"I actually got hooked when getting my nails done," says nail technician
Vicki Peters.
"My manicurist said I asked too many questions and suggested I go to school,
so I did."
Now, Peters is an award-winning nail technician and the owner of a Las
Vegas-based nail business.
She says the most challenging part of this job is the lack of education
and direction manicurists receive from schools and state boards.
"There needs to be a nail college or apprentice program or some kind of
national certification," she says. She adds that "savvy nail techs seek out
private training and attend trade shows and classes."
To Peters, the most rewarding thing about this profession is making clients
feel great about themselves.
"We are in a touchy-feely business and most women get their nails done
for more reasons than having their nails look good. It should be a relaxing
environment where the client feels it is 'her time.' It is a social
time as well," says Peters.
Kathy Lynn Payne is a nail technician. She started as a hairdresser, then
expanded to nails. "I decided to start doing nails after I had many requests
from clients about whether I did them," says Payne.
She was taking classes in make-up artistry at the time. One of her teachers
told them about a light concept nails workshop that was coming up. "It sounded
interesting, and I had so many requests, so I decided to do it."
Payne says a challenge of this field is getting a client to talk when they
are sitting right in front of you.
"I have a habit of slowing down when I have to lead the conversation, and
I find this stressful when I'm trying to do their nails and open up the
discussion."
To Payne, the reward is in seeing a client's reaction to the finished
product. "You get to make these craggy nails look beautiful, and it makes
you feel good when the client is just going gaga over them right in front
of you."
One of her most challenging experiences in this business also happened
to be her most rewarding. "I had this lady call me in for a set of nails,
but she sounded very skeptical about getting it done," says Payne.
"Then she told me that her husband really wanted her to get them done to
make herself feel better." Several years earlier, the women lost a finger
in a work-related accident.
"She was still in a lot of pain, so I was afraid that I would hurt her
when filing. But we found a way for her to keep talking a lot so it would
distract her from what was happening -- and it seemed to work pretty well."
At first, the woman was very self-conscious about the hand with a missing
finger, and she shielded it with her other hand. By the time Payne finished,
the client was holding both hands out for her.
"Just seeing how she looked at her hands afterwards was very rewarding,"
says Payne.
Her advice for aspiring nail technicians is to "get well trained and practice,
practice, practice -- and then practice some more. Drag your friends, family
and neighbors, even strangers, for free sets of nails and fills to get your
technique down pat."
Dino Padula is also a nail technician. He says the most challenging thing
about this career is "to make the hands beautiful," and the most rewarding
are "satisfied clients and a good income."
"I would say this field has changed drastically for the best over the years,"
says Padula. "We have a choice of products and electrical equipment that we
didn't have before. Also, disinfection products and equipment is better.
It's much easier."
Would he encourage anyone to go into this field? Certainly! "There is a
demand. More and more people ask where they can get a good nail tech. We need
to encourage anyone who is interested in this profession."
Besides talent and an artistic flair, you must also be a good listener.
"What I look for in a nail tech is someone who can work with people. They
must have lots of patience and be a good listener."
Padula adds that dedication to the job is extremely important. "They must
be and act professional and be well-groomed. This says they think a lot of
themselves."
Valery Lawlor, known simply as Valery, is another nail tech success story.
She was inspired to give it a try after having her nails done several times.
"Being a creative, artistic person, I thought I could do better, that it should
be done better, so I did!"
Her professionalism and dedication really paid off. Years ago, she had
a client come in who was a nail biter. This woman had never really had a good
experience with her nails.
"I spent a lot of extra time, educating her and assuring her. She was delighted
that there was no pain involved and very pleased with the beautiful, natural
look," says Valery. Weeks passed and the client still had beautiful nails.
As it turned out, this person worked in the film industry. Word of Valery's
great work got around. "I then got plenty of work throughout the film industry.
I even got calls from L.A."
She obviously followed her own advice: "Always strive to be better each
day. Do not settle for less."