Everyone wants beautiful nails. However, maintaining picture-perfect nails takes time and commitment. Fortunately, manicurists offer professional nail treatments and beautification. Are you interested in learning how to open your own manicure and pedicure business? Owning a nail business isn’t as simple as selecting a location. Nail technicians are trained, licensed professionals who must comply with strict regulations. First, let’s look at what a nail technician does.

What Does a Nail Technician Do?

First, it’s important to establish the services offered by nail technicians. Nail technicians perform both manicures and pedicures. These services go beyond simply “painting nails.” In addition to beautifying nails, professional manicure and pedicure services nourish and strengthen nails.

Manicure

A manicure is a beauty treatment that uses professional tools, waxes, and creams to nourish nails and skin. It helps improve the texture, appearance, and health of the entire hand. It also leaves nails and skin looking polished and fresh. A manicure experience is relaxing for the customer. While every manicurist has their own technique, a typical manicure consists of the following:

• Softening and removing dead skin from the cuticle.
• Shaping the nail with a file.
• Applying a base coat.
• Applying a final coat. Special designs can also be added.

Throughout the course of a manicure, a nail technician is cleaning, shaping, and strengthening the nail in anticipation of applying a long-lasting top coat. A manicure can last anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes. A longer process called a “full manicure” adds artificial nails over existing nails to strengthen, lengthen, and enhance them.

Pedicure

A pedicure is “manicure” for the toes. When performing pedicures, nail technicians remove dead skin from the foot and heel to soften skin. A pedicure may also include a foot soak that helps to soothe and moisturize the rough skin on the feet. Here’s a look at what a standard pedicure entail:

• Exfoliating the feet with minerals and salts to eliminate dead skin.
• Moisturizing feet with soothing creams and oils.
• Cutting and shaping cuticles and toenails.
• Using hot stones or wraps to relax and soothe the feet.
• Applying long-lasting toenail polish.

Because of the added pampering provided, pedicures often take much longer than manicures. Each one can last for 30 to 90 minutes. Most nail salons offer different pedicure packages that include Classic French pedicures, gel pedicures, and full-service “spa” pedicures.

How Do You Learn to Give Manicures and Pedicures?

Manicures and pedicures are intensive beauty treatments that require certification and training. Training is needed because performing these treatments requires a great deal of precision and technical knowledge. Manicurists must know how to promote cuticle and nail-bed health using specialized cutting and cuticle-pushing techniques. They must also understand how different products work together to soften, exfoliate, and moisturize skin. Of course, there’s also an artistic skill that’s needed when applying polishes. However, there’s another important reason why nail technicians need to be formally educated.

During the training process, aspiring nail technicians learn about essential practices for hygiene and sanitation. Due to the invasive nature of a mani-pedis, it’s essential that nail technicians know how to safely and hygienically use tools and instruments that remove skin in the sensitive areas surrounding fingernails and toenails. This is one of the reasons why nail salons are so heavily regulated.

Where do nail technicians go to get trained? The diploma needed for becoming a manicurist can be obtained through a cosmetology program. The exciting part about enrolling in a cosmetology program is that it provides a variety of hands-on and academic training to equip future cosmetologists with what they need to thrive in a variety of settings. As part of a cosmetology program, students learn all aspects of hairstyling, facials, skincare, makeup application, and nail care.

How Can I Start a Manicure and Pedicure Business?

There are many paths to starting your own manicure and pedicure business. However, the journey starts by enrolling in a cosmetology program at a vocational school. A formal education is needed to obtain the state licensing required to operate as a professional nail technician. It’s important to note that attempting to run a manicure and pedicure business without proper licensing can result in fines, legal liability, and other repercussions.

