increase based on #s from 10-30% on all retail. You decide upfront. There are regulations from the board of cosmetology in my state you need to check their requirements if any on specs. for salon ventilation and other requirements before operation. Some nail tech tables come with it built in with filters...there are all types of ventilation system you can get. BELIEVE me you will need them...THE smell is very stong if the techs are doing artifical application: silks, acrylics, glue, etc...nail polish itself can be very strong..YOur tanning salon customers will know the day you begin nail services... I am also a lic. nail specialist and let me tell you...be prepared! Make sure you get everything in writing..The complain alot about their backs hurting, carpel tunnel, neck pain/leg pain..etc..see where I'm going with this...I do not mean to paint a negative pic. but as a RN and a lic nail tech I have been on all fences ...JUST make sure you CYA!! (cover your ***) Nail tech/hair industry great money maker if you get the right money maker with work ethics... I worked 10-15 clients a day 6 days a week at first. I did pedicures, endermatherapie, manicures, artifical inhancements etc...Great biz...but do your homework! hope this helps

Bravotan

Also find out why is the salon closing?
Also find out before you say "we're partners" How many clients are you bring with you...if they tell you its 20 it means probably 10. etc... Ask how many hours they plan to work if they are booth renters..You can't tell them how many hours if they booth rent..you shouldn't care, but an empty table doesn't look good and rent is probably going to be late.. Nail biz can be seasonal also...keep this in mind.
IF you specialist wants commission he/she prob. has a small clientel and is expecting to build from your base...nothing wrong with this if the nail tech is good. works both way if you know what i mean. If tech wants salary...I wouldn't do it unless you know how good the person is..booth rent really is best for numerouos reason...I have done booth rental and commission for our staff and I think in the long run booth rental is best in some cases..:)

asleektan

Bravotan.........thanks a lot, you brought up a lot of good points and ideas. What I had in mind was booth rental, no commission. I'm thinking about doing at least a 6 month or 1 year lease agreement. Weekly rent btwen $100-125. Asking for at lease 2 weeks rent upfront (maybe ask for a month upfront, what do you think?). I'm basically looking at this as being an extra $400-500 a month for me. Also a few new clients for me as well. She would bring in her existing clientel (especially since she is across the street right now) and also receive new ones from my already existing clients. We would split the cost of advertising (weekly pay isn't part of advertising cost), I don't want to sound like her boss and make her work the exact hours that the salon is open but I don't want someone here that's working 5 hours a day and that's it. I'm concerned with giving her a key to the shop even though she might have early bird customers and might have to stay late at night. I know she told me that last Sunday she was working until 10pm....I'm thinking seriously on a sunday. Would it be wise to give her a key or just have her work the business hours that I'm open right now. The hours that I have have been that for 5 yrs now. Also, she mentioned her days that she takes off are Mon & Tues. I prefer Sunday and Monday as her days off if any. I'm concerned on how to treat this. She wouldn't be a employee of mine so it's hard to tell her here is your hours and these are you days off, take it or leave it. Any advise on where to get a contract? Do you have one that I might be able to look at?

asleektan

The Nail shop has been open for 15 yrs. Since then it has went through 4 owners. Nail Tech has been there for 9 months. The most recent owner decided to move up north to Prescott and basically there are only 2 girls there now. The owner is trying to sale it but according to this nail tech no one is willing to buy it because of the over head and expenses for advertising and etc. Supposedly if they don't sale the store by Sept 1 their last day being open will be Sept 1.

Bravotan

Ok..The first thing I would do is have this nail tech do a manicure/pedicure/or artifical nails on you or someone of your choice before you say I do...Believe me just because they have some clients doesn't mean they do great nails and believe me the customer will not say "susie" does terrible nails they will say don't go to the sallys shop because its horrible...so be picky. Now..If she is good and you like her/him A contract can be very simple...I will see if I have one and post for you..but just type out the facts you think are important to protect you and the tech and your liability. and have him/her sign. Now we did not give our tech keys...we were an Aveda Salon and numerous,numerous retail. also we had bathing suits, lots of 50 types of lotions etc..you get the picture..so the agreement/contract it stated specialist can conduct business from the hours: 8:30 am til 9:00 pm mon thru thurs and 8:30 am til 7 fri and sat..Closed on sunday. If that specialist was not interested in those hours: believe me another will come along..Believe nail clients really do not like to work excessive, unless you are an owner..trust me...Out of the years I have never had a compliant..Now sometimes during holiday I would extend those hours, but only with notice..etc..
Now i'm not sure in your area, but what is usually custom here is to give 1-2 weeks upfront/startup rent free. This give the tech time to set up and move clients. Then rent is due the Monday before she/he works or you need to include late fee after the 1st day missed rent. Dont ever allow the tech to work the week and pay you at the end...Never works unless its yourself..ha..Some tech. will request 1 week free vacation rent free during the year. So make all this info up front...so down the road they say...oh by the way I'm going on vacation and I don't won't to pay rent...Now we did agree with one of our tech 1 week free rent free through a 1year completion, but no upfront startup rent free. Be creative...no rules...just both of you have to be happy..but never,never bend rules once in place....they have a tendency to take the ruler and extend it...if you know what I mean... Also have something in place for referrals for the tech..If she doesn't want to pay for tanning, then work something out on trade or client referrals. IF she doesn't tan, then offer bonus for lotion products...so she doesn't run to the beauty supply and get it...Give him/her commission on her selling your packs, but be careful to have a great tracking method...She will tell you she sold all pack to all the client..ha...Everyone in her chair is her client and everyone in the salon that looked at her was her referral...get my drift...just be creative.. hope this helps

asleektan

WOW....thanks for the info....it kinda scares me now...LOL.

Bravotan

The realty to the nail industry: unless you are the nail tech...it really is a lost leader. It is an accessory to the salon: Keeps clients from going elsewhere. Rent is a nice accessory for you, but just do your homework so that it doesn't become a disaster or a pain in your backside....Sorry...I do not sugar coat anything especially since I've been there done that industry. I have also done hair side also..if you ever are considering this part of the beauty industry..:) good luck what ever you decide. Remember Nice accessory: Convenience for clients...

Marca

I have several 'deals' going right now:
- employee who is also a nail tech. She gets paid for the hours she works. We've paid for her education and pay for all the supplies, inventory, furniture, etc. but also get all the income also bought products. This works well i think, because the nail business is a heavy business as Bravotan says: if you do this 8 hours a day, your back hurts like ****.
- beautician who pays a fixed rent. This is easy and we have no work whatsoever, except.... 2 bosses in one company is difficult sometimes especially when she expects something that we feel is not included in the rent... write everything down you can think of, like costs for trash disposal, maintenance of the entrance, gardens, etc.etc.
- a fysiotherapist who rents the room and we receive 30% of all the income. Good deal i think when someone is starting out.

The nail business is a difficult one and i would surely want to see what someone does and how well they do it, before having someone on board. The cross-selling part does work in my opinion. The smell is certainly a factor to consider, escecially when they do a lot of acrylic nails. Our nail tech is specialized in gel and that does not smell at all.

Good luck!

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