"It’s a bright future": post-lockdown advice for nail technicians
We may be in lockdown. But that didn’t stop us catching up with the legend that is Marian Newman for our new Salon Secrets podcast.
You can listen to our PODCAST with Marian here or on your usual podcast platform.
We called Marian at her home and chatted to her about life - and work - for nail technicians when the industry reopens.
Marian says, “I really believe it is a new and bright future. What has happened [means] such a focus has come back to health and safety standards; namely hygiene standards and good working practices. If you haven’t got those, you can’t open. I think the client is going to show what they think with their purse.”
What does Marian Newman say about nail salons reopening?
Marian has worked with The British Beauty Council to co-write the Return to Work guidelines for nail salons and mobile nail technicians. Speaking about the ‘new’ working day for nail professionals she says, “I think for a while it’s going to look very different. If someone is working in a busy salon they can’t be back to back like they used to be. It’s going to be a much quieter place.”
At the start of lockdown, Marian set up a Facebook group for nail professionals and has hosted a series of talks with industry experts. She adds, “We had a talk from a friend of mine in Austria who reopened three weeks ago about ‘What does it look like?’ Are the clients coping with the PPE?
“She gave us an inspiring talk: she was as packed as she could possibly be, all her clients came back. One client sat in the chair and for the whole appointment she was giggling - she was so thrilled to be there! That's the sort of thing people want to know. They want to know that when they reopen clients will come back and that they’ll be busy.”
“One of the questions that should be asked of every client is, ‘Have you had flu-like symptoms or any symptoms in the last seven days?’ That is a really important question because if there have been any possible symptoms then they really shouldn’t have an appointment.”
What does Marian Newman say about mobile nail technicians?
Marian has been working on extra guidelines for nail technicians who have home salons, or who visit clients in their homes.
She says, “These are additional to guidelines specific for mobiles and for people with home salons who don’t have a separate environment in the home. There are plenty that have converted garages but there are lots who don’t have a separate entrance. We also did a questionnaire that is given to the client, whether it’s in their own home or they are going to someone’s home.
“One of the questions that should be asked of every client is, ‘Have you had flu-like symptoms or any symptoms in the last seven days?’ That is a really important question because if there have been any possible symptoms then they really shouldn’t have an appointment. That’s one of the responsibilities that falls on the client: they must be truthful no matter how much they want to get their nails done.”
Should nail technicians raise prices to cover the cost of PPE?
Working out your pricing is key, especially after months with no money coming in. Marian says, “A lot of people are very worried about doing this [raising prices]. They don’t want to hike their prices up and be seen as cashing in.”
Marian recommends talking to your client why you are putting your prices up, including having to buy PPE. She adds, “I think lots of positives have come out of the situation. One of the many things that has come out is it’s making nail professionals think more about their business. They need to have a business model and they need to stick to it. They need to find out what their overheads are and if they need to raise their prices because of this - even if it’s temporary - then yes, I think they should.”
How can nail technicians find new clients when they reopen?
People have waited a long time to get their nails done. So get ahead of your competition and snap up new clients!
Marian says, “Start telling clients now, ‘When we reopen we're going to have some new service, we’re going to have a whole range of new colours. Something extra special you’ve not seen before.’
“So when clients do come back they aren’t faced with the same colours they've been faced with for the past year. They are coming back to their favourites and they are coming back to something new and exciting. That is good marketing and if you spread it far and wide, it’s not only going to bring your existing clients back it’s going to bring some more.”
Listen to our Salon Secrets podcast for the full interview with Marian, including her tips on marketing, hygiene practices and the importance of retail when you reopen.
What is the Salon Secrets podcast?
Our Salon Secrets podcast is for hair and beauty professionals who want industry news, insights and interviews on the go.
In our first episode we chatted to hairdresser Dom Seeley about his celebrity clients, the secrets to his success and the loneliness of freelancing. You can listen to the podcast with Dom in full here.
Where can I listen to the Salon Secrets podcast?
You can listen to our PODCAST with Marian here or on your usual podcast platform.
Let us know your thoughts. And why not get in touch with us on social media with suggestions of who you’d like to hear from on our next Salon Secrets podcast.
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