The requirement for attending a vocational school to obtain a cosmetology diploma shouldn’t be thought of as a roadblock to a career. This small “barrier to entry” is important for distinguishing qualified, trained nail technicians from amateur nail technicians. Plus, instructors in a diploma program are there to help you turn your raw talent into marketable skills. A cosmetology program provides:

• Instruction from expert cosmetologists.
• Hands-on training designed to help you learn how to perform services for real clients.
• Training for a wide variety of skills that cover nails, hair, skin, makeup, and facials.
• Safety and hygiene training that will enable you to comply with all health and safety codes that are legally required when working in salon or spa environments.
• Education in business, marketing, customer service, and other subjects that can help you to develop a successful business.

Upon graduating from a cosmetology program, aspiring nail technicians have what they need to move forward with their career goals. They are also equipped to take the state licensing test that allows them to obtain certification. In Florida, you are able to sit for the Florida Cosmetology Exam only after graduating from a Florida cosmetology school. This exam is a two-part test that consists of a written theory exam and written clinical exam. Each part contains 65 multiple-choice questions that must be completed within 90 minutes. Once you’ve successfully passed both portions, you will be issued your Florida cosmetology license.

Deciding What to Do After Graduating from Cosmetology School

Graduates have a world of possibilities after obtaining cosmetology licensing. While many plan to open their own nail salons, others decide to learn more about the industry by taking jobs at salons and spas. Learning the fundamentals of how to run a successful nail salon by working at a one after graduation can be an important part of formulating a business plan. However, it’s not required.

There’s no rule that says you must work as a salon employee for a certain number of years before you open your own business. As a licensed cosmetologist, you have an advantage over someone who simply wants to get into the nail salon business for profit instead of passion. That’s because salons must be owned by actual licensed cosmetologists. Next, let’s take a look at the other things needed to open your own nail salon.

What’s Needed to Open a Nail Salon?

After graduating from a Cosmetology program and getting your nail technician license, there are a few additional steps to opening your own nail salon.

Location. Location. Location.

The first step to opening your own nail salon is choosing a location. This is something that many business owners do with help from a real estate agent. Typically, business owners lease spaces from commercial landlords. This locks them into a long-term space without the need to actually purchase expensive real estate. In most cases, tenants can update the space to meet their specific needs. Expect to spend time and resources on “building out” the interior of the space you choose to turn it into a salon that meets all local code requirements. A real estate agent may be able to help you find an existing salon space that already has many of the features you’ll need for your business. However, it may be worth the investment of updating a space if you’re able to get a storefront in a highly desirable location.

A Salon License

It’s necessary to apply for a salon license when opening a salon in Florida. As part of the licensing process, an inspector will visit the salon space for an initial inspection. However, Florida salon owners are not required to wait to open until the inspection happens. A passing grade on your inspection simply means that your salon can stay open. If your salon does not pass, you’ll be given an opportunity to make necessary changes to keep your salon open. Recurring inspections will take place every other year.

Employees

A nail salon is rarely a one-person operation. That means that you’ll need to hire employees to help you get your doors open. Each salon owner can scale their operation based on their financial goals. However, it’s helpful to have a receptionist/scheduler, several nail technicians available for different shifts, and a general assistant. As a salon owner, you can handle inventory, vendor relationships, and marketing to save on costs during. Many nail salon owners also help clients because it allows them to save money while also keeping their skills sharp.

Marketing

It’s important to let your community know that your new salon is open for business. Many new salon owners choose to hire small marketing agencies that specialize in spreading the word about local businesses. It’s also possible to use online ads, social media, and local newspaper ads to spread the word. With location-based keywords, salon owners can use websites and social media to advertise their services. Don’t forget about great signage. Signs and banners that announce your grand opening can call attention your new nail salon.

Final Thoughts

Owning the best new nail salon in town always starts with the right training. Luckily, a cosmetology diploma can be obtained at a local vocational school. Learn more about this important step today.

Want to Learn More?

Are you ready to enjoy the many opportunities available in nail, hair, makeup, and facials? Meridian College offers a Cosmetology training program in Florida that prepares you to deliver high–quality beauty and hair services to both men and women. Their hands–on Cosmetology training program gives you the skills you need to start an exciting career and become a leader in the beauty industry.

Contact Meridian College today to learn more about becoming a cosmetologist or nail technician.