Magazine for the professional nail industry.
Issue link: http://nailsmag.epubxp.com/i/688035
100 | NAILS MAGAZINE | JULY 2016 Courting cosmetology students to fnd new techs for your salon takes some efort, but in a tough recruiting environment, it makes a lot of sense. What's more, recent graduates can be valuable additions to your team for a number of reasons, according to Chris Murphy, co-owner of Maximum FX Salons in Austin, Texas, and the founder of MotivePoint.biz. Murphy cites three reasons you should look to cosmetology schools to fll openings at the salon: 1. Students are more malleable. They're like sponges, soaking up everything. There's virtually no need to un-train bad habits and re-train good habits. 2. Students tend to be more loyal. After all, you saw something in them before they really had any experience at all. Because you believed in them from the beginning, they will tend to have a special and lasting attachment to you and your salon. 3. Students tend to be more open to new ideas. They're receptive to innovative approaches and smarter ways to do things. The secret, says Murphy, is to get into the schools and teach the students how they can become successful in your salon, how you do things better, and most importantly how they can have a career (not just a job) with you. To that end, he regularly speaks to students at PHOTO COURTESY OF COLOR MY NAILS SCHOOL OF NAIL TECHNOLOGY Nail tech Wendy Bailey moved from Charlotte, N.C., to Austin, Texas, in July 2015, leaving behind a full book of appreciative clients, along with friends and family. She shares a favorite person, place, and thing from her new salon, Nails by Wendy Bailey, located in neighboring Round Rock, Texas. Person: I met Jocelyn Edison when our esthetician bought a gift certifcate for her to have a mani/ pedi with me right after her third cancer surgery. As a cancer survivor myself, I am inspired by Jocelyn to stay positive and rely heavily on faith and hope to get through this diagnosis. Our battles will never be over for the remainder of our lives as it will always be something that has to be watched. Having someone who truly understands how this feels is priceless. I'm thankful she was placed in my life and I in hers. Place: I am proud to display my investment in CND training on my wall. I truly believe my education and commitment to staying current on sanitation laws, trends, and procedures sets me apart from the average nail tech in my area. My clients see that I am driven to give them the healthiest options on the market today by taking the time and money to go to these classes and talk about my sanitation processes. It never gets old to hear, "I've never had a nail tech like you before. Now I can never go back to any drop-in type salons." Thing: This armoire has been with me many years and has served many purposes, and now it's a real lifesaver for storing supplies in my new nail studio. We did a major downsizing for the move to Texas, but my gut just wouldn't let this piece go. I distressed it, changing the dated cherry fnish into a more current style using Mud Paint. There isn't a client who doesn't say, "Wow, I love that piece." Bailey Would you like to share an important person, place, and thing from your professional life with other NAILS readers? Email judy.lessin@bobit.com. Person * Place * Thing local schools, letting them know what to expect when they graduate and helping to set realistic expectations. Murphy also hosts in-salon classes for students where they market to the students as if they were customers. "The classes establish a relationship and pull them into our culture and our space," he says. He announces upcoming classes by posting a fier by the school's timeclock and allows students to sign up via text. "Last round we had 30 people signed up for a class in just four hours," he says. "The classes also serve as a sort of vetting process since the students who sign up are the hungry, responsible, A-players we're looking for." In addition, Murphy recommends holding on-site interviews at the schools as an efcient way to recruit. "We send the director a sign-up sheet beforehand and schedule interviews on the half hour," he says. Once on board, the students complete a training program to refne their skills. Recruiting Students: Inexperience Has Its Advantages