Magazine for the professional nail industry.
Issue link: http://nailsmag.epubxp.com/i/213903
how to survive… a robbery at gunpoint When the Second Amendment doesn't seem like such a good idea anymore… Give It All Up: "The most important thing to do is what they want you to do. Don't try to keep anything," says Deborah Reeves, who was held up at gunpoint in one of her Savannah, Ga., salons about 20 years ago. Leatrice Woody, the owner of Buff & Go and a police officer with Chicago's 11th District Police Department, agrees. "Just give the offender what he wants," says Woody, who became a police officer after a shooting in her salon. "No struggle. No anything. It's not worth your life." Look, But Not Just at the Robber: Stay calm and take in as much as you can — tattoos, scars, clothing. Just make sure it doesn't look like you are studying him. "You want eye contact, but not too much," says Woody. "Not enough where he thinks you can identify him, but you at least want to be able to tell what he was wearing." Woody also suggests, if you are able, noticing which way the robber flees. bad press Darn those pesky reporters, always snooping around for a sensationalist story to tell. Be on the ready to do battle when the next "Pedicures That Kill: Story at 10" piece airs on your local station. Be Proactive: Pitch positive nail and salon stories to your local newspaper, magazines, or television programs. Offer yourself as a source for stories on summer nail art trends, gel-polish manicures, or ways to keep your skin moisturized in winter. Be the Expert: Make sure local reporters and writers know who you are. Invite them in and offer them free services and use this time to tell them all about your top-notch sanitation practices. Next time they hear a salon "horror" story, hopefully they will remember you and your salon and call you for comment. This can help the industry — and your business. Call in the Cops: "Contact authorities right away — they can possibly scan the area," says Woody. This is when your description of the robber and direction of flee come in handy. Woody also suggests making sure not to touch anything the robber has touched. "You don't want to contaminate the crime scene," she says. Assure Your Clients of Their Safety: To ensure her business wouldn't be affected by the robbery, Reeves hired a private security agency for the salon that was robbed. "I had someone escort my clients to their cars after dark," she says. To make sure clients (and she herself) now feel safe, Reeves has multiple precautions in place. These safety measures include installing a door ringer to alert her anytime someone enters her salon, always keeping the back doors locked, and making sure clients keep their purses and wallets out of window or door view. 100 | NAILS MAGAZINE | 2013-2014 THE BIG BOOK Show Clients You Care: Don't assume that your clients know that you follow all of the state's recommended sanitation guidelines. Let each new client know how seriously you take sanitation. Show them how you clean your pedicure tub after every client, show them your clean implement kits, and explain how you use a new file and buffer for each new client. This way they won't wonder if they're going to contract a yucky little bacteria or fungus in your salon — and it's impressive. Educate the General Public: Make handouts for clients, giving them tips on what to look for in a good salon. Educate them about your salon's policy on sanitation, the importance of using quality professional products, and your salon expertise. They might not realize what a salon superstar you are unless you tell them. >>>