The HONA Podcast - With Mike & Charl

Episode 13 - The Silent Appointment One

Embracing Silent Nail Appointments
Welcome to a quick episode of the HONA Podcast with Mike and Charl! Today, we're diving into the concept of silent nail appointments, a trend that's growing in popularity. Whether it's for clients who are neurodiverse or simply want a moment to relax and unwind, silent appointments can offer a spa-like feeling right at the nail salon. We explore why nail techs should consider offering them and give tips for those who might find the concept challenging. Plus, we share some interesting community stories and behind-the-scenes insights from our latest lab visit. Tune in to learn more about this innovative service approach!

Episode 12 - The Imposter Syndrome One

In this episode of the HONA Podcast, hosts Mike and Charl discuss the personal and professional struggles related to imposter syndrome, especially in the context of being a nail technician or business owner.
Charl elaborates on how this issue is relevant to their daily lives and the broader community, discussing ways to manage and suppress these feelings. They share personal stories and strategies, such as avoiding comparisons with others on social media and recognising one’s worth. They provide five actionable tips to counteract imposter syndrome, including tracking wins and taking moments for self-reflection. They also spotlight a listener’s story about how HONA positively impacted her life. Toward the end, the hosts delve into the 'Wildest Moments' question, sharing anecdotes and engaging with listener submissions.

Mother's Day Special - Boost Your Nail Profits

How to Boost Bookings & Revenue for Mother’s Day – HONA Podcast Special
Mother’s Day is more than just a date on the calendar, it’s a golden opportunity for nail techs and salon owners to increase revenue and connect with clients in a meaningful way.
In this special episode, Mike is joined by Morgan to share practical, easy-to-action tips that can help you maximise your business around Mother's Day. Whether you’re a seasoned salon owner or just starting out, this episode is packed with ideas to elevate your services and make the most of the season.
In this episode, we cover (and more):💡 Creative Mother-Daughter package ideas💅 How to use nail art menus to increase efficiency🎁 Gift card strategies that boost sales📲 Social media tips that actually work (hello, TikTok!)🌸 Collaborating with local businesses for more exposure💬 Sharing personal stories that build client connection
If you’re ready to make Mother's Day your most profitable yet, hit play and take notes.
Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more episodes designed to help nail techs thrive.
#HONA #NailTechTips #MothersDayMarketing #SalonGrowth #NailBusiness #HONAeducation

Episode 11 - The Online Education One

Exploring Nail Tech Education: In-Person vs. Online Learning In this episode of the HONA Podcast, hosts Mike and Charl dive into the topic of education, with a focus on online training for nail technicians. They discuss their experiences and share insights into Hona's educational offerings, including their complete courses, gel manicure courses, builder courses, Swift Tips, and TrueSculpt courses. Additionally, they highlight the importance of accredited courses for insurance purposes. This episode features a community shout-out, mentions the benefits of online education for various individuals, and includes behind-the-scenes insights into Hona's team celebrations.00:00 Welcome to the HONA Podcast 00:42 Today's Topic: Education 01:26 Community Shout Out of the Week 02:24 Sophie's Inspiring Story 05:23 Introduction to HONA Courses 06:09 Complete Course Overview 07:17 Gel Manicure Course 09:32 The Importance of Accreditation 11:52 Builder Courses and Techniques 16:16 Online vs. In-Person Training 23:25 Ensuring Quality in Online Courses 24:11 Breaking the Stigma of Online Training 24:44 Continued Support for Students 25:18 Engaging the Community 27:15 Question of the Week: Self-Taught Nail Techs 37:27 Behind the Scenes at Hona 41:36 Wrapping Up and Future Plans

Episode 10 - The Cuticle Oil One

The Essential Guide to Cuticle Oils with Mike and Charl - In this episode of the HONA podcast, hosts Mike and Charl dive into the topic of cuticle oils. They provide an in-depth look at the various ingredients featured in their premium cuticle oils such as jojoba oil, argan oil, vitamin E, and hyaluronic acid, and explain their benefits for nail and skin health. The hosts also share personal anecdotes, highlight the importance of quality products, and emphasise the differences between low-cost and high-performance oils. Additionally, they announce the upcoming launch of HONA's new manicure and pedicure tools. The episode reinforces the importance of client care and continuous improvement in the nail industry. 00:00 Welcome Back to the HONA Podcast 01:07 Shoutout to Nails by Lou 05:04 The Importance of Cuticle Oils 12:11 Ingredients in Our Cuticle Oil 24:21 Stacking Premium Ingredients for Healthy Nails 24:48 The Importance of Complementary Ingredients 26:00 Choosing the Right Cuticle Oils 27:30 Fragrance Options in Cuticle Oils 30:25 Creating Limited Edition Scents 31:07 Fun with Custom Fragrances 35:00 Question of the Week:Longest Manicure 37:33 Improving Speed and Client Experience 43:37 Exciting New Product Announcement 46:00 Conclusion and Thanks

