About two years ago I started getting acrylic nails. I LOVE them. Before we moved over here from fashionhag, I asked if anyone had done their own nails and I got an encouraging response from someone that had successfully done their own with no formal training. I have decided that I want to do my own to save some money. It would also be a help to me timewise. I have watched my nail tech so much that I really think I can do them. The problem is "breaking up" with my nail tech. I live in a very small town and she has become a really good acquanitance. I don't use the word "friend" because we do not do anything together. I just see her every two weeks to get a fill or a new set of nails. However, I have become sort of a confidant to her in that she discusses her and her husband's sex life (or lack thereof), her health problems, her fragile finances, etc with me when I go. However, I have found out that she discusses these same topics with everyone else that goes to her (this has caused several people to stop going to her). I don't really mind her discussing these problems with me as much as I mind the fact that she really doesn't have a good business sense. For instance, OPI introduces a new set of nail colors twice per year. She has not bought the last two sets although she uses OPI polish. That really irritated me because I wanted to wear some of the colors, but I don't feel I should have to go out and buy them since I am paying her to polish my nails. Part of the fun to me of getting my nails done are the new things that come out each season. Anyway, I figure it would take me about $100 to get started. Then after that, even with the purchase of the OPI collections each year, I would probably only spend a 1/3 of what I have paid her each year. I don't really need to save the money--I just want to. However, I feel really guilty because I know she needs the money and I can afford to pay her to do my nails. However, she is so negative and I really would just like to get away from her, but I feel she needs some moral support. Also, I have two friends that go to her and I see them all the time. They would tell her that I still had acrylic nails and that I was doing them myself and then she would get mad at me. There would also be times that I would see her--for instance, she does not go to my church, but she does go on the Ladies' Retreats that we take once per year. I can't just pretend I won't care what she thinks of me, because I do and I can't change that about myself. I am a hopeless case. Any advice?
You are so sweet to care and that you cant help yourself But you should just leave her. Like you said, she has no good business sense and you want to do your own nails so go for it. If you ever bump into to her and she acts rude or different then thats her fault. She needs to be and act mature, she shouldn't have to rely on you to feed herself or to pay her rent. dont worry, she'll have new clients, you wont leave her starving. Maybe what might make it better is if you have one last appointment with her and then tell her that thats your last day with her because you'll be doing your own nails. And if it dosen't work out for you, that you'll go back to her. Let me know how it goes....
I think in her line of work... it's at some point expected that either you will go somewhere else or stop coming. I agree with Tati, it is very sweet to care... but don't be so hard on yourself. As the client, you have the option of taking business elsewhere/or to yourself in this case.
If you want to do something, you should do it. I say if she's rude to you in the future, it just shows her poor business sense. She should remain friendly to hopefully get your business back one day. And who knows.. maybe in the future you will go back.
Thanks. I think what I am going to do is to quit in a couple of months. She is a putting a new set of nails on me next week and I want to watch her very carefully to make sure of all the steps. I have also found some very helpful advice online for doing your own acrylics. I talked to my husband about it this morning and he said that he figured at the rate she is going, she will put herself out of business with her attitude before very long. Two weeks ago, she told me that she only made $160 the entire week. I don't see how she can keep her doors open for that amount.