Bad New, Good News, Bad News and GREAT News

What a whirlwind of a few days!! Holy Moly. I decided to quit the salon for sure on Monday. I'd already talked to her numerous times about my frustrations and no changes had been made, so I was really getting nowhere. It was a huge relief taking all of my stuff out and not looking back. The bad news, I have to start my hours ALL OVER. That stinks, but I want to be good at nails and that is what it's going to take, so I can swallow it.

Then my quest for "What now?" began. ha ha ha. I started googling like crazy. Any nail tech I found that had pictures on their website that looked like they had some mad skills, I emailed or texted or called to find out if they had their instructor's license. I guess the salon I was at has quite the reputation. Numerous people I talked to and told I wasn't learning much in my current apprenticeship asked if she was my teacher without me even saying anything. Let's just say I don't think I'm the first person that has been in this situation. Crazy. Hindsight, right?? I also found out there were so many things she was doing and having me do that are illegal. Yikes. We live and learn.

One lady directed me to another lady who said I could start on Tuesday! That's the good news. So I went in Tuesday to get started. She was really nice, but hasn't had other students before and she seemed a little flakey. I gave her the benefit of the doubt and gave it a try. For two hours she sat and read me the text book. Aaahhh! I wanted to pass out from boredom. I told her I've already read the entire book twice on my own and asked her if I could go ahead and take the tests for each chapter and only review the ones I didn't pass, but she wouldn't. Her salon was REALLY slow and I didn't feel like I would get very much hands on experience. Plus, she was only going to have me come 8 hours a week I found out! That would take me until October. Bad news again, later that night we decided it didn't feel right and I called her to let her know I changed my mind.

But don't you worry. There is more to the story. Remember the nail school I wanted to go to a while back, but couldn't afford it? Well, it closed because their lease was up and to renew was going to be some crazy amount they couldn't afford. I still had the owners number and I thought I'd give her a call and see what she suggested. Here comes the GREAT news! She is still doing school, just moved it to her home salon until they get another building. Because it's at her home the tuition is lower AND I'll get 50% commission on all of the services I do! Plus, super bonus, she will let me count hours I do in my own home studying and doing nails! I was so excited to find all of this out. I will be able to get hours so much quicker!! Starting over isn't quite as daunting. So I told her I would call her back around March when we get our tax return and I would start then. Even more good news, she told me it's best to start 2 students at the same time so we can do things together and there's a girl starting January 10th. She is willing to let me start then and pay later when we get our taxes back. She was so sweet about it. I cannot tell you how excited I am. She has had 51 students and only 3 have had to take the test twice. (That is really good! Most people I've talked to had to take it at least twice. It's really hard.) She knows her stuff and hopefully I will too by the time she is done with me.

And that's that. I'm not sure why things needed to happen the way they did. It is what it is, and I am just happy it is all working out for the better. Come this summer I will be licensed and awesome. YAY!!!! So give me a few weeks and I will need people to start coming in so I can practice practice practice!!! :-)

This Officially Sucks. . . .

Yup, it's been FOREVER since I posted and it's because I've been CrAzY busy. I started my apprenticeship as planned on the 15th of September and now, I'm almost completely done with my hours. That sounds great. . . . right? . . . . It should be great, but it isn't so great. It has been NUTS. I have not learned everything that I need to learn. I have my 300 hours, but mopping, emptying trash cans, and working long days with not even a lunch break . . . . nope . . . . those things aren't on the test. :-( Don't get me wrong, I love doing nails and that part has been really fun! But pretty much I've taught myself to do everything. They want me there all day every day and no one there pulls their weight when it comes to the "housekeeping" part of the job so I get stuck with it all. This Christmas break has kinda been the last straw. Because my husband is out of school, she thinks I need to be there all day every day. I was there for the entire day Christmas Eve and only had TWO customers, but she wouldn't let me go home. We get paid on commission, so I don't make any money if no one comes in, but it doesn't bother her because she doesn't have to pay me! I sound like such a whiner, but it really has been hard being away from my family every single day these past few months. ;-( Some Saturdays when I'm there from 10-8 I don't even get a break for lunch.

