HIgher Ground

So many times as a blogger, coach, guru, myself I don't always take my own advice. Ironic right? However, I did turn over a new leaf and decided to truly practice what I preach. I attended a Ladies who Launch workshop with fellow Blogger Beth Schreibman Gehring .

 Just so happens, we went to high school together and had not really kept in touch. Beth has a few fabulous blogs and great readership so I took the plunge and decided to work with her as a blogging coach. Beth is also a life coach and so much more. We discussed many areas that need balance in my life and I think this blog coaching will turn into so much more! Beth has such a rich background with which she coaches and so many areas of interest that overlap mine. So instead of do as I say, not as I do...I am doing. First things first, I must post this code for Technorati
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to get my blog listed with hundreds of thousands of others for exposure. So stay tuned for one more adventure as I pursue this Beauty~Full life!

Ombre Fade

So loving this look. An ombre fade, starting with 2 coats Samuri (Gelish), sponging Prisma( Orly) at the cuticle area,  Plum and Done mid nail and lastly Black Cherry Berry on the tip. With a simple hand painted nail art from Nubar nail art pens.

Be My Guest?

The Early Days

               I did not post a marketing blog this week because I was actually the featured guest on Nail talk Radio Monday night. Trish Rock so graciously stepped up and offered her expert marketing advice in my place and did an awesome job sharing her wisdom. But being, well trying to be, the dedicated blogger I decided to write about the experience of being a guest. I actually was a guest back in the very infancy of Nail Talk Radio, way before it had the structure and segments and even the Naja. This time, the stakes were quite a bit higher, with so much growth and so many more listeners. I have to admit I was nervous. Naja told me to just think of it as a conversation between the three of us and after the first few questions you will get into the flow and the nerves will subside. She was right. Being a part of Nail Talk Radio has been a true blessing. I was a big supporter of the show early on and definitely had the vision to see the strength of this medium for beauty professionals. A show about nails? for 90 minutes? Once a week? What could possibly fill the airwaves for 90 minutes each week, many wondered. Turns out...plenty. The ride has been, and continues to be amazing.

IBS New York 2011

              I have traveled the world and met so many fantastic people. But most importantly I have been able to share business and life advice with my fellow professionals. It is a gift I take quite seriously. I faced many doubters, what are you doing that for, many would ask. What's in it for you, others would question. I admit at the time I really didn't know the answer to those and the many more questions and doubts I faced throughout the year. But last Monday really solidified it for me. I do it because I can, because I have something to offer and because I shouldn't keep the information to myself. There was such an outpouring of genuine appreciation worth so much more than I could ever put a dollar amount on. When Naja shared with me that whenever she asks listeners what they like about the show they all express that my marketing segment is one of their favorite parts of the show I was blown away. Often times I begin thinking about the segment Sunday, although it is never too far outside my realm of thinking all week. Monday I gather all my emails, tweets, FB postings, magazine articles, segments of books I am reading and boil them down to one marketing concept for the week. Sometimes I take a webinar that I have to pay for out of my own pocket to get ideas, other times it comes from a simple exchange with a friend online. Wherever the inspiration comes from I try to bring it from the trenches of our world, where I reside most of the time too. I am a working beauty professional facing many of the same challenges we face together. When I get feedback that someone used one of my tips with success...as Michael Cole says" BOOM goes the dynamite". Some things work, some don't but the one thing I know is always happening is I am moving forward. Always researching the latest trends, the latest industry best practices and constantly updating my own way of doing things. The great quote "If you keep doing what you've always done, you'll keep getting what you've always gotten." is so true. So I sincerely thank Athena and Naja this opportunity, for always supporting my efforts, the listeners for always taking time out of their busy schedules to listen and my close support circle, you know who you are, for believing in me when I don't believe in myself, encouraging me when I want to quit and loving me enough to put up with my ever changing journey.

Jan Arnold ABS Chicago 2012

You can listen to the show here http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogtalkradio.com%2Fnailtalkradio%2F2012%2F04%2F24%2Ftaking-the-mystery-out-of-millie&h=ZAQHwu2rmAQE5vWneRm9co4ehF2csPOFubyB-4_r7Ofu4Hg&enc=AZNt8sZEsKs7aW8gIBqDoueBcXlP1fSyqeDzC8GtSw5hp8dD1nAaZaj4ZW72eBX8jMv9GDOxv-q6rn7u2ADWGT1m4qmJy7ID_ekTWKBC2J1t0A

It's Not Really All About You...

