Nails - Can you help me with some research?

[Pammeanswhy]

I hope this is allowed.

I am considering training to become a nail technician and start a small business at home. We had an annexe built for elderly parents who have sadly now both passed away, so I have a good-sized, private room which could be ideal for this.

I am in the process of creating a small business plan to try and establish if this might work, but I'm new to this entity and keen to gain a bit more knowledge in this field. If you have your nails 'done' regularly, I'd really appreciate it if you would mind sharing your experiences by answering any or all of the questions below for me:

• How often do you have your nails done?
• What nail products do you have applied professionally - eg. gel, builder gel, acrylics etc.?
• Do you visit a commercial salon, or a home-based salon, or does your technician come to you?
• What appointment days and times do you prefer?
• Does your visit include a manicure and if so, what does that comprise?
• Do you have nail art applied and if so, do you roughly know what you want before your appointment or would you appreciate some inspiration from your technician?
• What, if anything, would improve your experience of getting your nails done?
• How important to you is the look/ambiance of the room you have your nails done in?
• And finally...if you are happy to state roughly how much you pay for your appointment, that would be great.

Thank you so much in advance, any information is greatly appreciated.

• How often do you have your nails done? Around every 3 weeks
• What nail products do you have applied professionally - eg. gel, builder gel, acrylics etc.? I have SNS powder and a shiny hard gel top coat. Natural nails no extensions.
• Do you visit a commercial salon, or a home-based salon, or does your technician come to you? I go to a salon
• What appointment days and times do you prefer? I choose a lunch time appointment on one of my WFH days (Monday or Friday)
• Does your visit include a manicure and if so, what does that comprise? No I just have the old SNS soaked off and newly reapplied
• Do you have nail art applied and if so, do you roughly know what you want before your appointment or would you appreciate some inspiration from your technician? No, the most I would get is a french tip (I now like very neutral nails, but when I was younger and more fun I would scroll Instagram and send inspo to my nail tech)
• What, if anything, would improve your experience of getting your nails done? I just like it to be fast and precise so it can be done within my lunch hour. Starting on time is important.
• How important to you is the look/ambiance of the room you have your nails done in? So long as it is clean and not too loud (although I know my nail tech very well and will sometimes listen to a work seminar I have to catch up on, and she has her music on and we’re happy!)
• And finally...if you are happy to state roughly how much you pay for your appointment, that would be great. I pay £38 per appointment including soak off and SNS

Good luck! X

• How often do you have your nails done?

I get my nails done every 3 weeks although I will pull it in to 2 weeks if I have a holiday planned

• What nail products do you have applied professionally - eg. gel, builder gel, acrylics etc.?

I get calgel/biab on my nails and have been getting this done for approx 14 years

• Do you visit a commercial salon, or a home-based salon, or does your technician come to you?

My nail technician just started up on her own in an annex in her garden so I go there Prior to that she worked in a salon I much prefer the feel of her cabin in the garden

• What appointment days and times do you prefer?

I’m pretty easy don’t tend to go on a Saturday as that’s family time I work until 2pm so I tend to get my appointments for 2.30

• Does your visit include a manicure and if so, what does that comprise?

No manicure as such she does sort out my cuticles and trims and shapes my nails before polish goes on

• Do you have nail art applied and if so, do you roughly know what you want before your appointment or would you appreciate some inspiration from your technician?

No I don’t like it it’s not for me although I think it’s super popular

• What, if anything, would improve your experience of getting your nails done?

Nothing at all although because I’m a regular I would rather she didn’t charge me extra for removal as I am literally there every 3 weeks

• How important to you is the look/ambiance of the room you have your nails done in?

Not as important as the nail technician themselves however it does need to be cosy

• And finally...if you are happy to state roughly how much you pay for your appointment, that would be

I pay £34 for hands and £30 for feet Extra for removal No deals at all

How often do you have your nails done?

Every 3-4 weeks.

• What nail products do you have applied professionally - eg. gel, builder gel, acrylics etc.?

I have BIAB only every time now.
• Do you visit a commercial salon, or a home-based salon, or does your technician come to you?

Salon. Love the banter there.

• What appointment days and times do you prefer?

I either do Saturday or evenings as I work full time.

