The HONA Podcast - With Mike & Charl
Welcome to The HONA Podcast—the ultimate mix of education and entertainment for nail techs and salon owners! Hosted by Mike & Charlotte, the husband and wife team with real-world experience. We’re here to inspire, educate, and improve the modern-day nail tech. From expert tips and behind-the-scenes stories to community spotlights and business growth advice, we’ve got everything you need to level up your career. Tune in weekly for a fun, bubbly, and insightful journey into the nail tech world!
Episodes

Friday Jan 24, 2025
Friday Jan 24, 2025
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

Friday Jan 17, 2025
Friday Jan 17, 2025
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

Friday Dec 20, 2024
Friday Dec 20, 2024
Understanding HEMA: Pros, Cons, and HONA's Stance | The HONA Podcast with Mike and Charl
In this informative episode of the HONA Podcast, hosts Mike and Charl dive into the topic of HEMA, or 2-Hydroxyethyl methacrylate, a common adhesive monomer in the nail industry. They explain what HEMA is, its pros and cons, why it's widely used, and why HONA chooses not to include it in their products.
They also discuss the potential risks and controversies surrounding HEMA, including allergies and overexposure, and they share insights on safer alternatives.
Additionally, the episode features shoutouts, client anecdotes, and behind-the-scenes updates from HONA. Perfect for nail techs wanting to understand the intricacies of HEMA and make informed decisions for their business.

Friday Dec 13, 2024
Friday Dec 13, 2024
The HONA Podcast Episode 4: The Importance of Industry Events and Digital Community Support
In this episode of the HONA Podcast, hosts Michael Chao, Charl, and Mike discuss the benefits of attending industry events for nail technicians, whether organized by brands or community members. They delve into how participating in these events can help nail techs step out of their comfort zones, learn new skills, and create valuable connections. The episode also features a heartfelt shoutout to community member Martha Mumby, emphasizing the importance of digital community support. Additionally, the hosts provide details on HONA's upcoming After Christmas Party in Bristol, highlighting the exciting entertainment lined up for the event.

Friday Dec 06, 2024
Friday Dec 06, 2024
In this episode, we delve deep into the world of online booking systems specifically tailored for nail techs. We discuss why you should consider implementing one, address common apprehensions and fears, and share personal experiences to help you decide whether or not it's the right move for your business. Plus, we give a shoutout to the community and highlight an adorable gesture that made our week! Get tips on enhancing your work-life balance, protecting your revenue, and maximising client satisfaction.

Friday Nov 29, 2024
Friday Nov 29, 2024
Balancing Act: Work-Life Harmony for Nail Techs
In Episode Two of the HONA podcast, hosts Mike and Charlotte discuss the challenges and importance of maintaining a healthy work-life balance, especially for nail technicians. They share personal anecdotes and practical tips for setting boundaries, using booking systems, and effective content scheduling. The episode also features a community shout-out to Abigail's new salon, humorous nail art requests from listeners, and an exciting behind-the-scenes reveal about HONA's upcoming hard gel product trials.
00:00 Welcome Back to the HONA Podcast
00:39 Casual Vibes and Crocs
02:31 Community Shoutout: Celebrating Abigail
05:16 Work-Life Balance: The Struggle is Real
12:37 The Importance of Boundaries
16:40 Content Creation and Scheduling Tips
23:17 The Power of Subscriptions
25:04 Swapping Gel Polish and Business Tips
25:39 Recap of Top Five Tips
26:27 Content Creation and Scheduling
27:53 Habit Stacking for Success
30:55 Community Q&A: Craziest Nail Art Requests
38:38 Behind the Scenes at Hona
39:03 Upcoming Hard Gel Trial
43:06 Conclusion and Teaser for Next Episode

Thursday Nov 21, 2024
Thursday Nov 21, 2024
Episode Title: Episode 1 - The HONA Podcast Intro
Hosts: Mike & Charl, Founders of HONA
Episode Number: 1
Release Date: 22/11/24In this first episode of The HONA Podcast, Mike and Charl introduce the podcast, discussing its origins and purpose. They recount how their brand, HONA (Home of Nail Art), emerged during the COVID-19 lockdown. Both share personal stories, including dealing with redundancy and becoming parents, and emphasise the importance of being visible to their community. They also talk about the upcoming segments of the podcast, including 'Spotlight of the Week' and 'Community Q&A.' The episode touches upon their journey in the nail industry, their transition to running HONA full-time, and their commitment to producing hypoallergenic products. They conclude with a teaser about their upcoming 'After Christmas Christmas Party' for nail techs.