December, the most wonderful time of the year, right?
Every lash & nail technician thinks so. That is, we think about it all year long. We can't wait for the start of the 12th month to decorate the salons. For all of you obsessed with glittery hanging objects, this is delirium. A festive orgasm of decorating walls, windows, pine trees, lamp posts, even toilets... Because, just let it sparkle.
You're planning a family (or friends) weekend in Zagreb. Visit Advent, go on a funfair, try buns, dumplings, sausages... Spend a little of everything you've earned over the year, relax.
We "self-employed" individuals have a lot of plans in this most beautiful month of the year.
And so the 12th month comes and you haven't had any free appointments for weeks, but you're constantly stressed. Why?
Because you're turning away clients who request appointments at the last minute every day. Because clients who have had appointments for months are now suddenly moving them, canceling them, not showing up...
Because you're squeezing people into "non-existent" appointments at 6 before work or 10 after work.
Because you're in the salon from morning until tomorrow and you come home to your dark apartment (because you haven't managed to hang a single shiny lamp yet) and you collapse into bed, exhausted, thinking that tomorrow you won't be able to move because of the pain.
Here is a small guide and some tips to avoid giving:
1. Keep your prices realistic throughout the year and value your service as it really deserves. Because earning a few kunas more this month won't save you from returning to the reality of working the rest of the year. That way, what you earn during your "normal" working hours will simply be enough for you and you'll actually be happy to have your shift filled and lead a NORMAL life the rest of the day.
Many technicians work double shifts in the 12th month because they HAVE to, because they simply don't have enough clients for the rest of the year and don't want to miss out on the opportunity to make more money. And that's okay. We fight for our bread, our clients, and we try to make a good living from our work. That means you've had more than enough time in November to prepare for everything that awaits you. If that means hanging glittery balls on November 15th, then so be it, the important thing is that you're ready. And your clients won't mind the Christmas atmosphere.
Everyone else, who is full all year, what is your reason for the 13-hour shift?
Do you want to accommodate all clients so that none are left behind?
You know that by dropping in clients before or after work, you're just giving the green light for them to ask for you next year as well... At every opportunity.
Clients are ok. I'm someone's client too. You're someone's client too. You ask, you search, if it works, it works. If not, you keep searching.
Or like me, you buy your own hair dye and dye it. And you buy a set of eyelashes and stick them on.
Or go somewhere where there's room.
It's my own fault. Why, because of my forgetfulness, won't someone's child see the children's choir and Santa Claus, because mom had to put my locks on him after work hours.
2. Learn to say NO!
Unfortunately, we are full, we don't have any this week. Unfortunately, the first available date is 10.01.
Yes, of course, I will write down your phone number and let you know if anyone else cancels.
You want to cancel, no problem, the first available date is 10.01.
Hello, good afternoon. We just had an appointment open, would you like to come?
Short, simple, and clear conversations will definitely make your job easier.
Organizing and making phone calls with clients instead of typing messages.
3. If the client is late, no problem...
Do whatever you can in the time she paid for. If that means she'll wear light volume instead of Mega, then so be it. If that means she'll have plain nude nails instead of a Christmas tree on a red background, then so be it.
Without hesitation or fear, explain to clients the consequences of being late. Every normal person understands that, right?
If you don't understand, that's still not a problem. That's your rule and you don't have to justify yourself to anyone.
4. Don't offer clients 550,000 nail polishes and expect them to make a decision in a minute.
When we all walk into a store with 1000 similar items, we usually don't buy anything. But when we walk into a store with great pieces in a few cool colors, we usually immediately find something we like.
5.Eat!
Between each client, steal a few minutes for a snack. Keep a bottle of water by your side. No one will fail because of the 5 minutes you took for your basic human needs.
6. Stretch between each client.
While you're chewing in the kitchen, stretch your legs, arms, and wrists. Nothing good will come of it if you can't get out of bed one morning.
7. During the treatment, talk to your clients about their next appointment, so that those unnecessary 5 minutes of discussing a free date (which will end up like: "I'll call you when I get back from skiing") can be used for points 5 and 6.
8. It's not a problem if you cancel!!!
No, it really isn't.
When you're in a situation where your vision is blurry, you're dizzy, you can't feel your fingers or hands, hello?
Well, you're not a surgeon. No one's life depends on those nails or eyelashes. But, UNFORTUNATELY, your life and health may depend on it. Maybe this exact moment was the turning point of your permanent damage. Nerves, tendons... I'm not a doctor, but I know what some colleagues look like who didn't know how to stop on time, so today they spend all their earnings on medications, physiotherapists and blocks. Not to mention what prolonged sitting does to our "female" organs.
A phone call, a sincere apology, and unfortunately, my health is more important. Trying to find a colleague, goodwill... But it's not a duty.
I don't remember a single doctor ever apologizing to me for waiting months for an appointment, only for a kind nurse to call me the day before and carelessly reschedule my appointment for next month when "the doctor returned from a business trip."
My dear women.
Which of you has seen anything other than the 4 walls of your living room this month?
The most wonderful time of the year, yeah right!
PS The Germknedle aren't really anything special, but they're definitely worth going for.
Happy holidays everyone 🎄🎄🎄
Xx
Martin
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