NAILS

DECEMBER 2016 | NAILS MAGAZINE | 97THE STAFF:Prichard trains staff to follow the highest sanitation standardspossible. “It can be challenging to retrain techs who aren’t used tosuch high standards,” she says. While she had some difficultyfinding staff at first, she’s assembled a reliable group. “We have agood team now,” she says.The salon employs five nail techs. They go to classes andtradeshows to develop their skills, and Prichard pays for furthereducation if nail techs are interested in becoming ANTs. “I likefor them to be the best they can be,” she explains.She thinks the atmosphere of her salon makes it a good placeto work. “They’re not rushed or pushed,” she says of her nailtechs. “They’re able to do their job and do it correctly. I’m notmaking them watch the clock.”THE DECOR:“Shabby chic is what we like to call it,” says Prichard. Thesalon’s nail desks are repainted antique vanities fitted withfilters and a custom-made glass top for easy cleaning. Each nailtech can put her own decoration beneath the glass, allowing atouch of personal creativity, and the staff changes decorationsfor each season.Prichard wants clients to feel relaxed and at home whenvisiting the salon. She set up comfortable chairs and basins forpedicures in order to make services easier on the clients. “Wewant them to feel very comfortable and cared for,” says Prichard.“We want them to have an experience, rather than just gettingtheir nails done.”THE EXTRAS:Prichard hopes to spread her emphasis on salon safety. “Myfuture plan is to not be the only one in our area,” she says. “Wewant to inspire others to take the leap of faith and become asafe salon.”Prichard also focuses on keeping the salon involved with thelocal community through her support of charitable events andgroups. “Donations are at the center of most of our marketing,”she explains. “We try to keep local.”3``````4