Although honing your skills as a nail tech is a key part of being successful in the industry, there are also times when you have to make difficult business decisions. Figuring out how to set your treatment prices in order to make a profit can be a complex process, with the amount of time needed to complete each treatment being the factor most important to 42% of you. Another cost you might need to factor into your budget is switching product houses if your current one isn’t working for you – and half reported completing a nail brand conversion course in the last two years.
This issue is packed with inspirational stories for nail techs – check out page 47 for our interview with industry icon Kirsty Meakin, page 68 to see how entering nail competitions can boost your career, and page 74 to see why the nail tech lifestyle is so beneficial for people with ADHD.
On the spot
What’s the most important factor when setting your nail treatment prices?
1. Time needed per treatment (42%)
2. Cost of products used (26%)
3. Prices charged by local competitor nail salons (18%)
4. Cost of staff wages (9%)
5. Intricacy of nail art designs (5%)
What’s the most common sign of a fungal nail infection that you’ve seen with clients?
1. I haven’t seen any clients with a fungal nail infection (41%)
2. Onycholysis (37%)
3. Discolouration (22%)
Month in numbers
METHODOLOGY Insider is compiled from a monthly survey of spas and beauty salons. The people who participated represent a cross-section of the industry and were polled by email and social media from January 3 to 17, regarding business for the month to December 31. Nail business for the Insider Nails page was calculated from data provided by salons that offer nail services among other treatments. The figures given represent the average score for each answer. Brands are ranked when mentioned by several respondents.