  This week I had the opportunity to work with an amazing team of ladies at The Artistic Edge Salon and Spa where I am an independent contractor. We pulled off an incredible feat of prepping 30 models with hair, make-up and nails for the Solon Civic Club's Spring Fashion show yesterday. There are no less than 40 salons in the area they could have chosen, but we were honored with the opportunity to showcase our talents.  Let me back up and share how this all came about. When my kids were in elementary school, I volunteered for PTA, field trips, fall festivals, you name it, I signed up. I met a group of women over the years that knew my worth, that they could count on me to come through and as my children grew, so did the opportunities. I donated my time and talent for fashion shows, plays and musicals, fundraisers and again met incredible women doing the same. Contributing their own time, talent and money  to a cause or a project with a common goal. At the time, the immediate gratification of a job well done, or a successful event seemed enough reward. But what I did not understand was the long term relationships that would last much further into the future. These women still contact me to help in their many activities and causes and what many see as a chore, I choose to see as an opportunity. I never take for granted that they choose me, when there are so many others they can choose. As an entrepreneur the road can be so singular, so desolate. Joining other women, other business and causes expands your network in areas you can sometimes only see the tip of the iceberg, but believe me it will have a larger impact that you can ever imagine.  The iceberg is there, under the surface. Developing these relationships over time continues to be one of the best marketing strategies, and I am still reaping the benefits.

                So fast forward to this past week. Two of the ladies I knew from my past volunteer days asked me once again to help with their fashion show. They continue to bless me with the opportunity to get exposure for the 250+ women in attendance. Many of the models were in the salon earlier in the week getting complimentary services with stylists donating their time, which is money, to make the event as special as we knew we could. Sunday we gave up the majority of our day, starting at 9am adding the finishing touches with everything from extensions, make-up and pre-made full coverage nails. I posted a few pictures on my Facebook page of the amazing work this team rocked out.

         Becoming a part of something larger had a dual meaning for me this weekend. I felt so grateful to be a part of the extended community as a fashion/beauty expert and also an amazing part of such a talented group of ladies from the salon.  This exposure results in many new clients for us as so many did not know about our salon. We are all individuals on this work journey but connecting with others is truly the only way to grow ourselves and our businesses. I found an interesting blog on this topic by Jim Haudin imploring his readers to think we not me, to search outside themselves to find their lifes work.  He writes, In the words of Bill Taylor, the cofounder of Fast Company, the more executives, entrepreneurs, and talented individuals that I get to know, the more I become convinced that true happiness and genuine success does not come from finding yourself, but in losing yourself. “Losing yourself in a company you can believe in, a cause that you are prepared to fight for, and a commitment to a problem that has defied a solution”.

Shake up Your Menu to Stir up Interest

So spring and summer season  are upon us, what have you chosen to bring in new and exciting to your business? I know we talk at length about brand and niche marketing but today I want to get specific. When I owned my salon we introduced new seasonal treatments every other month. After all,  we get bored, staff gets bored and the clients certainly get bored with the same old same old. I fashioned this after local restaurants that have the nightly specials. Why can't I offer something like this in my salon? Combine fresh new treatments and ingredients for the best in seasonal services?  Sometimes it was a new company or line I saw at a show or read about online or in the trades. What better way to test out the products without committing to the entire line?  Other times I resorted to my natural hand and foot care books to get inspired to create a new service with local ingredients. My salon focused on natural treatments so naturally, I designed my treatments accordingly. So here is the process of designing and developing your own treatments. A really simple one that I created was a Tea Tree mani/pedi. We carried Paul Mitchell products at the time and one of their educators shared the idea with me.  We developed the Lemon Drop Pedicure, manicure with products we already had in the salon. It was actually featured in Nails magazine, the link will be included online. We used Paul Mitchell Lemon Sage Energizing Body Wash with 3-4 drops of Tea Tree oil, lemon slices and sage leaves for the soak. Performed nail, cuticle and callous work. For the exfoliant  add a tablespoon of sugar to Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Hair and Scalp Treatment.  Finish cuticle and callous work. Massage with Paul Mitchell Lemon Sage Energizing Body Lotion. Wrap hands or feet in warm towels. Complete the service. You can serve a lemon beverage, lemon muffins, lemon drop candies, anything else that will add to the service experience.  The great thing about these seasonal treatments was that there were for a limited time only. My clients knew if they did not get them, they might not be offered again any time soon.  So that one was easy, using products you may already have. Something a bit more challenging would be, for example, before there were Margarita pedicure products we developed our own by adding essential oil of lime, actual margarita mix and lemon foot soak. We dipped two lemon halves in dead sea salts to exfoliate dry skin and rough heels. The massage portion we used a lemon lime massage cream followed my steamed towels for a steam treatment. Again, you can serve margarita's if you choose, or limeade, Sprite, you get the picture.  So whether you create your own or purchase a new line, clients are always on the lookout for what's new at your salon.  I scoured my natural and holistic books, researched online websites and spa magazines to keep current with the trends. When I got inspired by something it was easy enough to pattern into a treatment.  My new Facebook friend Danielle Quintanar has a business helping other nail techs learn about holistic treatments and products. Danielle found my beauty school visit video and messaged me on Facebook. When I went to her site I knew we would be networking soul sisters. She is the epitome of niche marketing, sharing her passion for her modality and helping other nail techs. Checking out her site there was no doubt she had a corner on her market for these types of services in her area.  So start researching and let your creativity flow. Bringing in new, trendy treatments is a good way to create interest from the press as well. They are always looking for what's new and by creating new services you really do have something newsworthy to share. Write a press release and include an invitation for the press to come into your salon and experience the treatment first hand, or foot. It will definitely make you the go to beauty pro.

