The ‘I should be in bed’ blog…

So, here’s the scene: it’s Saturday night (almost Sunday morning). I’ve just watched an entire night of celebrity boxing, and yelled my constructive feedback quite loudly at the TV (sorry neighbors), with a champagne flute at the ready. With each sip, I’m increasingly convinced that I am, in fact, a boxing coach. In one of those classic ‘hey-wait-a-minute’ moments, I’ve just realized who I am. I’m ‘that guy’. The opinionated expert who knows everything. Yep. That guy.

It’s late now, so without proof-reading, I’m taking a chance and typing whatever comes out of my brain. It’s unfiltered (and poorly spellchecked) because I want it to be real (not really – it’s because I’ve had a few). I’ll then take another chance by uploading it on the international world wide web so everybody and anybody can judge me, which is kind of where I’m going with this blog. Bear with me… I’m really am going somewhere with this…

I recently joined a few new nail groups on the internet. I enjoy the cheeky banter and respect the techs brave enough to share photos of their work but if I’m being honest, I probably stick around less for the ‘educational’ value, and more for the ‘lols’.
Turns out, whether you’re a beginner, or an advanced nail tech, there will always be someone who can tell you that you’re doing it wrong. Then there’s someone who will tell that person how wrong they are, and before you know it, there’s 56 comments of who-hurt-who’s feelings, without a great deal of accurate information. More frightening, are the groups where every member has helpful advice to offer. The answer to lifting is ‘rough up the nailbed more, hun’ (adding ‘hun’ to your comment erases the burn of your previous comment “OMG if that was my client I’d give a refund and stop doing nails”, and lets the person know how sincere you really are, because nothing says “I’m still your friend” like the word “hun”, casually thrown into your “you-really-suck-at-this” sentence.
Every few days a tech leaves the group with a ‘goodbye cruel world’ post, and so continues the argument over whether this is a bitchy industry.

I say no. The industry isn’t bitchy. I can’t vouch for all mankind though. In actual fact, there are dooshe-bags in every workforce, and just because we’re customer service oriented, doesn’t mean we’re impervious to dooshebaggery.
If you’ve had a publisher invest in your opinions and produce 2000 copies of what you have to say, in hard copy, then sure, you can start giving harsh feedback. Nine times out of ten though, the ones doing the harsh stuff aren’t the pros who’s advice you crave. They’re just the noisy kids at the back of the bus. The one’s that throw fire-works out at 3pm in the afternoon ‘just to see what happens’. They use acronyms like ‘IMO’ (stands for ‘in my opinion’) and basically come in looking for a fight.

I promise, I’m getting to my point. Hang in there, reader.

I’ve only been around the nail-zone for 1 decade. 1 decade still makes me a dinosaur, but more of a vegan dinosaur. At 2 decades you become a vegetarian dinosaur and after 3, you’re a meat eater. It’s my plan to make it to vegetarian dinosaur, but I never want to be an angry T-Rex, devouring my colleagues until I’m the last one left. It’s lonely at the top. Again, my point is coming…

If you ask for advice on a public page or thread, you’ve asked for it. Take what comes, and graciously ignore anyone who offends you (especially if they call you ‘hun’).
If you give advice on a thread and someone argues with you, know when to bow out. Even if you’re right, it’s still best to walk away. Getting the last say isn’t worth it. Two-Three comments max, then bail. No matter how the conversation is going, walk away. If someone tags you and specifically requests you re-enter the debate, get to your point quickly and politely, then bail again.
If you read a thread with bad advice in it, walk away. This isn’t your problem.

And finally – my point (as promised): If you’re struggling with nails, don’t go to a web page filled with amateurs and dinosaurs. Book in for some training with an educator. This is a hands-on industry. Your training should be hands-on too. I have invested tens of thousands in training throughout my career, and it’s helped me reached my happy place. No matter what free sites are out there, don’t skimp on proper training.

TeamBFX is full of friendly dinosaurs – mostly vegetarians. We have courses to suit all skill levels, and budgets. If you need advice or support, please feel free to leave a comment here, or email us via the ‘contact’ tab on our website.

Kat xx