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!