Is it Time to Reinvent Yourself?

                                                                                            photo courtesy NAILS magazine

There comes a time in life, or maybe several times in life if you are older like me, that you find yourself stuck. Being stuck is an awful, frustrating feeling. We spoke last week briefly about an article I wrote for NAILS magazine about reinvention. I can't believe it was almost 4 years ago that I wrote it. What does this have to do with marketing? Everything. Marketing is about building your brand and spreading that message. Business is constantly changing, are you? I just read a great quote from Shirley Gordon NAHA winner. "People change and you need deep experience to satisfy every client who comes in the door." We must reinvent ourselves on a regular basis to stay relevant. Coincidentally this months issue of SUCCESS magazine is about resilience, how to bounce back after any setback, in other words getting UNstuck.  The moral of most all of the stories is to reinvent, rebrand. That most times success comes on the tail of the biggest disaster. So I thought I would share the key points on getting Unstuck and embracing your new and improved brand.

Reflection is key. This is so very important. Review what worked and why as well as what didn't work and why. Be brutally honest. It won’t do you any good to skim over the truth. Have you lost sight of what you entered this industry for? Are you too busy being who you are that you don’t have time to think about who you could be? Following your gut is crucial. Many say the gut is the second brain, alerting ones consciousness before the brain has even begun to digest information.

Get back to you and what challenges you. Have you gotten too far from your core strength or mission? Is your menu confusing? Are you spread too thin? What do you love? What have you wanted to do that you haven't yet made the time for? Is there an underlying passion that you tell yourself you will get to someday? Don't look to what others are doing, they are on their own career track. Stay on your own track and you will go farther by not getting derailed with the distraction of every move others make. Relieve yourself of things that are not working, not productive and not profitable, now.

Don't be afraid of feedback.  Robin Fisher Roffer, author of Make a Name for Yourself, recommends you assemble your own “board of directors” for building the brand that is YOU incorporated. It is impossible to see ourselves as others see us, try as we might. By assembling this team and asking them to describe your attributes as well as your faults, you will discover some hidden talents and truths that the world sees in you. Make a list of what your core values are and what you find to be intrinsically valuable. Ask family members what they remember about you as a child — what you loved, what you were always reading, what you said you wanted to be when you grew up. What did you like in school? What were your favorite subjects? What do others see in you or say is your best talent? Get back to your passion and amazing things happen.

Never stop learning. Become a life-long student. Keeping up with trends in all aspects of business is just a fact of business life. The good news is, keeping up has never been easier with the Internet, podcasts, and Nail Talk Radio.

Last but not least, Implementation is the key that unlocks the possibilities. Make sure once you have the lesson don't neglect to put it into action. It is the only thing that will move you forward. We have finished up the first quarter of 2012. Do you know where your business stands compared to last year? Are you ahead or behind last years numbers? Dust off that list of things to do in your business and get cracking on it. Even if it is one thing, just do it. Only then will you experience the growth potential in your brand.

Learn the Keys to Reinventing Yourself NAILS magazine