• Does your visit include a manicure and if so, what does that comprise?

File off old stuff, put on new, hand massage.

• Do you have nail art applied and if so, do you roughly know what you want before your appointment or would you appreciate some inspiration from your technician?

No. Hate all that.
• What, if anything, would improve your experience of getting your nails done?

A comfy chair. But the thing I love is the chat and a relationship with my technician.

• How important to you is the look/ambiance of the room you have your nails done in?

Quite important. I like getting a coffee offered and it is good to be able to use the loo, if needed. Good music.

• And finally...if you are happy to state roughly how much you pay for your

£44 in a posh town in Scotland

• How often do you have your nails done?

Varies, if im flush, every few weeks, or if skint, before special events

• What nail products do you have applied professionally - eg. gel, builder gel, acrylics etc.?

Gel polish only

• Do you visit a commercial salon, or a home-based salon, or does your technician come to you?

Commercial and home based ones

• What appointment days and times do you prefer?

Weekday evenings or Weekends all day

• Does your visit include a manicure and if so, what does that comprise?

Can add on luxe stuff ie hand cream/massage otherwise all polish application also includes nail shaping/cuticles done etc

• Do you have nail art applied and if so, do you roughly know what you want before your appointment or would you appreciate some inspiration from your technician?

Rarely, always appreciate ideas from the tech!

• What, if anything, would improve your experience of getting your nails done?

Online booking

• How important to you is the look/ambiance of the room you have your nails done in?

In a commercial setting, important, but in a home setting not too fussed as long as not in a chaotic living room with kids/pets wandering in and out.

• And finally...if you are happy to state roughly how much you pay for your appointment, that would be great.

£25-30 depending if its removal included or not for plain gel polish, more if detailed art/more time consuming. Largeish town in Northern Ireland/not Belfast

I do my own nails every week. I have them professionally done once a blue moon and this is because when I do the polish either immediately is damaged or doesn't last, or my nails are ruined ( when I had gel nails done). When I do my own I use non toxic nail varnish or nail wraps and they last a full week ( 2 with wraps) and look good. I would regularly pay to get my nails done if the emphasis was not on acrylic/ fake nails/ gel nails etc. Even the biab involves filing the surface area if the nail which is very damaging. If natural nail varnish on natural nails done well was offered with a focus on healthy nails without fake stuff on them then I would pay for that as a pamper half hour without the faff of doing my own nails. I can't seem to find it though!

@Chillilounger

That's really interesting to read. I absolutely don't want to do acrylic nails, I'm not sure I could tolerate the toxic fumes to be honest and I just don't like them. I am toying with the idea of offering just a good old-fashioned, traditional file and polish using a good quality natural nail varnish, as well as basic gel and builder gel. As a victim of over-processed nails myself (I haven't had my own done for almost year to allow them to recover), I would also like to offer restorative treatments for the natural nail and not just enhancements

Your post is very encouraging that there may well be a demand for this type of service, thank you!

How often do you have your nails done?

A few times a year for Xmas, holidays, weddings.

• What nail products do you have applied professionally - eg. gel, builder gel, acrylics etc.?

BIAB - need to be the real deal but The Gel Bottle not a 'builder gel' they never last as well as biab.

• Do you visit a commercial salon, or a home-based salon, or does your technician come to you?

Salon.

• What appointment days and times do you prefer?

Friday, I don't work that day.

• Does your visit include a manicure and if so, what does that comprise?

It includes all prep work, cuticles etc.

• Do you have nail art applied and if so, do you roughly know what you want before your appointment or would you appreciate some inspiration from your technician?

I don't but it is something I would get.

• What, if anything, would improve your experience of getting your nails done?

I'm pretty happy with the salon I go to now, but I have been to smaller home salons and I didn't like it the atmosphere, it just felt awkward and the results weren't as high quality.

• How important to you is the look/ambiance of the room you have your nails done in?

Very!

• And finally...if you are happy to state roughly how much you pay for your appointment, that would be great.

I pay £40 for BIAB + gel colour.

