If you love everything beauty, and you love working with people, becoming a nail technician is an enjoyable and rewarding career choice. It’s the type of profession that allows you to be creative while having complete control over your day to day activities.
With some skill, the right attitude, and some experience, you can create your own pathway as a qualified nail technician. Interested? Keep reading for all the information you need to start your journey in this career!
What is a nail technician?
As a nail technician, you are an important part of today’s beauty industry. Beyond the simple treatment and grooming of finger and toenails you will be expected to perform a range of different manicures and pedicures, along with creating all the latest trends and styles. From shaping, to extensions, and nail art, there is no limit to the creativity used in nail design these days.
However, a nail technician also needs a good level of people skills – you’re going to need to love chatting with people! It’s a job that requires a personal touch, blended with skilful customer service, delivered to a wide range of customers. So, as well as a flair for the creative and artistic, you will need to be something of a social butterfly too.
Why would you want to be a nail technician?
Besides working in an industry that you love, there are many reasons you might like to become a nail technician. First, it’s super-satisfying to work in a way that allows you to be creative. Then, there’s the opportunity to constantly meet new people – it’s likely that if you’re skilled and personable, some of your clients will come back time and again and will become something of a friend.
Furthermore, being a nail technician gives you the opportunity to control your life and career in the way you would hope. You can maintain a flexible schedule, booking appointments only when you wish to work. You can also extend your career, perhaps by opening your own salon and employing several nail technicians under you.
Last but not least, there’s also a lot of satisfaction to be had from making people feel good about themselves.
What are the day-to-day activities of a nail technician?
Your day-to-day experiences of being a nail technician are always based around the health and appearance of nails. You will be styling, shaping and creating design choices for each client. On a basic level, you will be grooming and generally maintaining the nails and creating new looks via things like extensions.
Beyond this, you will provide hand and feet massages, as well as other nail treatments. You may provide professional advice to clients needing to overcome problems with their nails, too.
Maintaining cleanliness is an important element of creating a successful career as a nail technician, this includes sterilisation and general cleaning of the tools and implements used.
How much can you earn as a nail technician?
Your salary as a nail technician varies greatly. If you are self-employed, how much you make will depend on your pricing structure balanced against the products you use and the time you spend. You also have to factor in the cost to hire a treatment room, or if a mobile technician, the cost to travel to a clients’ home.
If you work in a spa or other beauty facility, your salary will likely depend on your experience. It could rise to as much as $70k a year for if you’re training and supervising others.
How do I become a nail technician?
Becoming a nail technician will generally require you to attend beauty school or take a course online. Some people take an apprenticeship and learn on the job, shadowing an experienced technician.
Before you decide to start on your journey, always consider the cost of any training and then the cost of setting up your business. If you are starting your own business, then it’s essential you make sure you have factored in adequate cash flow to see you through the early days which can be slow. For example, you will need enough money to buy equipment, hire space, advertise, take out insurance and so on.
While there are no specific qualifications required by law to become a nail technician, it’s always advisable to demonstrate your qualifications to give clients peace of mind. You can get experience practising with your friends and family, but confidence will be earned with a certificate.
As you get into the swing of your career as a nail technician, some further skills will help you succeed. You might want to develop your social media, keeping followers up to date on the latest trends and examples of your work.
If you are running your own business or working for a treatment room, you may be required to upsell complementary products and services. If this is the case, then some additional sales skills will benefit your career immensely.
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