Episode 9 - The Education One

The Crucial Role of Education in the Nail Industry - In this episode of the HONA Podcast, join Mike and Charl as they delve into the significant role of education in the nail industry. They express gratitude to their listeners and discuss the evolution of educational standards in the UK over the past decade. They highlight the unique selling points (USPs) of HONA, especially their commitment to providing accessible, barrier-free education for nail techs. We also explores the value of different types of training—online versus in-person, conversion courses, and the pitfalls of cheap, unaccredited online courses. 00:00 Welcome to the HONA Podcast 00:39 Today's Topic: Education 01:03 Shout Out of the Week: Chloe Stocker 02:02 The Importance of Continuous Education 07:59 The Value of Conversion Courses 13:47 Online vs. In-Person Training 18:48 The Reality of Online Nail Tech Courses 21:49 The Importance of Continuous Education 22:56 Insurance and Accreditation: What You Need to Know 24:06 Engage with the Community and Free Resources 25:02 Question of the Week: New Year's Resolutions 30:57 Behind the Scenes: Planning for 2025 32:26 Conclusion and Where to Find Us

Episode 8 - The Product Development One

The Journey of Product Development at HONA: From Idea to Launch In this episode of the HONA podcast, Mike and Charl dive deep into the intricate process of product development. They discuss how a product moves from an initial idea or community request to its final launch, using their own brand's experience with developing hard gel products as a case study.
The duo elaborates on the importance of not compromising on quality, safety, and performance, and explains how using an agile approach helps HONA achieve this.
They also touch on the legal and compliance aspects involved, the challenges of quick trend adaptation, and the extensive testing and trial phases with various nail techs. The podcast ends with some light-hearted client anecdotes and the latest behind-the-scenes look at HONA's exciting new product launches.
00:00 Welcome to the HONA Podcast
00:22 Today's Topic: Product Development
01:23 Shout Out of the Week
02:29 Challenges in Product Development
04:24 The Testing Phase
06:57 From Testing to Trial
11:27 Community Trials and Feedback
15:02 Compliance and Packaging
17:12 Custom Containers for TrueSculpt
17:25 Label Compliance and Requirements
18:18 Additional Products and Packaging
19:40 Challenges of Following Trends
20:36 From Brainstorm to Product Launch
21:39 Marketing and Outreach Efforts
24:39 Client Interactions: The Fun Side
28:22 Behind the Scenes: Hard Gel Launch
29:24 Wrapping Up and Looking Ahead

Valentine's Special - Boost Your Nail Business This Valentine's Day

Boost Your Nail Salon Business This Valentine's Day! | HONA Podcast Join Mike and special guest Morgan McLaughinsfield on the HONA podcast as they dive into strategies for marketing your nail salon business during Valentine's Day. They discuss the importance of capitalizing on seasonal occasions and provide actionable tips on generating extra revenue, increasing client engagement, and boosting your social media reach. From creating a Valentine's Day nail art menu to leveraging TikTok Shop and running captivating giveaways, this episode is packed with valuable insights for nail techs. Don't miss out on these expert tips to make the most of the season of love!

Episode 7 - The Pricing One

Mastering Nail Tech Pricing: Setting the Right Prices for Your Services
In this episode of the HONA podcast, hosts Mike and Charl dive into the complexities of pricing your nail services. They discuss structuring a price list, considering treatment costs, implementing deposits, and handling cancellations and no-shows. Highlighting the stigma around nail tech pricing, they advocate for educating both nail techs and clients on the value of skilled nail services.
They also tackle common misconceptions, provide tips for calculating expenses, and reflect on the importance of regular price increases. If you're a nail tech looking to refine your pricing strategy, this episode is packed with actionable insights and expert advice.
00:00 Introduction to the HONA Podcast
00:27 Today's Topic: Pricing in the Nail Industry
01:35 Shout Out of the Week
02:45 Challenges in Nail Pricing
08:18 Structuring Your Price List
10:21 Factoring in Costs and Setting Prices
14:18 Adjusting Prices and Client Communication
17:39 Competitive Pricing and Client Perception
20:17 Valuing Your Worth: Aim for a Ferrari Client
20:47 Factoring in Marketing and Admin Tasks
21:52 Cancellation Fees and Deposits
23:39 Handling No-Shows and Enforcing Policies
26:50 Unpopular Opinions in the Nail Tech World
34:50 Behind the Scenes with Hona
36:33 Looking Ahead: Trends and Future Topics

Episode 6 - The Growing One

From Solo Nail Tech to Thriving Salon Owner: Pros, Cons, and Tips for Success
 
Join Mike and Charl on the HONA podcast as they discuss the transition from solo nail technician to salon owner. They delve into the challenges and rewards of expanding a nail business, covering key topics like financial planning, creating the right company culture, managing responsibilities, and hiring the right staff. This episode is a must-listen for nail techs looking to understand what success looks like for them as they consider growing their business. Don't miss insights on handling overhead costs, building a brand, and maintaining work-life balance while scaling up. Plus, enjoy the 'Shoutout of the Week' and 'Question of the Week' segments!
00:00 Introduction and Today's Topic
01:06 Shout Out of the Week
02:44 Pros of Owning a Salon
13:12 Cons of Owning a Salon
26:30 Financial Considerations for Setting Up a Salon
27:43 Building a Strong Brand and Supportive Culture
28:08 Hiring the Right Staff 29:54 Delegating Roles and Responsibilities
32:37 Mentorship and Staff Development
35:21 Question of the Week
44:46 Behind the Scenes with Hona
46:40 Next Episode Preview and Closing Remarks