• How often do you have your nails done? Every 3-4 weeks
• What nail products do you have applied professionally - eg. gel, builder gel, acrylics etc.? Gel
• Do you visit a commercial salon, or a home-based salon, or does your technician come to you? Home-based salon
• What appointment days and times do you prefer? Mon-Fri, after 5.30
• Does your visit include a manicure and if so, what does that comprise? A basic manicure, trimming, filing, sorting out cuticles
• Do you have nail art applied and if so, do you roughly know what you want before your appointment or would you appreciate some inspiration from your technician? No - my nail tech doesn't do it but does offer glitters and foils etc
• What, if anything, would improve your experience of getting your nails done? Nothing
• How important to you is the look/ambiance of the room you have your nails done in? Not very, but I do appreciate a nice warm room, some music playing etc.
• And finally...if you are happy to state roughly how much you pay for your appointment, that would be great. £28 including removal of old gel and strengthener applied

• How often do you have your nails done?

4-5 weeks

• What nail products do you have applied professionally - eg. gel, builder gel, acrylics etc.?

Biab - the place I go is vegan coming plus for me

• Do you visit a commercial salon, or a home-based salon, or does your technician come to you?

Small commercial vegan nail salon (4 techs)

• What appointment days and times do you prefer?

Saturdays or evenings after 5

• Does your visit include a manicure and if so, what does that comprise?

       Have removal, biab infill, new nail           colour/art/cuticles and nail shape

• Do you have nail art applied and if so, do you roughly know what you want before your appointment or would you appreciate some inspiration from your technician?

usually go with inspiration (3 levels of nail art - they are incredible at the detailed ones) but they have a cute gumball wildcard machine too

• What, if anything, would improve your experience of getting your nails done?

nothing I love the place

• How important to you is the look/ambiance of the room you have your nails done in?

salon has a really cosy vibe and the girls are so lovely

• And finally...if you are happy to state roughly how much you pay for your appointment, that would be great.

£43 for removal/infill and simple nail art I think it’s £55 for intricate

How often do you have your nails done?
Every 3 weeks
• What nail products do you have applied professionally - eg. gel, builder gel, acrylics etc.?
Acrylic overlay and gel polish, no extensions but my nails break easily without the acrylic coat
• Do you visit a commercial salon, or a home-based salon, or does your technician come to you?
A salon
• What appointment days and times do you prefer?
Evenings or Saturday morning around work
• Does your visit include a manicure and if so, what does that comprise?
Trim, shape, cuticle tidy up and cuticle oil
• Do you have nail art applied and if so, do you roughly know what you want before your appointment or would you appreciate some inspiration from your technician?
No nail art, just plain colour. The salon has colour samples to choose from but I generally know which colour before I go as I stick to shades of red
• What, if anything, would improve your experience of getting your nails done?
Salon can be busy and noisy at peak times, would prefer it quieter
• How important to you is the look/ambiance of the room you have your nails done in?
Look not too important, though needs to look and be clean
• And finally...if you are happy to state roughly how much you pay for your appointment, that would be great
£25, dd has just polish, no acrylic, and I pay £15 for her

How often do you have your nails done?
Approx every 3 weeks

What nail products do you have applied professionally - eg. gel, builder gel, acrylics etc.?
Acrylics

Do you visit a commercial salon, or a home-based salon, or does your technician come to you?
Commercial salon - just one nail tech

What appointment days and times do you prefer?
Mid/late afternoon

Does your visit include a manicure and if so, what does that comprise?
Trim nails, file them, cuticle care & oils

Do you have nail art applied and if so, do you roughly know what you want before your appointment or would you appreciate some inspiration from your technician?

I dont like nail art. My technician does it though, it's very popular

What, if anything, would improve your experience of getting your nails done?
Coffee 😁

How important to you is the look/ambiance of the room you have your nails done in?
Not hugely but the room i go to is all whites and pinks & it's lovely

And finally...if you are happy to state roughly how much you pay for your appointment, that would be great.
About £20

Thanks so much to everyone for your replies - it's really helpful. I have been pretty much bed-ridden since I posted this, a chest infection decided to turn into pneumonia, so apologies for not replying before.

Lots to think about here, and as soon as this germ has done one, I'll be looking for some courses to join!

Thanks again :-)

I think specialising in something would be a good idea. Recovery and treatment as so many people's nails are wrecked.