So right now we are in decision making mode. I know I could keep going and keep teaching myself and EVENTUALLY learn everything I need to know to pass the test and get my license. BUT do I really want to do that, and then be obligated to work there for three years where I'm not happy?? If I go somewhere else, I will probably have to start my hours over again and most likely will have to pay someone to teach me. On the plus side though, I will be able to work for myself as soon as I'm finished. (There is a cute girl in town I'm in the process of talking to about it . . . . Cross your fingers we can work something out.) And I will know my stuff, which is also a very big plus. I'm leaning toward the 2nd option, but I'm still not sure what is the best choice for me and my family. If I decide to switch gears, I want to do it tomorrow so I can spend this week with MY FAMILY instead of scrubbing feet. :-) We are pretty religious people, and when I first started we prayed really hard and felt good about the decision. So that makes me wonder if I am even qualified in this whole decision making thing. Probably not.

That's where you come in. What should I do??? Any tips, advice, prayers, or positive thoughts over the next 24 hours or so would be greatly appreciated. You can vote in my poll at if you want!! It's at the top of the page on the left. Thanks for listening. And thanks for your help.

P.S. If you want to see some of the nails of done the past few months, check out my Facebook Page!! HERE

Oh and P.S. Again. . . . The nail school I wanted to go to went out of business, so that isn't an option anymore either.

This is THE post!

FINALLY I get to post this. . . I am starting Nail School! September 15th. I couldn't be happier with how it all played out. If you're religious like I am, it's apparent that Heavenly Father's hand was in it for sure. He is mindful of us and watches out for our best interest!

Here's the story: My awesome neighbor, who is constantly watching out for us, was talking to one of our other neighbors, who had just gotten a pedicure at a salon by our house. (Did you follow that?) She mentioned to my friend that the pedi she got was from a student. My friend called me up later that day and told me about it. I called them up and sure enough, they have an apprenticeship program!! I have to purchase the textbook and supplies for me to use, which is SIGNIFICANTLY less than the other schools I've been looking at. The girl is SO NICE! Other than that, I don't have to pay her anything. I have to work at the salon for a while after I'm done, but the hours are flexible and I think it will be a great way to build up some clientele. Then, I can decide if I like working in a salon or not. It might actually be good for my mental health to get out for a few hours here and there. ha ha ha. AND I will still take appointments at my home if you're more comfortable there or if it fits your schedule better. (My gift cards will only be good for appointments in my home or at my glitter toe parties!)

I will keep you posted and as soon as I start doing actual nails, come visit me!! I've been frantically online shopping to find the best deals on brushes, textbooks, fake hands, files, UV lights, etc. etc. etc. It's fun, and a little nerve racking. What if I totally suck?? I don't anticipate that being the case, but it could happen! :-) Mostly I'm just excited to get started, have some girl time, earn some money, and chat with all you awesome folks. I think as soon as I learn Rock Star Toes I should have a HUGE party!!!! You can all sparkle and glitter with me. Who's in?

That Ticker Ticks me off! ha ha ha.

I put a ticker at the top of this site today. Did you see it? I was hoping it would motivate me and help me see my progress, but really it just makes me more frustrated. It seems kind of impossible. :( There are only so many things lying around the house I can sell on Ebay, ya know? If only tax returns came in July instead of February. . . .

Hope! {St. George, Utah Glitter Toes}

Today I went to the nail school I want to go to and got my toes glittered. :) I had a free coupon that expires and decided to go use it since the hubster had the day off.
SO my toes are happy and I'm happy. I talked to the cute girl that did them about the school and stuff. She loves it. She told me a little bit about their payment plan, which is great. AND she told me I get to take my kit home while I'm in school, and if I do nails at home and take a picture of them, I can count the hours!! FABULOUS! I will be able to finish a lot faster. I've known about the payment plan, but I don't want to do it and then not be able to make the payments. (The whole reason behind this whole ordeal is to MAKE more money, not SPEND more money. ha ha ha.) But, if I can save up a big enough deposit, and do nails at home to make a little money, (at a huge discount of course, since I'll be learning. . . .) it just might work!! YAHOO!

