I've been here a few times before, but I stopped coming because there always seems to be short-staffing that results in extremely long wait times. Since my attempt to be seen at Red Nails left a rotten taste in my mouth, and this business is about three blocks from my home, I thought I'd try this location again to see if there has been improvement.
First, some positives. I love that this nail salon is local. I wish the people who worked here also lived here. They are nice people.
I love the yellow and neutral / natural tones they are striving for. It's a good look for a nail salon.
The store front outside is neat and clean, if a little bare. Something like a bench with flowers would be nice.
I LOVE the location of the polish wall, and I love the plants! Keep your plants!
Hacing said this, the salon still has not met it's potential. Contrary to what I expected, the state of the store appears to be declining.
On a Friday morning there are exactly two nail technicians on staff. Two customers have already walked out due to the long wait times. The goal is for a walk-in customer to wait no longer than 20 minutes.
The entrance area is untidy and cluttered, which makes it unprofessional in appearance. The reception desk is unmanned. This creates bottleneck effect in processing customers who are both arriving and leaving, thus negatively affecting work flow and increasing wait times.
The pricing menu is a standard piece of paper located on the nail polish wall. There is another pricing menu tapped to the reception desk, which is matching.
There is an overflowing trash can of trash out front. A broken down water dispenser and gumball machines up front.
There is an excess of magazines and papers EVERYWHERE, adding to the sensation of clutter. The nail polish wall is unorganized. The nail polish desk is stained, but clean. An oddly placed coat rack clutters the area.
There are horrible and unnecessary lights overhanging the pedicure stations.
Finally, I arrived at 11:20 a.m. It is now 11:48 a.m., and I still have not been seen. I need to be home by 1:30 p.m. to get ready for work!
So my suggestions:
(1) Hire a receptionist. Pay someone $10 per hour to work here full time, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. with a one-hour unpaid lunch break. Task that receptionist with keeping things clean, organized, and on-schedule.
(2) MARIE KONDO THIS PLACE. Lots of people head to a nail salon not only to have their nails done, but to relax. All this clutter is the OPPOSITE of relaxing.
(3) Increase your staffing.
(4) Nix the television, and play some nice, relaxing music!
(5) Some organization and small repairs will go a long way!
(6) Nix the weird colored lights on the track. Instead, try removing and painting the ceiling panels. Look to Red Nails in Marion, IN for inspiration.
Y'all have a decent service, but some drastic improvements need to happen! read more