Glitz & Glitter Nails by Keeli

Alright nail techs: here ya go!
People see a “$100 nail appointment” and think nail techs pocket $100 dollars. 💅🏼💸

Here’s a realistic breakdown of where that actually goes 👇🏼

Client pays: $100

• Put away 25% for taxes
$100 → $75

• Credit card/payment processing fees
(Square, booking systems, Afterpay, etc.)
$75 → ~$72

• Nail products used during the service
(gel, acrylic, files, bits, gloves, tips, forms, sanitation products, towels, etc.)
~$8–$15
$72 → ~$64–$57

• Booth rent / salon suite / commission split
(rent, utilities, WiFi, laundry, cleaning, furniture, etc.)
~$15–$25 per client average
$64–$57 → ~$49–$32

• Business expenses split across appointments
(website, booking apps, subscriptions, phone bill, advertising, etc.)
~$5–$10
$49–$32 → ~$44–$22

• Gas + travel + wear and tear on vehicle
~$3–$7
$44–$22 → ~$41–$15

So yes… a nail tech may PROFIT somewhere around:
👉🏼 $15–$40 from that $100 appointment depending on their overhead, speed, location, and experience.

And that’s before:

• replacing lamps & e-files 💡
• continuing education 📚
• inventory restocks 📦
• social media marketing 📱
• cancellations & no-shows 🚫
• bookkeeping & insurance 🧾
• cleaning & sanitation 🧼
• unpaid messaging after hours ⏰
• years spent mastering the craft 💅🏼

Being a nail tech is a business — not just “painting nails.”

Most clients only see the finished nails. They don’t see the overhead, the education, the physical strain, the late nights, or the unpaid hours that happen behind the scenes. ❤️