TIP OF THE WEEK #8
by Vicki Peters

Well ladies this week what I thought I would do is use this tip of the week
thingy and send you an article I wrote for the Beauty Industry Report. I
wrote the article a few months back and was not sure they would print it and
they did! The BIR, The Beauty Industry Report, is a newletter (or rag sheet
as I call it) that Mike Nave (very well known industry expert) that writes
sutff like who is who, what companies have purchased other companies, gossip
and other things that keep us on top of what is happening in the entire
beauty industry on a whole different level. I thought you might find it an
interesting read. I am especially proud of getting this article printed
because it puts me the same "Guest Columnist" category with the likes of
Robert Oppenhiem and other industry icons I look up to.

IS THE NAIL INDUSTRY REALLY FLAT?
Some industry experts say the nail industry is flat and has been for a few
years and in some cases that may be true. Well from my "perspective" I
disagree, it's not flat it is just changing. Many of the nail techs I know
across the country have recently expressed to me they are busier than ever -
why is that if the nail industry is flat?

In any industry change is inevitable in order to grow your business, you know
that, but the technicians are just now figuring that out. The days of
entering the nail business and building an artificial clientele in a year is
gone and it takes more work now to be successful. The new age of manicuring
is more mature and comes equipped with business savy and customer service
skills. They are paying attention to trends and reacting to the needs of
their customer, which is the baby boomer with a spendable income.

So where is the nail industry headed? I think directly into the spa
business. The baby boomer wants to be pampered and wants the high end
product to go with that pampering. Everyone else will end up in a discount
salon. The Spa hand and foot skincare/home care product is the perfect
retail item and is no where to be found in the nail industry. If you don't
believe me just take a tour of the spas that have popped up in Las Vegas
alone that cater to the local clientele not the visiting tourists.

Some manufacturers have reacted to the requests of the professional nail
techs and as a result there are a handful of very good manicure and pedicure
products available today. However, there are no true skincare products made
specifically for nail services or the education to accompany them so the nail
tech has cross over to the skincare side of the business to get what she
needs. Parrafin dips and mud wraps are what the average tech thinks a spa
manicure is, there is so much more and the techs want to learn so why isn't
someone taking the opportunity here?

Sure the acrylic market may be a bit flat but the opportunity to grow the
nail industry is there, just take a look at what is happening with the
success of Dayspa Magazine. Change is inevitable and the successful nail
techs are the ones who will make the change even if they have to go somewhere
else to get what they need. And go they do - to the skincare shows.

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