So who wants to be one of my guinea pigs?? I can do gel nails, acrylic nails, manicures and pedicures, shellac, the whole shebang! And it will be super cheap until I get my license. (I don't think I'll suck too bad, so it will still be worth it. ha ha ha.) I can't wait to get started. . . .

Update! {St. George, Utah Gel Nails}

Okay, so I don't even think anyone is reading this blog, BUT I want to keep track for myself so I can look back and laugh at what a dork I was/am. ha ha ha. Here is the latest in the Quest for a Nail Technician License:

I met with a cute girl here in St. George that does awesome nails. She is looking into getting her instructor's license. She is darling and would be great to work with. We have kids almost the exact same ages, she does a great job, and I think we'd get along very well. The only challenges are #1 she doesn't have her license yet, #2 She doesn't work many nights, which is when I'm available, and #3 I'm not sure what she'd charge me. So, I'm not ruling that option out yet, but it's still up in the air.

The Nail School I've been looking at has an opening starting the beginning of August, I just have to scrounge up the Moolah, which isn't exactly a walk in the park. Summers are already complicated for us financially because my preschool/daycare/some piano income stops for a few months. (And we go on camping trips to Yellowstone that cost money, but are oh so worth it. . .) My hubby sold his car, which was originally supposed to go to the nail school fund, but instead went to the paying bills and living fund. There went that idea. Ha ha ha. BUT we have a booth selling pretzels this weekend and that $ WILL go to the Nail School pot. (Right Hunny??) Plus, I've been selling a bunch of stuff on EBAY, (go check it out) and THAT $ goes to Nail school. And last, but for sure not least I sold ONE Pre-paid Gift card to Polished Nail Spa, and that money also goes to the pot. (YOU can still help me out and buy one too!!)

Anyone have a rich, small business investing, super nice relative?? ha ha ha. If all else fails, which it might, when the beginning of next year rolls around, I can make up the difference with our tax return. Whew. I hope I don't have to wait that long. Have I mentioned I'm rally BAD at waiting? Yup. I am.

And that's where it all stands. I'm still really excited about it though. At least I have lots of time to dream up what services and fun things I'm going to offer, how I'm going to run things, and all of that jazz. It will be awesome when it hits the ground RUNNING! :-) Thanks for reading this far. I'm really surprised someone actually made it. And most of all THANKS for supporting me and my crazy ideas!!

Manicure of the Month! {St. George, Utah Nail Salon}

Ready for my next idea?? I'm really excited about this one. I was thinking, not everyone likes having gel or acrylic nails. I want to offer something for EVERYONE to have a little "you time" and feel pampered. I'm also going to do pedicure and manicures on natural nails. Enter: The Manicure of the Month!

Here's how it works: Each month, I will design a manicure, (color and some kind of super cool nail art.) and offer it all month at a discounted price. Here's the fun part, everyone who gets the manicure of the month will be entered into a drawing and the winner gets a FREE manicure to be the hand model for the next month. Doesn't that sound fun?? I think it will be awesome. I haven't decided if it will be a regular manicure, or do Shellac polish. What do you guys think?? Also, if you do get gel nails, (which are AMAZING) don't fret. You can get the fun nail art too at no extra charge.

There are so many cool nail art ideas out there, this will give me a chance to try new things and get creative. It will give you a chance to be pampered at a little discount. And best of all, we'll get to hang out for a little while every month! Win-win. :-)

Another one bites the dust. . . .

