E Mail address: stlaw@enterprise.net

What made you decide on a career in nails and when did you start? I became inspired while working with a nail technician in a salon about 10 years ago. I started taking on clients about 5 years ago.

What environment do you work in? I am a FE lecturer, but I do clients one day a week in a room at home.

What services do you offer and which systems do you use? I do all three systems, manicures, pedicures and nail art. I’m practicing my sculpting skills and I’ve just invested in an airbrush, so I’m busy practicing with that as well. I prefer the acrylic system (tip and overlay).

How many clients do you see per week? Are you full or part time? Between 4-10, 75% are nail clients, the others are beauty treatments.

What part of your job do you enjoy the most and why? Seeing clients’ faces light up when they see the finished result of their nails.

How do you advertise? Word of mouth.

What is your most popular nail art request? What is your favourite piece of nail art? The most popular design is the French and variations of the French design.

What is the weirdest request you have had for any nail service? Applying an extension to a big toe nail. The clients’ natural nail was deformed and she really wanted the confidence to wear sandals.

If you could have your dream come true in the nail world what would it be and why? To be the best at sculptured nails and airbrushing.

Tip to pass on to other nail techs? Always wear your work. It’ll get you lots of clients and comments, which are always encouraging.

WORKING FROM HOME, DO’S AND DON’TS

I have worked from home dong nails for the last 2-3 years, before that I worked as a mobile nail tech. When I moved home I had a spare room, turned it into my salon and gave up the mobile side. I realised that this was taking up too much of my working time; travelling around, setting up and packing away my equipment for each client etc. I come in to contact with nail techs who work from home all the time. People work from home for a number of reasons, they have children, lower outgoing, they prefer to work alone….. People say working from home is hassle, clients turning up at your doorstep unexpected, ringing all hours of the day and night, ‘friends’ popping round expecting a quick manicure during their visit, the list of complaints goes on and on. But, it doesn’t have to be this way. I have worked from home for quite a while and have none of these problems. If you are thinking about moving from a salon and setting up alone or just starting with your nail career and have a spare room I have listed the most important do’s and don’ts that have worked for me.

	Never put your address or mention that you work from home when advertising.
	If possible run your nail business from a separate phone line, when you’ve finished for the day switch on the answerphone. Never give your personal home number to clients.
	Inform all clients on their first visit of your working hours and that appointments must be made.
	Keep the doors to other rooms, living room etc closed when clients are in and lead them straight to the nail area.
	If you have no waiting space let the clients know, this will deter them from turning up early.
	Don’t forget to take a lunch break.
	Try to stay as professional as possible, be as smart as you would in a salon.
	Keep in touch with other nail techs and suppliers, it’s easy to get left behind and not know what’s new.

go to page 4 - Nail Art Gallery

go to front page - Introduction, Nail art

go to page 2 - Book corner, Calling all airbrushers, Cartoon