Suitable for S-Corps, C-Corps, LLC's and partnerships, the software is free and includes free e-Filing of your 2009 Federal tax return (due 3/15/10.) A state version with e-Filing costs $50 (a pop-up box offer appears after you install the program and begin your Federal return.

This freebie is the full version of the software and is available to first-time users as well as people who've used it before. I got a freebie last year and was able to get this year's freebie too. The only thing you can't do if you're a previous customer is import your data from last year. So the trade-off for saving $110 is a little manual entry from your 2008 return.

I tried TurboTax Business last year (instead of paying over $900 to a CPA) and found it be really easy. If you've never done your own taxes, you might do better with a pro. But if you're at least somewhat acquainted with how your company is set up, you should be able to do this yourself. It's empowering and can save you a lot of cash.

Hopes, happiness, success, and security—so many treasures packed neatly in my bags. Station to station, I travel down rusty tracks. Past cities and factories, through narrow tunnels and vast deserts, my cargo and I arrive at the end of the line.

There’s no need for belongings here in the outback. I choose to unlock my heart and leave my possessions behind. Breaking free gives me more than I ever had before.

[Meditations by Jaya Schillinger. Click here to see more.]

I tweeted these CNN Money articles, but think they're important enough to you business owners that I'm reposting and emailing these two links.

1. Did you lose money in 2009?

You might be able to take advantage of a new tax rule that will let you carry the loss back to PREVIOUS years. Basically, this could allow you to get a tax refund for years past, to use to grow your business this year. Ask your CPA about it!

Read the Article: Lost Money? Score a Whopping Tax Refund 

2. About those credit card regulations.

I've long been calling those too-little too-late laws a toothless German shepard. We are NOT being protected from the evil empire by the credit card "reform" laws. But just in case you thought those laws actually applied to you, here's more proof that they do not, as small business credit cards are not included in the consumer protection laws.

Read the Article: Credit Card Rules' Double Standard

Taxes and credit cards are not my favorite topics, but if you can get some money back in your pocket from implementing article #1, it might help make up for the fact that credit card companies are trying to grab your cash. 

***Offer expires Friday, January 29, 2010 at Midnight***

Food, Inc. is a good overview documentary about US food production and how corporate America has been steadily controlling our food supply by dominating farmers and food processing techniques. I was lucky enough to see it in the theater, but it had such a limited run nationwide that most of you didn't get the chance.

For 2 days only, you can buy it on DVD for the same price as a movie ticket!

Food, Inc. on DVD for $9.99

If you're reading via RSS or email, click here to watch the movie trailer.

What's great about the movie is that it gives equal time to the biggest problems in our food supply such as meat production, GMO corn, lack of agricultural diversity, and labor issues. These topics are so big that getting it down to movie-length is no easy task. Some of you who are already knowledgeable on these subjects might find it too cursory, however it's perfect for teaching others. This would make a great gift for your clients and loved ones!

Click here to buy Food, Inc. on DVD for $9.99

It's been four months since I started experimenting with Twitter for business. My initial plan was to just jump into the pool of "tweeple," see if I could find some like-minded friends, and figure out how it works. Here are some things I've learned thus far.

People will be more likely to follow you, if your user name tells what you're about.
I started on Twitter with my real name @JayaSchillinger as my user name. As an initial account, it makes sense to use your name. Yet once I started getting followers myself, I noticed how much easier it was for me to recognize people when their user name reminded me. For example, you can tell at a glance what these friends of mine are about: @EducatedEsty or @YogaCoach. Also, people that only want to read tweets on certain topics will be more attracted and want to add you. So, unless you're already a celebrity by your real name, it's probably better to choose an on-topic handle. Besides, Twitter also lets you put your real name on your page underneath your @name, so there's no confusion.