Okay, so scratch that last post. Student loan isn't an option either. I GIVE UP! Not really. I don't really give up on things easily. But I do feel deflated and disappointed. (HELLO people! Just because I have a bachelor's degree already doesn't mean it's making me any money!) So my last ditch effort is meeting with a cute nail tech I found online to see if I can do my apprenticeship with her. If the hours and price is right. . . . I don't want to jinx it, so that's all I will say. If that one falls through also, I guess it's back to selling things on ebay, donating plasma, selling extra children . . . . That type of thing. Cross your fingers and say a prayer for me. I'm anxiously awaiting 1:30 and the hour that follows!!

Decisions, decisions . . . . . .

If you know me, you know that I'm not really a "waiter." I get an idea in my head and just want to go for it. You also would then know that I'm a "planner." If I don't know what is going to happen, when it's going to happen, and how it's going to happen, I go a little bit nuts!! That's where I am right now. Going a little bit nuts. I REALLY want to go to nail school, and I REALLY need to make more money, and nail school is REALLY expensive. My cute husband has said I can use our tax return to go, but that will be like 7 months away just to get started!! I want to be painting, and polishing, and gelling, and earning some moolah way before then!! ha ha ha. The nail school in town is starting a class July 5th and I SO want to be in it. (I've searched for someone to do an apprenticeship with, and it's just not panning out.) So, here is my question to all of you faithful readers in cyberland. (I know there are a lot cause I've had this blog for like a week!) Do we try to get a student loan and go for it, or do I be patient, keep trying to find an apprenticeship, and wait some more?? I just don't know. Or do I just forget the whole thing and stick to my current preschool, piano-teacher, vinyl, photography, daycare providing, being poor plan? Have I mentioned I'm not good at making decisions, or waiting, or not having a plan? Ya, I'm not. The point of this post? Not really sure. To let off some steam I guess.

On a positive note, last night I discovered the Nails Magazine website. I could spend hours on it!! (I shouldn’t, but I could.) There are a million great ideas, fun stories, galleries, etc. etc. Maybe that’s where I will head now for a bit before I go to bed. . . . . G'night!

Polished Nail Spa GIVEAWAY!!

So, I know you are all DYING to know how you can win one of THESE from Polished Nail Spa. That is why I'm about to tell you! I'm actually doing TWO separate contests. TWO ways to be a WINNER. One you earn points to win and the other is a drawing. Please read all of the requirements carefully. You will not be entered to win if you don't complete each one correctly.
Each point earns you one entry in the drawing. Two winners of the random drawing get ONE FREE nail treatment from Polished Nail Spa in St. George, Utah. The one person who earns the most points gets SIX FREE nail treatments from Polished Nail Spa! So start earning those points ladies. Your tips and toes will thank you later.

Here is how you can earn points and earn entries into the drawing:

-Purchase a Pre-paid service card HERE. (If you are the points winner, you will have the choice between a refund, or another SIX treatements.)
20 Points

-Refer a friend who purchases a Pre-paid Service Card. (They'll enter your name at checkout.)
10 Points each

-"Like" Polished Nail Spa on Facebook. Comment here telling me you did.
5 Points

-Tell your friends to "like" Polished on Facebook and post on our wall that YOU sent them.
2 points each

-Post about Polished Nail Spa AND this contest on Facebook (One entry PER DAY!) Comment here telling me you did it.
1 Point per day

-Email your St. George friends about this contest and Polished Nail Spa. Copy the email to jennylynnballantyne@gmail.com so I can give you your points. Please only St. George friends. This part is on the honor system, so be honest!
3 points per friend

-Blog about this contest and Polished Nail Spa. Comment here with a link to your post.
3 points

-Comment on this post, letting me know how I can make Polished Nail Spa a perfect place to be pampered. Up to five suggestions are allowed.
1 point each

I will keep a running total on the sidebar of this blog. Check back often and make sure you are in the lead!! All entries must be in by JULY 8TH 2011 at Midnight, MST. The drawing will be held JULY 9TH 2011. We will announce the winners here, and on Facebook. Again, please make sure you follow the directions, and GOOD LUCK. I can't wait to see who wins.

