TIP OF THE WEEK #29
PEDICURES WITH NO PLUMBING by Vicki Peters

Terry from NY (Majenli@Catskill.net) asked recently on the list about what to 
do if you don't have plumbing for a pedicure chair and I thought this would 
make a great tip of the week. I had one of my best pedicures in a footbath 
and big oversized chair, one that far surpassed any I have received in a 
pedicure chair. Now I am not going to talk you out of buying one, I am just 
going to give you some alternatives that I feel are just as good in case you 
don't have the budget to purchase one. 

First of all the pedicure chairs are pricey and you have to figure the 
plumbing that goes along with one into the price. If you don't have the 
salon plumbed before you open it - ripping up the floor is what you need to 
think about. Plumbing needs to go in the floor. Another thing to consider is 
some of us bigger ladies do not fit into those chairs - so shop wisely. Plus 
someone who is handicapped may have a challenge climbing up so be sure to 
think the purchase through. 

Another consideration is the products you use for the bath need to be 
"whirlpool friendly" and some are not. So shop in that direction too. 

So if you do not have the funds or space here are some alternatives to 
creating a great pedicure area using a footbath.

First understand the pedicure is about 2 things, 1. About creating the 
experience for the client and 2. The work you do on the pedicure. You can 
do a lousy job on a pedicure that will totally undo the experience. You can 
easily create the ambiance in any environment - so don't just pick a corner 
of your salon and set up a pedicure area. Candles, soothing music and a 
quiet environment. Décor should be soft and the area semi-private. You can 
create a private space with decorative patricians that can be purchases at 
Pier 1 or a similar store. Set them up around the pedicure area for privacy. 
Add plants and maybe a portable waterfall. You need to set the "tone" with 
an area the screams out "relaxation". Not sure about décor? Look in 
decorating magazines or a Martha Stuart book for ideas. 

NEXT THE CHAIR. I love oversized stuff recliners. Get one that does not 
swivel tho. You can place a clean sheet over it for a sanitary environment if 
you want. Unless you want to sit on the floor you need to raise the chair 
some how. So what I would do is built a platform

BUILDING THE PALTFORM. I would get my handy dandy husband (if I had one of 
course!) to build me a longer than wider platform that would hold the chair 
and provide me space to place the pedicure bath in front of it so I could 
scoot a chair or stool up to it. Make it short enough that you don't have to 
bend over to reach the client's feet. Maybe 6: longer than the space needed 
for the chair and pedicure bath. Make it wide enough to provide space for a 
step on each side - maybe 1 to 1 12 feet on each side of the chair. You may 
want to wire the platform for a plug in the font for a lamp and to plug the 
pedicure bath in to. And you can drill a hole thru the platform for your 
mainicuring lamp too.

THE COVERING. If you want to get fancy cover the platform with ceramic tile 
or laminate it with Formica, something that I am sure with a little reading 
up anyone can do. Carpeting the platform is another option, however something 
waterproof is a bit more practical. Especially if you spill you pedicure 
bath as much as I do!

THE COST. I am not sure because I never did one, however I would assume with 
smart shopping you could do this for under $1000. And why not do a platform 
for two pedicuring chairs?

DISCLAIMER
Any products mentioned in the "Tip Of The Week by Vicki Peters" is not an 
endorsement of any kind.