Don't go into an etiquette crisis, following everyone who follows you.
I struggled with this at first. Socially, it seems right to follow your followers back. If someone bothers to find and follow you, it's only natural to return the favor. However, a lot of Twitterers aren't people at all--they're robots that send out automated posts and automated direct messages. Their tweets flooded my page and my email in-box. I learned to be more discerning. Now, I take a moment to view their profile page and see if their tweets are authentic and relevant.

Don't feel bad if someone unfollows you.
It's part of the nature of Twitter that sometimes people will unfollow you. For whatever reason, they silently go away. That doesn't much bother me, although there is one real life friend that unfollowed me. Ouch. Was it something I said? Do I over-post? I don't know any adults on Twitter or Facebook who don't get a pang of teenage-like angst once in awhile. Take a breath and let it go. It happens to everyone. You've still got friends.

It's not a numbers game (at least not for me.)
As I started getting more followers, I also followed more people and gradually started getting overwhelmed. I genuinely wanted to read all the tweet updates, but it became impossible. I was only following a couple hundred people, compared to the tens of thousands of connections others have. How do they do it? Obviously, they aren't reading. So what's the point? It feels fake to me. I don't do fake. There are lots of alleged "social marketing gurus" and "Twitter experts" on Twitter, constantly pushing their classes and affiliate programs. Maybe they're making money with numbers, but I'm taking my eyes of numbers and looking for genuine faces in the crowd.

Breaking up is hard to do, but it frees you up for better relationships.
Give yourself permission to edit your following list to those people you are genuinely interested in. Make your own rules. I spend much of my time on-line for work, yet sometimes forget how much the quality of my experience is determined by me. To keep Twitter fun, I started putting in some boundaries and began unfollowing people who:

• Post too often (more than 1-2x hour, and I max out.)
• Only do one-way push marketing.
• Never talk about anything but what they're selling.
• Post too many quote-of-the-days (write something original!)
• Have garish avatars (obnoxious graphics give me a headache.)
• MLM hype about their passive income, lifestyle, wealth (lies.)

If I sound persnickety, it's because I learned the hard way. After I've made some cuts, I'm enjoying Twitter again. It should be fun, not just another business obligation.

Have divergent interests? Create different Twitter accounts.
When I started Twitter, I didn't want one more thing I had to manage. As it is, I've got a lot of internet marketing tasks and updates to do (and do all by myself.) However, after I created my new food, wine, local activities blog SonomaBonVivant, I decided to experiment with a separate Twitter account for it. I made a point to seek out new friends on the topics of food & wine only. I only follow back people on those topics, too. Nothing else. And you know what? It's been SO much fun! Perhaps it's that people into wine & food (including business people) are better socializers than the coaches & internet marketers I was meeting on my other account. These people get the mix of business/personal tweets just right. Maybe it's because I have an on-topic user name @SonomaBonVivant. But mostly I think it's better because I niched my account and started putting the tips I've shared in this article into place.

I haven't received very many emails from readers on the topic of Twitter. Is that because you're not using it?
Does it seem like one more "marketing chore?" From my experience there, I'm not seeing very many holistic practitioners using Twitter yet. The ones that I do see are tending towards one-way push marketing (which I don't think works.) There are many people tweeting beauty tips, which looks like it does work for the ones who engage in casual conversation, not just marketing. What's your experience? Love to hear about it!

Wanna' find me on Twitter? Here are my niched accounts.
@JayaSchillinger Small business topics (and holistic modalities.)
@Inspiration_Inc A feed of new articles from this newsletter only.
@SonomaBonVivant Food, wine, cooking, and Northern CA.
@SacredElephants Elephants, elephants, elephants.

On the off-chance that you're into all those niche topics, then you're a soulmate. Please email me to say hello!

Building a Budget
by Celeste Sepessy
Lead Fitness Writer, HFPN (Health Fitness Pro Network)

Building a budget is the essential foundation for any business. A well-prepared budget will create a path for fitness professionals to follow. But starting off on the right money-managing course can be difficult for a new business owner with little business experience. “Your average fitness trainer or health and wellness professional is quite often weak in business operations,” says Jaya Schillinger, owner of business coaching company Inspiration, Inc. “In a budget, you try to map out your vision into numbers.”

