#2 Product Usage and Inventory: A couple of nail techs in the salon use more product than others and never clean up after themselves, making other staff resentful. How do you handle this?

“As a salon owner, I’ve seen how product overuse and messy workstations can quickly cause uneasiness among the team. When a couple of techs consistently use more product than necessary and leave their stations in disarray, it creates tension, especially when others feel they’re stuck cleaning up or stretching the salon’s budget.

To handle this, I start by addressing the issue head-on in a way that doesn’t single anyone out in front of the group. During a team meeting, I’ll remind everyone of the salon’s standards for product usage and cleanliness; that we use very high-quality products, and so less is more in most cases; and that these habits affect both the business and the team dynamic. If the behavior continues, I’ll have a one-on-one conversation with those involved, showing them how small changes—like portion control and cleaning as they go—make a big difference. I’ve found that leading by example and offering constructive feedback works best. It’s about creating a culture where we all take responsibility for our shared space and resources. After all, a happy team makes for a successful salon!” —Nancy Muralles, Gelish Dean of Education and owner of The Nailist Beauty Co. in Maple Ridge, BC, Canada

“Managing product usage, inventory and maintaining harmony in a salon with both renters and employees requires clear systems and boundaries. For renters, product management is their responsibility, but for shared items like trash bags, soap and laundry detergent, we use a checklist system where everyone takes turns purchasing. Employees check out products when in use, and I track inventory monthly to ensure everything is organized and well-stocked. If I notice overuse, I address it directly and educate the tech on proper usage to minimize waste. To prevent theft, security cameras are in place throughout the salon to ensure accountability. When it comes to cleaning, I’m upfront: If you want to be your own boss, laundry and cleaning are part of the job. While I’ve addressed this repeatedly, at the end of the day, it’s a responsibility everyone needs to handle. If someone wants to avoid it, they can expect their rent to increase to cover the additional services they don’t wish to do themselves.” —Janna Jahr, Entity Educator and owner of The Nail Department in Onalaska, WI.

#3 Personality Clashes: One tech in the salon is super type A, while another is more relaxed and passive. Their two personalities constantly clash when it comes to how they handle clients and responsibilities in the salon, bringing down the morale of the rest of the salon. How do you handle this?

“First, identifying the source of the conflict is important. Did someone not clean up the shared pedicure station or empty the trash? Sometimes having a simple to-do chart helps to gently remind the techs of responsibilities and expectations of the salon. Having this kind of clarity sometimes rectifies the situation.

Other times you might need to take a more hands-on approach. Meeting with each tech individually sometimes will bring more understanding and perspective to the situation. You don’t want to go on the attack and put them on the offense. Instead, ask open-ended questions like, ‘Tell me about your challenges with the other tech,’ or ‘What do you think could improve the atmosphere of the salon?’ Sometimes just explaining that no one person has the same thought process and that there is more than one way to accomplish a task can be helpful, too.”
—MaeLing Parrish

“Personality clashes are natural in any workplace, and my approach to handling them is rooted in communication, respect and thoughtful scheduling. For example, I work with my type A daughter, who is fast-paced and highly structured. Being 20+ years older, I’m not as fast-paced anymore. While she’s zooming around cleaning, I’m often focused on other salon management tasks, like handling the endless to-do list that comes with ownership. Sometimes she views my pace as being lazy, so I’ve had to explain that while cleaning is important, it’s not the only task that needs attention. At the same time, I make sure to show her appreciation for the things that she does, which is important to her.

To maintain harmony, we stagger our schedules so we’re only in the salon together three days a week, and we work on opposite sides of the room. This balance minimizes friction, especially since we also see each other at home. Similarly, I manage salon schedules to reduce potential conflicts between team members with differing personalities. Employees follow structured procedures I’ve implemented, while renters run their own businesses with their own methods. I encourage open communication, collaboration and mutual respect so everyone can learn from each other and thrive in their own way. By creating space for individuality, fostering professionalism and prioritizing understanding, we maintain a positive and productive salon environment for everyone. —Janna Jahr