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The New Tech Checks In

Summer has been a very slow season for us so far. Being that this is the first full summer we’ve been open, we did not know that summer was such a slow season. It seems many people are on vacation this time of year. But, to put a positive spin on the slow season, we’ve taken this time to work on our plan for the next several months (marketing, new services, new products, our one-year anniversary party, etc). It has also given me an opportunity to get Tammy trained a little more (see her message below). 

A Message from Tammy:

My name is Tammy Medlin and I work for Tickled Pink Salon and Nail Spa in Clayton. While in school I knew from the get-go I was going to go straight into booth rental. Well, let’s just say that was a big mistake! See, as a booth renter I was responsible for everything. Getting my own supplies, doing my own marketing, networking, and building up a clientele. Well I lasted longer than I thought I would and yes there were times in-between that I would go and interview with salons because I was having no income coming in to me personally. Everything that was coming in was going straight to the booth rental. So after much talking it over with my husband I knew what I had to do. I had to leave the place I was at. It was putting a strain on me financially.

They say everything happens for a reason. So I started looking on Craigslist and I kept seeing an ad for a nail technician at Tickled Pink. I kept putting it off until one day I told myself to call it. When I called I asked if the position had been filled. She told me no and asked if I wanted to come in for an interview. Well needless say the interview went great and the pedicure I did for Melodie was good. She hired me and since being here let’s just say it has been awesome!

Yes, there are many ways of doing a pedicure and everyone out there is doing them differently — but having a medical background I find that protocol needs to be very consistent from tech to tech. I’ve been here for one month and the training has been ongoing and will continue. Now looking back I know I made the right decision. There are some things that I still have to work on — for instance getting to where I can do French tips in one to two swoops compared to school method and going over the medical conditions on the client’s information sheet to make sure I do not perform an incorrect service — in other words, some of the small details that are not taught through school that should be. I am having to learn here in the real world of being a nail technician.

— Melodie, Tickled Pink Salon & Nail Spa, Clayton, N.C.

Print | posted on Wednesday, July 27, 2011 1:28 PM

Comments

 re: The New Tech Checks In

Gravatar left by Elsie Gordon at 8/4/2011 8:01 AM
Hi Tammy...I have just qualified as a nail tech at 59 years of age! What do you think of that? I am so hungry for any information that I can learn about nails...I do gel (kevlar) and feel very on my own sometimes not having someone or a place of proper training - do you know a technique where they put gel over the nail then 'dip' it into acrylic - 'dust off' and then another coat or two of gel?

Regards
Elsie

 re: The New Tech Checks In

Gravatar left by Tammy Medlin at 8/7/2011 8:54 AM
Congratulation Elsie on becoming a nail tech at 59. Way to go. The technique that you are talking about yes I have heard about it but I have never seen it done before. If you are feeling "on your own" and trust me I was there that is when I knew it was time for me to find a salon who can teach me what I needed to know. Because you do not learn everything in school and school and "the real world" is totally different.So my suggestion to you would be; find a salon who can teach you techniques that they know and inquire about the techniques you want to learn. It maybe that they know of the technique and be willing to teach you. I have learned that in this industry there is always something new for us to learn.

 re: The New Tech Checks In

Gravatar left by Lupe H. at 8/8/2011 10:47 AM
I have a question...I just graduated 6/2011 as a Nail Tech. I'm 37yrs old & I have a big fear of the unknown. I've been and Admin. Asst., data entry, receptionist for more than 16yrs. And I became unemployed & headed into a new venture & I'm just sooo scared of not performing as a nail tech. I need to work on my speed...but my creativity is what drives me. I've had many compliments about the work I do. I don't know why I keep wanting to head back to what I'm used to doing? I already have a job offer as a tech, beginning in Sept 2011. But I don't know why I keep making excuses about my options? Why is it that I want to keep heading back to what I'm used to doing instead of looking forward to what I love to do...and that's nails? Is there anyone else there that felt or feels the way I did/do?

 re: The New Tech Checks In

Gravatar left by Tammy Medlin at 8/8/2011 12:44 PM
First of all congratulation on graduating Lupe. Before even going to manicuring school I was going back and forth with going back into an office enviroment. But what made me go the route I choose was my 2 boys and them beening school age. The one thing I have learned is; we all as nail techs have been scared and afraid of not performing to the fullest. But as we learn protocol for the specifics of each salon we begin to overcome the fear. When I walked into Tickled Pink that day to perform a pedicure on Melodie I was nervous and scared. But as I go into work everyday that we are opened the nervousness and the unknown goes away a little more each and every day. I have started to become more comfortable and have more confidience in myself in what I do for my clients. As far as speed is concern it will come to you give it sometime. Trust me I am just now getting pedicures within my time limit and then there are some times that I go over. But the more you do something the more speed you develop. Don't be afraid of the unknown. You should have plenty of support within your new employer and yourself to overcome this fear. It's just the fear of the unknown that has gotten to you but you too shall over come this. I hope this helps some.

# re: The New Tech Checks In

Gravatar left by Melodie Hand at 8/10/2011 10:29 AM
Congrats Lupe. I've been in and out of this industry for over 22 years now and absolutely LOVE it. In between I've gone back to school for Cardiovascular Ultrasound and worked in that industry for a bit. I've also owned my own rubber art stamping business. And had a dessert cafe (am a Chocolatier) for over 6 years. I keep coming back to the nail industry. It's my passion and I can't think of anything else I'd rather be doing. I love my clients and I love learning new things this industry has to offer.

My advise to you is....find a salon that has a tech and/or owner that is willing to train you. By no means does anyone ever learn all that they need to know in school. You are basically getting your "license to learn". I only hire new techs in my salon. But that's because I love to train/teach. And I believe everyone needs a place to start. I provide training for my techs for everything from how to polish, to how to file and shape the nails, to more advanced things such as using an efile and providing services such as hot stone pedicures. I also teach my techs what they need to know about various medical conditions that may be seen in the salon and how to proceed with caution (ex. diabetics and clients with issues with blood clotting, etc.). But with time, your speed and efficiency will improve. And hopefully you will be able to find a salon that offers training and guidance.

Good luck to you in your new endeavor.

 re: The New Tech Checks In

left by Scott at 8/15/2011 5:47 AM
Can someone tell me how long it takes to become a nail tech.... whats the process?

# re: The New Tech Checks In

Gravatar left by Melodie Hand at 8/17/2011 2:13 PM
Scott, the requirements vary from state to state. You would need to check with your state's Board of Cosmetology to find out what the requirements are where you live.

 re: The New Tech Checks In

Gravatar left by Lupe H. at 8/23/2011 12:14 PM
Thank you Tammy & melodie for your words of encouragement. I'll keep you updated. :)

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