BUSINESS PLANNING FOR 2025

Elevate your business & embrace new techniques with advice from the award-winning OPI UK&I education team

BELINDA PRICE OPI UK&I education and capability manager & owner of Nailspa, Scratch Stars Nail & Beauty Salon of the Year 2024 @belinda_opi

“Retaining new clients is key to staying busy during quiet months, so give them an amazing experience, offer aftercare advice and encourage repeat bookings.”

As we enter the busiest season of the year for most nail and beauty professionals, it can be hard to see past 31 December. But as the dust falls (nail dust, usually containing at least 50% glitter!) and a new year begins, use the opportunity to plan for the future, set goals and focus on self-improvement.

For many, January marks the start of a quiet couple of months in business, so plan now and consider ways to keep your income constant. For example, focus on rebooking clients when you see them this month. Offer them an incentive to rebook in the new year, or to upgrade to longer, more lucrative treatments.

For example, ‘book your January and February manicure appointments today and enjoy a luxury pedicure in February for just £10’. This means that you book three appointments for 2025 in one go. Retaining new clients is key to staying busy during quiet months, so give them an amazing experience, offer aftercare advice and encourage repeat bookings.

Think of seasonal trends, such as ‘having a break/ detox’ from nail coatings in January. We know that if nails are well cared for, this is not essential, but if a client is determined, make it work for you. OPI Repair ModeTM offers 99% keratin repair, without the use of a lamp or heat, and does not require extra treatment time. It is a profitable add-on service year-round, and is especially good in January when clients may mention enhancement removal, as it provides strength as well as treatment and retail opportunities. Combine with OPI Nail Envy and ProSpa Nail & Cuticle Oil for fabulous results, then rebook the client for their next treatment.

Once you have filled your column, consider other promotions to incentivise your team or promote retail items. Create one internal and one external promotion each month. Your external promotion is customer-facing, such as offering a half-price gel polish pedicure with every gel polish manicure. Note: OPI GelColor provides around 80 services per bottle, so there’s room for discounted pedicures.

Your internal promotion incentivises you or your team, for example ‘sell 10 bottles of OPI Repair ModeTM this month to win a £20 gift voucher or bottle of prosecco’. This creates a drive to push promotions.

January is also a time to think about booking training courses and preparing yourself for months when staff members may go on holiday. In one-to-one sessions with team members, ask what training they would like to do and create a schedule. January may also be the time that businesses decorate or refurbish. Plan this well in advance to cause minimal disruption, before unveiling your new look with an open evening and promotions to excite clients.

Whatever you have planned for 2025, the OPI team wishes you the best and wants you to know that its educators are available for support, so never hesitate to get in touch. Enjoy the December rush, look after yourself and thank you for reading our column this year!