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he whole nail industry
noticed a huge increase
in the new businesses
coming to the country
from different parts of the
world due to demand
for the availability of nail
products. Higher level
and variety of education
(new shapes, 3d nail
art, one stroke) has been
introduced by Eastern
European educators, which
has raised the bar for many
already existing companies and
also heightened demand for the
diversity of products.
This tendency has been
observed by many of the
highly-qualified nail technicians
who decided to bring the
products to Ireland and educate
others about how to use them.
This whole process moved
quickly from introducing new
techniques to growing the
business mainly based on
distributing nail products.
WHAT MAKES A GOOD
DISTRIBUTOR?
"Being a good distributor is not
about receiving. Being a good
distributor is about doing things
honorably and treating your
customer in the way in which
you yourself would want to be
treated. It is something dear
to our hearts and although
we have won awards for our
customer service, we will
always strive to do better.
Finally being a good distributor
is about saying `thank you'
to your customers. Without
`them', there would be no `us'...
that's why our culture is all
about love & respect!" ­ says
Samantha Sweet from Sweet
Squared.
Followed by an Italian company
called Morgana Nails & Make
up who is looking for a
representative in our country
too. Morgana products for nail
care are of the highest quality,
born from the passion of a team
of nail technicians who have
decided to participate actively
in the study of UV Gels.
ARE THERE ANY
STRUGGLES?
Yes, according to Erin from
Nail Gaga, "With the growing
demands of today's tech,
financially there can be a
struggle as you are always
trying to meet the demand by
constantly taking on new stock,
advertising etc. The turn around
of stock is something to think
about, ways in which you can
keep it moving. You always have
to think one step ahead".
"We always wanted to find a
product for the reconstruction
and decoration of nails" ­ says
Denise Ariotti, a Morgana
master educator. Morgana is an
innovative formula and it is used
in the training of new educators
and new nail technicians to
broaden the team!
We asked Fiona Morris an
exclusive distributor of Artisan
International what made her
to start distribution, "If am to
be honest, the decision to
distribute Artisan was not
taken lightly. I researched
a number of companies
for a period of time. I was
looking for a product that
was of top quality and
affordable. The benefits
are 10 fold, but I find that
the wide range of products,
the packaging coupled with
having the comfort of Artisan's
customer service to help me
market the product."
IS THERE MORE SPACE ON
THE IRISH MARKET FOR
MORE COMPANIES?
"Of course there is ­ says Irina
Kiseleva, exclusive distributor
of Mosaic/Kodi/Mistero Milano
in Ireland ­ but I would really
advise not to jump to it straight
away. Plan your business before
you start and make sure you
have enough money to take it
on. I saw few people starting
with distribution but playing
it very wrong. Competition
pushes me to try even more
and make my business better. I
think it drives us all forward at
the end of the day."
All main distributors claim it is
not easy but it is worth at the
end. Capability of combining
working, as a nail technician,
educator and sub-distributor
or distributor is hard, but is the
key to success. You need to be
comfortable with the products
you choose to sell them with
confidence.
Before you make the decision
we advise you to:
1. Try the products out first
2. Make sure you have enough
funds for your orders and
advertising
3. Plan your marketing and PR
4. Be prepared to travel to show
off your products to potential
customers
5. Be prepared to dedicate at
least 50% of your time to
promote the business
T
"You get work with a product
brand you love! Being a distributor
can be rewarding financially and very
fulfilling personally. Selling products
you adore should be effortless,
and the benefits of this can be
endless!" ­ says Erin Adeyemo
from Nail Gaga who is
looking for a distributor
in Ireland.
When we have Planning
Meetings we don't sit
and spout numbers ­
we talk about `what can
we do next to make our
customers' lives easier and
more rewarding'
- says Samantha Sweet
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NO.9 (5/2013)