By Cindy Grigiski, Owner Perfectly Polished Nail Boutique
I want to take a little time to talk about something near and dear to all of us…our personal services. Personal services are just that … personal. What makes them so personal is that they are something done for you that makes you feel good about yourself on the outside as well as on the inside. Getting your hair done, your nails done, tanning, eyelash extensions, or a massage are all examples of things we do for ourselves that give us a little boost in our mood. During the weeks of the government shutting down businesses because of the Covid-19 virus, we all learned about what are essential and non-essential businesses. Personal services were considered non-essential but are they really? The term “essential service” is subjective. What is essential to you may not be deemed essential by someone else. Who is to say what is deemed essential? Personal services to me are essential because getting those services affects our mental health and the way we feel about ourselves and that is as essential as having our other basic needs met.
Personally, for me, it is getting my nails done. Before I owned a salon, I have always gotten my nails done. It was something I enjoyed doing and it was not to look good or get compliments on, it was something I did for me. It was for me to look at and it gave me joy to see my pretty fingernails. The experience of getting my nails done was also part of it because it was “me” time. In the past, I was a work-at-home mom and it was important for me to go out every 3 weeks and get my nails done. I always said no one messes with my nail appointment. I looked forward to those appointments to sip some coffee and chat with my nail tech and other clients around me. It was an hour of bliss.
So, when someone asks me why I opened a nail salon, I guess it was because I wanted to provide a place where people can go to experience their personal service in a relaxed and comfortable environment. It is a place they can come and enjoy whatever it is they enjoy about that time with us. I have my “why” reflected to me from things our clients say. They say they are happy when they come in and get a chance to relax and have their “girl” time or it is something that makes them feel normal when things are not going well for them in other areas of their lives. It is deeply personal to them.
After going through a long period of not getting our personal services done, I see people going through withdrawals and yearning to get back to normal. We look forward to having our clients back and getting to meet new clients in the coming weeks. We will welcome all with open arms, coffee or wine, and great conversation. And of course, the clients will leave with beautiful fingernails or toenails and a sense of fulfillment and satisfaction that they had their personal service that truly was personal to them.
Soon the dark cloud could be lifted, and we can enjoy our essential personal services again without fear. What services are essential for you? How do those services make you feel?