If a wonderful beautician or masseuse leaves a business and sets up on their own, particularly in their own home, the things that determine if I follow them are:
Online booking
Availability of toilet
Cleanliness
Ambience - hard no to children or (most) pets wondering in

Hope this helps

Just want to flag that my oncologist (skin cancer) staunchly advises against any nail treatments that require a UV lamp. They are seeing increasing cases of melanoma in the nail beds since gels have been in fashion.
I'd think about offering a safe alternative

Hi. I thought I’d just mention that as a nail tech myself I am wrapping up my little business. I find it hard to get customers as most people already have someone that does their nails and those that don’t, don’t want their nails done very regularly. My advice is to give it a go but don’t spend too much on it in case it doesn’t work out. X

every 4th Monday (as it’s quieter)

• BIAB infill and gel, never nail art
• commercial salon
• people arrive with screenshots of what they want
• the salon has lots of cards with well maintained samples, uses drills rather than acrylic soaking dishes and drills to trim cuticles, has a large tv with a playlist and a foot bath for pedicures
• there is no appointment system, it’s wait only which is unusual ime
• each technician seems to have a specialism so they move from customer to customer (not applicable to you but for info)
• the salon is long, wide, brightly lit, painted white, professional like those on high streets
• £25 with a loyalty card giving £5 off the fifth visit

Good luck!

I do my own nails, and I've never had them done in a salon. What would tempt me in is a service that mends splits in natural nails in a way that actually works, so the damn things stay mended! I'd also like a service to put a false nail/nail tip on a broken-off natural nail, so the one broken nail is the same length as the nine unbroken nails.

I have acrylics done every 4 weeks. My tech works from home in a garden office.

I have acrylics with gel polish on top. Sometimes I have nail art, she requested I send her what I want the day before my appt so she can practice if needed. I get these pictures from pinterest.

I pay £25, sometimes a couple of £ more if it's a complex design.

I did this very successfully for 12 years but gave it up after covid.
Sorry op but I would strongly discourage anyone starting out in nails as a career/business now. There's no money in it unless you are really prepared to be at the very top of the game.

For perspective, people seem to pay £25 ish a set now... I was charging more than that in 2011 with much lower costs. That's for a standard gel polish/biab type natural nail service.

Noone has standard polish or classic manicures any more and havent for at least 10 years. (and I mean maybe a handful of clients in a busy salon each year!) Only exception is maybe pedi's if people don't want to pay the upgrade difference to gel polish but again really rare.

Hope I'm not pissing on your ice cream I just really think you need to do your sums and look at how saturated it is now.

• How often do you have your nails done? every three weeks
• What nail products do you have applied professionally - eg. gel, builder gel, acrylics etc.? Biab with gel over
• Do you visit a commercial salon, or a home-based salon, or does your technician come to you? Home based salon walking distance away
• What appointment days and times do you prefer? 4pm/5pm or weekend mornings
• Does your visit include a manicure and if so, what does that comprise? No
• Do you have nail art applied and if so, do you roughly know what you want before your appointment or would you appreciate some inspiration from your technician? I take along instagram pictures but follow her page as well, sometimes choosing from her previously posted designs
• What, if anything, would improve your experience of getting your nails done? If she didn’t have a dog! It’s kept away but makes me a bit nervous when I walk in, so if you have a separate entrance it might be helpful
• How important to you is the look/ambiance of the room you have your nails done in? Quite, I’d expect clean, tidy and with some pretty things in, radio on to stop it being awkward
• And finally...if you are happy to state roughly how much you pay for your appointment, that would be great.£30

@shortfatfatty not at all, thank you for the honesty, and all of what you've said has niggled away at me over the past few weeks. I'm fortunate that this doesn't have to be a 'full time' earner for me - I'm not too far off retirement age and I just need something to do that will give me a modest income to help with the bills unttil it's pension time! We have recently retired from our small business after 20 years of really hard work, so I'd like to do something with fewer hours and which I would enjoy doing. I am increasingly interested in offering more of a nail health and recovery service than enhancements. I have just spent 6 months coaxing my own nails back to recovery after years of acrylics/gel/biab, and I love how they feel and look in their natural state now. More food for thought!