Budget cuts after 9/11 meant the end of Eileen Kalim's federally-funded job setting up scientific agency training sessions around the country. I had worked as an executive assistant for corporate and government agencies most of my professional life and I still have the suits in my closet to show for it, says Ms. Kalim.
As she looked for career options that used her skills and experience as she worked as a temp, she decided the time had come to explore her interest in fashion and beauty. She enrolled in the Antoine du Chez Academy, a private beauty school operated by a popular high-end Denver salon chain. She completed the required instructional hours for nail technician state licensing exam eligibility, received her license and joined the chain as an employee at the Antoine de Chez Salon in Cherry Creek North, an exclusive Denver shopping district.
After nearly a year, she switched to another Denver spa. My new spa isn't in a fancy neighborhood and that affects my tips. But I really like the people who own the salon, my clients and the people I work with, said Ms. Kalim. The best part is that I am never bored and I have control over my life.
I work as a nail technician, which means that I do manicures and pedicures on clients mostly women, sometimes men. I began by attending a beauty school where I studied the art and completed the required number of hours to qualify to take the state board examination to be licensed. I wasn't really aware of any talent. My thoughts were more about finding something I could do that would not be boring, where I would have some level of control over my work, and where I would not face age discrimination.
Immediately upon receiving my license, I went to work for a spa that was owned by the school I had attended. I worked there to get the work experience I needed, for eight months, and went to work for the spa where I am now.
Some of my clients and most of the people I work with.
My career was built entirely on blind trust in myself. I had worked as an executive assistant for corporate and government agencies most of my professional life and I still have the suits in my closet to show for it. I signed up with a lot of temp agencies while I looked for work in my field.
Diligence.
Because of the type of work that I do, cash in the form of tips is the reward and mark of success. I know I'm good at my work and am gratified when my co-workers tell me I am. Tips make the difference between making a good living or not. However, I've come to realize that the amount of money I make in tips depends on the tipping habits of clients and the culture of the salon, and is not a reflection of my work.
I want to work at a spa where I receive a greater portion of the profit from my work than I do at the moment. In time, I might want to rent space at a spa, which is what some nail techs do when they have a solid client list.
I perform manicures and pedicures.
It's preparing for the days' schedule, setting up my work area, performing my work, cleaning up after each client, rechecking the schedule, doing huge amounts of laundry, mopping the floors and keeping the area very clean.
Water, soap, files, clippers, polish, acetone, cotton, lotions.
Files.
That it is very easy, and that anyone can do it.
To check my daily schedule.
Yes. Envision is a client-scheduling program.
It solely depends on where you work, whether you are paid hourly or on commission and the amount of tips you receive.
By checking want ads.
No.
Very.
There is a shortage of nail technicians in this area, so the field is open.
The salon or spa's location is the key factor. A wealthy neighborhood will attract wealthy patrons.
I attended an accredited beauty school and took a rigorous test to get my nail technician license from the state of Colorado.
It is mandatory to do the required number of hours at school in order to qualify for examination by the state licensing board.
I would recommend a school that is part of a city-sponsored program rather than a private beauty school. In Denver, that might include Emily Griffith Opportunity School.
In the phone book. Then I visited some schools. What tipped the scale toward the one I selected was the idea that I could probably work at one of its salons when I had my license.
Open.
Depends on the economy in five years.
Tremendously. People look for salons online, make appointments, buy gift certificates. We use it to order supplies, schedule appointments and look for work opportunities.
Avoiding nail fungus, especially for people with acrylic nails.
People need to know that this is a demanding job that requires focus, dedication and physical endurance.