Since 2004, Inspiration, Inc. has created business plans and budgets for health and wellness businesses. Schillinger suggests first addressing your own relationship with money: setting a good service fee, asking for the sale, and collecting money.  “That’s one of the first obstacles most wellness professionals hit,” she says.

Give Yourself a Price Tag
Schillinger says people tend to undercharge for services. This is in part because, when you work for yourself, people tend to feel like they are selling themselves.  “You really need to be doing some personal development work around money and building your confidence when you first start out,” she says.

Pre-budget game plan

1. Before you start your budget, it’s crucial to have basic business skills and essentials figured out. Follow these steps to ensure a solid business foundation, courtesy of fitness business coach Jaya Schillinger.
2. Enroll in an entry-level business course.   Most colleges offer basic business classes, which will help prepare any business professional.
3. Conduct an informational interview. Schillinger suggests finding successful business owner to talk to. “Find out if the business is really what it looks like from the outside,” she says. Just make sure to talk to businesses outside of your demographic, or else they may be reluctant to share information with a competitor.  
4. Buy the basics. Secure your business name, license and Web site domain.  
5. Go to trade shows. You can make use of the included technique and business development classes included in the show fee. Plus, Schillinger says, “You get an idea of who your peers are.”

Build Your Budget
Next, it’s time to create a proper budget from scratch. Inspiration, Inc. provides a business feasibility service, in which a client can create a budget and discern whether it’s realistic. Budget services like this cost around $1,000. “It’s far smarter to actually work out your business finances in a mock-up scenario and crunch those numbers before you’re actually using real cash,” Schillinger says.

Oftentimes, business owners who have strayed from their budget can get back on track with some quick changes. Jaya Schillinger, owner of fitness coaching business Inspiration, Inc., provides some easy ways to scale back your expenses. Schillinger says owners can look for ways to cut overhead through scaling advertising, reducing staff, changing hours and having the owner work more. “If customers are on a plan for 10 sessions and you let that expire without rebooking it, or if there’s down time in between, you’re losing money,” Schillinger says. These cost nothing and can happen immediately. “That’s the quickest route to money,” Schillinger says.

For those tackling a budget on their own, there are two categories of expenditures to take into account:

First, recognize the size and scope of your business with your fixed costs. These expenses stay the same every month, like rent, utilities and insurance. “Getting the right sized space is very important,” Schillinger says. A small change can mean a significant amount of extra (or less) rent money each month.

Second, account for the variable costs. Variable costs are harder to navigate, like traveling to clients’ houses. “You’re going to have to pay gasoline, and that’s going to depend on how many clients you have, which is going to fluctuate,” Schillinger says. Businesses in the fitness industry encounter many one-time or yearly costs, like continuing education, certification and equipment costs, “little things that are easy to forget about,” Schillinger says. “People have a real common tendency to underestimate; it’s a guarantee that you’re going to forget things.”

Instead, be as detailed as possible, including every possible expense — even your own pay. “A lot of people don’t pay themselves in our field or they’ll say, ‘I’ll get paid later,’ ” Schillinger says. “We want to build that into your budget from the beginning so you don’t get caught short.” By planning a thorough budget, a potential business owner will be able to see the money it will cost them to run a business and, consequently, the money they need to make to support that.  “Can you do those numbers on the gross sale side?” Schillinger asks. If so, determine the number of clients and service rate to achieve the sales number.

Creating a budget is surely a time and (possibly) money commitment. But one must be prepared for business if they want to succeed, Schillinger says. “By preparing a budget, you can see if your business is going to fail before you even begin,” Schillinger says.

Quick fixes for cutting costs
Often times, business owners who have strayed from their budget can get back on track with some quick changes. Jaya Schillinger, owner of fitness coaching business Inspiration, Inc., provides some easy ways to scale back your expenses.

