Magazine for the professional nail industry.
Issue link: http://nailsmag.epubxp.com/i/213903
how to survive… your maternity leave Having a baby? Mazel tov. Just make sure you have a business to come back to. Welcome to our salon! 1. Recruit a replacement. Let clients know they will be properly tended to in your absence by providing another tech to care for them. The first place to look for a back-up tech is within your salon. This will please the client (who wants to stay within her comfort zone) and the salon owner (who doesn't want to lose business while you're out). It'll also make it harder for the client to jump ship and remain with the new tech when you return. (It would be awkward having to face you every time she visits the new tech.) 2. Outsource if necessary. If there are no techs with free time at your salon, seek out someone who is just starting out or someone who is on her way out. A newbie with holes in her book or a semi-retired friend may be happy to pick up a few weeks or months of work with little effort on her part. Presumably, you have a few months to plan your leave. This gives you time to approach your local beauty school and spend a month or two training one of their recent graduates. It's a win-win. a visit from a competitor 3. Make rental arrangements. Handling the issue of booth rent while When you know the visitor is from another salon: you're out may require some negotiating skills. If you have a solid, longstanding relationship with your owner she may cut you a deal. But not all owners are so accommodating and they don't have to be. "Booth rental is a contract, just like house rental or salon rental, so you are required to pay the full rent," explains Snyder-Dixon. "If the contract allows, you may be able to arrange a sub-let." If paying rent while you're not earning puts too great a strain on your pocketbook — or if the idea just ticks you off — you can pack up and leave (provided you don't have a written agreement that says otherwise). 4. Take your time. Of course you're dedicated to your clients, but take the time you need. Nail tech Darlene Feric recalls coming back too soon. "I know now that true clients will wait as long as they can." Come back part-time if you like, but don't expect the salon owner to cut you any slack in your booth rent. Of course, if diapers and drool aren't really your thing, run right back and savor the relative calm of the salon. 5. Shrug it off. If you lose a few clients to other techs during your time off, remain philosophical. Give them your blessing and decide it's the universe's way of giving you a little extra time with the little bugger at home. 96 | NAILS MAGAZINE | 2013-2014 THE BIG BOOK She might just pop in unannounced, or maybe she'll introduce herself. No matter what, treat everyone as you would your best customer. THINK POSITIVE: Having a visitor from another salon come to you for services isn't the kiss of death. "I am friendly with all the salons in my town," says salon owner Mary Metscaviz. "I just like to share my knowledge. Some might think this way of thinking is wrong, but it hasn't hurt me to date. We even send each other clients when we can't service them ourselves." RECIPROCATE: Ask to visit their salon. It will help boost your relationships and you may learn something new. Other salons don't need to be seen as the enemy. You're both in the same boat. Maybe you can learn from each other. TOP-NOTCH SERVICE: We know you always do spectacular nails, but obviously make sure to give your competitors 110%. Ideally, you want to "wow" them out of business (or at least wow them into complimenting your salon to other techs). Don't let your nerves get in the way. You won't always know: KEEP IT CLEAN: Sanitation should be one of your foremost concerns at all times, but it's especially important if "spies" from another salon are visiting. Make sure to follow all sanitation procedures. Always. BE POSITIVE: Welcome every client into your salon as soon as they walk in your doors. Radiate your love for your job. THE BOTTOM LINE: Offer quality service, each time, every time. You never know who might be watching. >>>