Introduction to module one

Welcome to the Business Management and Setup module. This is going to be your first big step in structuring your business for long term success. Now this module is absolutely packed with essential tools and knowledge that is going to help you to build a solid foundation for your business. So whether you're just getting started, if you have been in business for absolutely years, or you've been thinking about maybe even opening a new venture like a salon or a training academy in the near future, you're this module is going to give you more than anything the confidence to know that your setup is strong and you can go on to achieve the things you want to achieve. Now I know this kind of thing, business registration, cash flow tracking, insurance might not sound like it is the most exciting part of your journey, but trust me when I say this, these are the details that are going to help you to not only run a professional business, but also a credible one that is going to be here so still standing in years and years to come. And while these things are not usually talked about openly in our industry, I definitely know that there is no gatekeeping around here. So I'm going to make things as easy and as clear to follow as possible so that you can put all of these basics in place without feeling that overwhelmed. Now like I said, wherever you are at in your journey, this module is going to support you. So if you are just starting out, this is where you're going to lay the foundations of your business. And if you've been running your business for a while, then this your chance to check that all of the pieces are in place, maybe fine tune a few things and also just make sure that you're operating at your absolute best. You'd be surprised how many nail techs overlook some of these basics. Setting up these essentials, no matter where you are in your journey, is going to make your life easier down the road and it's going to open the door to new growth opportunities as well. So let me tell you a little story to give you a little bit of context on this module. Now back when I first started as a nail technician, I kind of thought, thought subconsciously. Well, I'm a nail technician, I love all the creative sides of things. I don't love the business sides of things. And actually I don't really need to know it because my business is doing fine. You know, I've got clients coming through the door, I do a banging set of nails if I do say so myself. So I don't really need to know all this extra business stuff. I was Working on clients, I was taking bookings and I was collecting payments all from my personal phone, my personal bank account. And honestly, my business was a bit of a mess. My clients would message me at all hours of the day, and night payments would just get lost in the chaos of my inbox. So I was unsure sometimes who paid and who hadn't. And keeping track of appointments was an absolute nightmare. There were times when I was sat with my pajamas on with a hot chocolate in front of the Christmas tree, and a client would turn up at my house, unbeknownst to me. There was also times in the salon when clients. Clients would turn up to at the same time that I didn't know has been double booked. You're probably listening to this either thinking, I can relate to that, or thinking, oh, my God, that sounds like hell. But looking back, I can just see when I look at that, that my whole setup just wasn't professional. And I overall just didn't really feel in control of my business at all. Now, the turning point came when I realized that I wasn't just doing nails, I was actually running a business. And that is a totally different mindset. Now, I needed to start seeing myself as a business owner, not just as a nail tech. And this meant setting boundaries, getting organized, and going back to the foundations to actually put proper systems in place. Once I did, everything changed. And not only did I start looking at my business differently, I started to actually just receive more respect from other people too, including my clients. Now I felt more credible. I had better control over my schedule, thank God. And most importantly, I was able to start growing in ways that I don't think I'd ever actually imagined that I could. So wherever you're at now, I want to invite you to make that same shift. You are not just a nail tech, you're a business owner. And it is time that you started to show up as one. Now, in this module, we're going to walk through the foundational steps to set up your nail business from a real structural standpoint. So we'll cover everything from registering your business, setting up a dedicated bank account to get organized, and sorting out client data, a professional email address, online tools like Google for business and booking systems. We're going to cover everything. Think of it like building the skeleton of your business. Like, these are the basics that are going to keep things stable and also give you the professional edge that you really, really need to grow moving forward. And this is also about taking it one step at a time. So we're not diving into Deep strategies here just yet. We're literally taking time right now to get the essentials in place so that you have a foundation to build on, but also so that you can sleep at night. As we move further into the program, you're then going to learn how to use these tools to their full potential. And we'll give you strategies and things like that to make each one work for you. But for now, imagine how it's going to feel when everything is organized and when you are in full control of your business. Your finances attract your clients, have got a smooth booking experience, and all of your professional information is stored in one place. I know it might feel like a lot of work to set up, but once it's done, these systems are going to support you every single day, helping things to run smoothly so that you can focus on what you love, working with your clients and growing your business. So as you go through each lesson in this module, think about how each step is helping you step into the role of that business owner. This shift is honestly so powerful because it's not just about what you're doing day to day, it's about also seeing yourself as a true professional who's got everything in order, ready to take on whatever is coming next. And don't forget, you're not alone in this. Our NCO community is absolutely full filled with other nail techs who are also at all stages, from just starting out to running salons and academies. Many of them have walked this exact same path and they're here to support you as well. Use the community newsfeed to connect, ask questions and also share your wins with us. This isn't a journey that you've got to take on your own. Every single person here has been where you are or is about to be where you are. I have also been where you are too. And we're all moving forward in this together. So remember, this module isn't about rushing. There is no finish line and it doesn't matter how long it takes. Yet each step you complete is building strength in your business and it's setting you up for the freedom and flexibility that you're aiming for. So let's get started. Take it lesson by lesson. Give yourself credit for every single milestone that you hit within this. And remember that every small step is setting you up for the big things that you have coming. Good luck, enjoy the process and I will see you in there.