1. Stop wasting money. Schillinger says owners can look for ways to cut overhead through scaling advertising, reducing staff, changing hours and having the owner work more.
2. Recognize missed opportunities. “If customers are on a plan for 10 sessions and you let that expire without rebooking it, or if there’s down time in between, you’re losing money,” Schillinger says.
3. Ask for referrals. These cost nothing and can happen immediately. “That’s the quickest route to money,” Schillinger says.

Don’t fudge the budget
Business coach Jaya Schillinger lists the top five mistakes fitness professionals make while budgeting for a business — and how you can avoid them.

1. Underestimating your actual expenses. “Even if you’re not going to do a proper budget, it would be a very smart idea to have a spreadsheet where you list out all of your expenses,” Schillinger says. “When you have those once a year things that people tend to forget about, make sure those things are on there. That way, when it does come time to make a budget, you’re being realistic.”
2. Not having a plan at all. Schillinger says flying blind is a surefire way to fail.
3. Forgetting about outsourced work. “Make sure that the rate you want to pay subcontractors fits what you can afford to pay them,” Schillinger says.
4. Selling services one session at a time. “Selling your services one session at a time, as opposed to having people buy larger packages is a common mistake people make in the beginning,” she says. “You’re always feeling like you never have enough money to cover your bills because you can’t count on income coming in the future. The bigger packages people buy, the more predictable your income gets.”
5. Neglecting to have a retail component. Schillinger said the best businesses always sell some retail. “If you’re a fitness trainer, you’re probably recommending your client work out with some weights at home as well, so they’re going to need to buy those dumbbells from someone, why not you?” she says. “I would suggest that you take control of that by choosing products that you really endorse and finding a way to make a revenue off of that, either commission or selling it yourself.”

Article Key Points:

• A well-prepared budget will create a path for fitness professionals to follow.
• Reconcile your relationship with money and charge appropriately for your talent and your services.
• When creating your business budget account for both fixed and variable costs.
• Be sure to pay yourself. This is a prime mistake many business owners make.

Click here to visit the HFPN website.

Do-it-yourself internet marketing will always give you the most bang for your buck because it's so much less expensive than traditional print advertising. Especially in this economy, you need to still be marketing, but in ways that are inexpensive and that also give you control to be flexible. These are some crazy, changing times! You've got to be able to adapt and change approaches on a dime. Internet marketing helps you do that. If you can learn to update your own website, blog, newsletter, and Twitter page--you've got tremendous power over your business.

 
For our website, I use InspirationalWebHosting. I've been on-line since 1999 and have tried various template-based ecommerce website services. Several years ago, after being very frustrated with Go Daddy's clunky website builder, I found Inspirational Web Hosting. I like them SO much, that I contracted a licensing deal with them and they are our official web hosting division. They handle all the back end support and billing. They have a design team, too. Although what I like best about them is that it's really easy to do yourself! It's very similar to Microsoft Word. There are a few things that are unique to website building that you'll learn along the way, but it's geared towards business owners, not techs. If you're curious, sign up for a free 10-day trial and bang around on it!

I've been using Typepad to build and host my blogs since 2006. They've gone through a few evolutions since then, but I find their platform to be easy to use and I don't have to hassle with uploading it onto my website servers. They let you use your own domain name. They have predesigned templates (so you can start right away) or you can create your own design. They've got good customer service via email. Some recent changes they've made make it nimble and efficient. I highly recommend them. They have a free trial, too.

Setting up your first blog template will take a few hours, mostly so you can learn to navigate through the different settings. Creating a custom banner (I use Picnik) and layout will take longer. I spent six hours starting up a new blog today, most of that time was spent obsessively tweaking my banner image and fonts (artistic fun for me.) It's a personal food & wine blog, although I think it would be wonderful to meet some new professional connections, too. The wine & hospitality industries are the heart & soul of my local community.