Remember, cards cannot be redeemed until I get my license. The more of YOUR friends we get the word to, so they can purchase one too, THE FASTER I WILL BE IN BUSINESS!! WAHOO! I can't contain my excitement. Thanks for your help. I can't wait.

Help. . .MayDay. . . .S.O.S. {St. George, Utah Nail Salon}

I am so excited to tell you about something you can do to help me kick off my Nail Business. I can't wait to get to nail school and learn how to make YOU beautiful. Just ask my super-great-hubby. . . It's all I talk about. :) So in order to speed this process along, I need your help.

Enter: Pre-paid service cards! This is a great deal you guys and I hope you take advantage.

For $100, you get a punch card good for SIX nail treatments of your choice. You have the following options in ANY combination: Manicure, Pedicure, Glitter Toes, A full set of Gel Nails, (Two punches for that one.) and/or A Gel Fill. The only catch is, you can't redeem it until I get my license. The more people that purchase the cards, the SOONER I can get going and the SOONER you can start taking some time out for you and pamper those nails. Those who purchase cards will also be FIRST on the list of people I call when I need someone to practice on while I'm getting my hours done. You will not want to miss out.

If you have a little girl's birthday party, baby shower, bridal shower, or just want to do a few Girl's Nights, this would be a GREAT way to get a deal. (Just make sure the party isn't for a few months so I am all licensed up!) Guys this would be an AWESOME gift for your wife, she will love you forever. Think about all of the women in your life that are going to need Christmas gifts and get your shopping done SUPER early!! There are so many ways you could use one of these.

As if all of that isn't enough and we aren't already jumping for joy, THERE'S MORE! I am going to be GIVING AWAY one of these to one of YOU!! Stay tuned for the givaway details. . . I can hardly wait!!

Details on how to enter the giveaway are on their way soon!!!

Still Planning

I'm still in the very early planning stages of this venture. The hubby and I are calculating and brainstorming ways to get me to nail school. (He is the best by the way! He's even willing to sell his car to add to the fund. Thanks for supporting me my love. Get this, he was even going to let me paint his toe-nails the other night!! I never did, but the fact that he was completely willing is pretty impressive, don't you think?) I've talked to quite a few people and they are on the lookout for techs I could do an apprenticeship with.

I wanted to post today about what I want my salon space to be like, and get your input and opinions! My great hubster is letting me have our spare bedroom as my "nail room" I want it to be a really fun, modern, chill place ladies can come hang out and relax. I'll have my work table and chairs of course, but then I'm thinking I'll have a little couch, a fridge stalked with soda pop, cool magazines to look at, and chocolate. Is there anything else the ladies in the audience can think of that would make it a really cool space that you would want to spend a few hours a month in on yourself?? Seriously, give me your opinions!!

Also, give me some opinions on my logo and this blog so far. I just stared it last night, so it is still a diamond in the rough. What types of things would you like to read about? What would you like to see? What about the logo?

The focus of my salon is going to be gel nails. They are AMAZING!! I used to have acrylics and I've converted. They are lighter, thinner, more natural feeling, sturdier, and they don't lift near as much. Plus, you can mix all kinds of neat stuff into the gel. AND since you cure them under a lamp, you don't have to wait for them to dry. All around they just rock. I'm also going to do glitter toes, regular manicures and pedicures, nail parties, and host Girl's Night Out! Is there ANYTHING else YOU want?? What services would make my salon better? Ideas please!!

Thanks for joining me on this adventure. I'm excited to keep you update on how it's all panning out. Have a fabulous day!

And so it begins

So I'm starting this blog to share my latest adventure. I am totally stoked and excited. I REALLY want to go to nail school and become a nail technician. I have always loved having and doing pretty nails. I need to find something I can do do add to our little family's income and I think this could be just the thing! There are a few obstacles to overcome, but that is how life goes right? At the moment I'm trying to figure out how to fund the schooling and where to obtain the schooling. I think finding someone with their nail tech instructor's license and doing an apprenticeship is going to be my best bet. I will write more tomorrow about my plans and ideas. Good night until then!