If you click through to Sonoma Bon Vivant, you'll see that I just have one post up (as of this writing.) I'm showing you my unfinished blog because sometimes people procrastinate, rather than just start getting the word out. Remember: You don't have to be perfect, you just have to start. Your first attempts might look rough at first. That's okay! Edit it later. Surely you've heard that same advice about writing, and blogging is no different. Rough draft first. Edit for a final draft later.

Building a blog or website is similar to painting the Golden Gate bridge. By the time you're finally, "finished," you're going to want to start over and update it. That's because your skills will have vastly improved along the way! You'll have to take my word on it, but by the time you've gone through the initial learning curve, it really starts to get fun. Those of you who are aesthetically-inclined will really gravitate towards it, once you learn how. Again, the important thing is to just get started.

The best getting started article (for the step-by-steps) is one I wrote previously: Geeky Like Me: How to Start Your Blog and Why. It's still the exact same set up that I personally use and it's been working for 3.5 years. Many people have emailed me to say that article held their hand enough that they were able to start blogging.

Need more help than that? I'm here for you. Now that I've got a good program that will let us both be on-line and screen-share remotely, it's easier for me to teach you. I'm of the "teach a man to fish," school of coaches. Happy to do some of the geek bits while you watch, what I really want to do is empower you to do this for yourself. We'll be using the same services I already use and that I know will work well for you. Together, we can get you trained and get your site done.

If you'd like me to personally work with you, I'm prepared to give you a competitively low price (what you'd pay for a web geek, not my usual consulting rate.) Email me so we can discuss your needs. I'm ready to roll up my shirt sleeves, if you are!

The early winds of change blew gently. I clung and strengthened my resolve. Another gust made me tremble, yet still, I did not move. Gale force winds now bring the impending fall I’ve been resisting. There is beauty in letting go gracefully.

Rather than cling to what is not working, today I choose to gently let go. Even though I don’t yet know where I’m landing, spirit will give me a soft place to fall.

[Meditations by Jaya Schillinger. Click here to see more.]

Do you sometimes have the need to be able to show someone a document or give step-by-step instructions to someone who's working on a different computer in a different location? I do! There are so many times when I need to teach someone how to do something on-line or in a software program, but it's hard to walk them through it by phone. I want them to be able to see my computer screen.

There are plenty of screen-sharing programs for sale. I've dabbled with a few of them, but found them to be either too clunky, too expensive, or in most cases, both--until now.

I just discovered Adobe's terrific free ConnectNow on-line software. Adobe? Terrific? Your first thought might be the same as mine, equating the Adobe brand with their painfully slow resource-hogging PDF's. There's nothing more annoying then accidentally clicking on a PDF link and having to stop whatever you were doing and wait for a PDF document (that you didn't want) to open. Yet sometimes negative expectations can set the stage for great surprises! Adobe's ConnectNow is easy, fast, and doesn't seem to slow my computer down at all. In fact, it's saving me a lot of time because rather than emailing documents back and forth, I'm able to collaborate with people in real time.

Here's how it works:

• You open a free account at http://www.adobe.com/acom/connectnow/
• Configure a few simple "meeting" preferences, such as do you want to use a web cam with microphone, use the free teleconference phone number Adobe gives you, or use the chat feature. 
• ConnectNow gives you a permanent custom URL as your meeting address.
• You send email invitations to people to join your meeting (up to 3 people can be in a meeting in this free version.)
• All attendees have to do is click on your link, dial the phone number you specified, and enter the meeting. They don't have to install anything. It's easy!
• As the host, you can choose to share a document, PowerPoint presentation, web page, even your entire computer screen with attendees. There's even a white board feature if you want to make visual notes.
• Does someone else need to share? You can assign them control (they will need to download a small application to use this feature.)
• Need to do a little remote tech support on their computer? They can give you control over their computer.
• One other blessing: it's cross platform, allowing PC's and Mac's to collaborate through the internet, so there doesn't (seem) to be any compatibility issues.

It's brilliant for trainers & consultants. The program has allowed me to do some hands-on tech work for my clients, but most importantly, teach them. Last week, I was able to help one client set up her blog and review another client's PowerPoint presentation with her live, as she clicked through and explained her slides. I'm just scratching the surface of what's possible.

This program would also be great for off-site managers, who want to review and discuss reports or help a new staff member learn something on the computer without having to come into the office. 

This program would also be fantastic for collaborating with your bookkeeper or accountant, without you needing to export a file as an email attachment.

Adobe ConnectNow also has a webinar-level service for groups at a monthly or pay-per-use fee. I've attended one webinar hosted on the Adobe service and it was the smoothest, easiest, best experience I've ever had. Next time I do a virtual class, I'll test it out and report on what's it like to use it to host one.

Hi Jaya:

I read your article on nail clients. I am wondering what the prevailing thought is about people who do nails? Specifically, manicurists who are habitually late and who answer the phone while they are doing your nails? I had an experience the other day with the woman I go to: Our appointment was for 10:30. She called and asked if I would change it to 11:00. I said O.K. I got there and she was not anywhere near done with a client at 11:00. I waited until 11:25 and realized she still had more to do with that client. I got up and told her I couldn't wait any longer.

She also wears a headset while she is doing nails and if the phone rings (and it does quite a lot) she answers it.

The thing is, she is not alone. I have been to at least three different people here in my town--all of whom are like this.

It was such an interesting topic (and all-too-common story) that I decided to write another article in response to it:

Is a Good Manicurist Hard to Find? Changes in the Nail Salon Business

Some of the answers to the question about "good manicurists"--ones that provide excellent customer service, in addition to doing a good job on your nails--are found in cultural differences. I'm not just speaking of ethnic cultures (which sometimes have differing etiquette) but vocational and work cultures. The attitudes, beliefs, and values of people working in certain industries and organizations combine to create an overall business culture and standard of behavior. Then of course, each service provider has her/his own level of customer service that is acceptable (or not) to the business owner and most importantly--to you, the customer.

The nail industry has changed quite a bit since I first started managing salons in the 1980's. Back then, nail services were most often done in full-service beauty salons. Demand for acrylic and then-new gel nails was high. The required follow-up appointments for fills made customers fiercely loyal to their manicurists. It was a booming industry and good manicurists (and their steady, loyal clientele) were valuable assets to a business owner. For example, I remember paying one of the manicurists that worked for me a whopping 80% commission on services. With tips, she was taking home over $80,0000 a year. Paying her as much as we did, the salon didn't make any profits from her actual services, yet she was so adept at getting her customers to become hair and esthetic clients, we still benefited financially from her employment. Offering nail services as a loss-leader to increase clientele for other services was pretty typical back then.

In the late 80's to early 90's, we began seeing a different trend. Vietnamese immigrants began opening up family-run nail salons in the states. However the popularity of Vietnamese nail salons began in Europe. Post-war, the Vietnamese culture integrated with the French and Vietnamese women created successful manicurist careers for themselves in the European beauty industry. (Anyone else remember when French Manicures were "new" in the US? Europe has set our beauty treatment standards for ages.) Changes in US immigration laws sheltered waves of Vietnamese refugees, yet most were unable to find jobs in corporate America. Instead, Vietnamese families pursued the "American dream" by entering the small business sector, working together in low-overhead nail salons, where they could get by if just one or two workers could speak English and translate for the others.

By providing inexpensive services, along with good results, they were able to woo full-service salon clients, as well as make regular nail services accessible to a market of women that could previously not afford them. Cautious at first, American women put language and cultural differences aside and started embracing their new service providers. As Asian nail salons started booming, many (but not all) full-service salons started reporting losses in the manicuring department. Customers started choosing the lower-cost option. Manicurists who were previously earning high numbers, didn't want (or couldn't afford) to take a pay-cut to stay competitive. Other than members of family-owned nail salons, fewer people have been choosing manicuring as a career, which also makes good employees hard to find. Rare is a family member going to abandon their roots and seek outside employment. Many Asian family-owned nail salons have worked hard and succeeded. Meanwhile, many full-service salons & spas have conceded defeat and pulled the manicuring department out altogether. (As a consultant, I've often been the one to recommend pulling the plug.)

[Here's an article from a Vietnamese-American perspective:]
GETTING A TOEHOLD: Cleaning nails opens doors for many Vietnamese

The lower service prices in many nail salons has also affected service levels to some extent. Needing to squeeze as many appointments in as possible, along with a motivation to capture walk-in customers (and prevent them from going to another close-by nail salon) many nail salons habitually over-book and run late. While they want to serve clients that prefer to book appointments (steady, repeat business) they'll often take a last-minute client, even if it's a few minutes before your appointment time. Nail salons also experience what restaurants do--many people call to make reservations, but then don't show up. Nail salon customers tend to not plan ahead, unless it's hard to get in. Switching from one nail salon to another is more common now, too. Customers know they can get an appointment on a moment's notice (and service providers are fast to pick up the phone to say 'yes'--whether they are already booked or not.) There seems to be more of a divide in nail salon operations these days: some nail salons thrive by doing non-stop services without appointment, while others thrive by exploiting that difference and offering a higher level of customer service (and can charge a premium for that distinction!)

Although there are many reasons behind the changes in business culture and customer service levels, it still comes down to balancing the needs of the business with the needs of the customer. The disappointing part is that many business owners don't really take a stand for customer care. One high-end day spa experience I had illustrates the point. After working hard as a presenter at a spa business expo in Las Vegas, I had some pampering time scheduled upon my return. My massage therapist was fantastic. My esthetician was brusque and impersonal--she never even told me her name. My all-over pampering experience was sinking and my manicurist was the iceberg that sunk the Titanic. She "greeted" me in the quiet room with a half-eaten candy bar in her hand--the other half was in her mouth while she spoke, "You get nail?" Then she waved her half-eaten snack in gesture for me to walk towards the manicuring room. She continued to finish eating and also took a call on her cell phone while doing my pedicure. After she hung up the phone, she blurted, "That my other business. You should come there next time," and proceeded to fish some dirty business cards out of her handbag. Curious about her reaction, I replied, "But I'm a customer here." She explained how the spa I was at was inconvenient for her to drive to and that the other place was better for her. I thought about leaving mid-pedi, but instead picked up a magazine and actively ignored her as best I could. When I checked out, I told the assistant manager about her manners and also that she'd asked me to become a customer at the other place she worked. She replied, "I know, but we NEED her." Case closed. She'd heard it before and didn't care. Imagining that the spa director might want to know (I know my clients would!) I took the time to call the next day and got a similar response. Somehow, they thought they were still benefiting from having here there, even though they lost me as a customer (and my potential referrals) because of it. This puts a whole other spin on the term "loss leader" when it comes to the manicure department!

As a customer, you get to vote with your dollars and referrals. I understand the frustration my reader experienced from having tried 3 different manicurists and getting the same poor treatment by all of them. The bottom-line advice I have for her or anyone is to walk your pretty pedicured toes out the door and try another nail salon. Price isn't always an indicator of quality (I paid $80 for a mani/pedi at the spa I mentioned above) although sometimes paying a little more at a business with good management is really worth it. The best indicator of quality is usually word-of-mouth. Referrals from friends are great, but the internet is your best friend now, too. Yelp and CitySearch are rich with tell-it-like-it-is customer reviews. People that are motivated to write online reviews are usually either very satisfied or very dissatisfied. The overall range of experiences is what you want. The internet is a great place to hear the good, the bad, and the ugly about your local beauty businesses. Good (and great) manicurists are out there. The work in different types of nail salons. They speak different languages. Yet what they have in common is more than an operator's license; they truly care about their customers--and for some professionals, that will never change.