EP2 Press on nails 101: WHAT YOU NEED to sell press on nails & the cost breakdown! 💕 nail business! 

I'm an accountant and your math to determine cost of goods is spot on :) You're awesome and I love your videos!!

With Pirate Ship, you can set it up so the post office will pick up the package from your house -- you just leave it on your steps (or wherever your mail gets dropped) and the postal worker grabs it when they drop off your mail and send it out for you ...that way you won't even need to go to the post office anymore

Thank you for this Val! Can you do a video on the legalities of everything? Sellers permit, taxes, deductions and all of that💛

Hey Val, quick fyi… Amazon breaks the price by each for you. For instance the tape would be .23 cents per foot used. It’s in red parenthesis by the price 😉

I'd love to learn about the ordering/payment process you have for new people! How do you size them? Figure out what they want? Charge them? Etc

Great video as always val. I love watching all your videos. For anyone wondering how to work out the price for pricing nail tips. Here is an example- lets say you buy 500 nail tips at £14 to work it out you would do £14➗500 which works out to 28p so then let’s say you do a set of 10 nails. That would be 28p x 10 which is £2.80 And from there you can just tailor it to however you need. Like if you do a set of 12 nails you would just do 0.28x12=£3.36 So each set is only costing £2.80/£3.36 then if you add the cost that val worked out for the supply’s, I can’t remember how much it was now but it was only a couple of quid. Say £2.50 so each set you make is costing you £5.30 so when you are working out how much to sell your sets for personally I would also add on (at least as a bare minimum) the national minimum wage per hour for where you live. For me at the moment is £9.50p/h (from April this year it will be £10.42) So if the set takes you 1 hr to make. At a minimum make sure to add that because why would you charge yourself less than minimum wage for your work. Personally I would charge a bit more because these are custom nails and many of us have spent a lot of money on training an learning/honing our craft. So you need to charge for that. So basically let’s say at a minimum you charge £10p/h (tho I think you should charge a bit more at least) then £5.30 for tips and supplies etc so no set should be charged less than £15.30 but then there is cost of gels and anything else you need to think of as well (which if I added that to this comment 1 this comment would be even longer than it already is lol an 2 I’d have probably bored you all to death lol) so let’s just add a couple quid on for that as well so let’s say each set you make you should be charging AT LEAST £18 (or $/€ etc) but you want to be making a little profit as well otherwise what is the point in doing this. So add a little on top for profit as well. Which I think depend on the set. When it’s just simple easy sets I’d say only add a few quid. Then scale up the more complex the sets get. So to finally finish this long comment lol. Personally I would say the lowest price set you should be offering is nothing less than £20/22 (but remember, that figure is based on the prices that I have stated in this comment. You would need to tailor it to the prices of your products. Am sell your sets for nothing lower than that figure. As this is just working out how much the lowest price set should be.) I hope this helps at least one person anyway. And I hope I haven’t just bored you to death lol. And I also hope I explained it well enough for you to understand. Anyways, I’m here to help, if I can, if anyone needs any help. As we should all be helping each other if we can. Xx

Thank you so much for all you do for us Val. You are such an amazing person . You have inspired so many people to start their own press on business. . ❤❤❤❤Also could you go into more detail about the shipping app you said you used and how it works and what options to choose on there.

To calculate the tape you’d need to decide how many inches you use… for your 50 ft roll at 10 bucks, that equates to 10 divided by 50= .20 cents per foot. A foot equals 12 inches so divide 20 cents by 12 = .016 round up to 2 cents per inch. If you use 6 inches of tape you’d get 100 pieces per roll which equals 12 cents.

Yes a sizing video would be much appreciated! And you briefly mentioned in part one sharing the types of clients you’ve dealt with, im very curious to know how the customer service side of this goes because THAT is what stresses me out about starting my own business 😂

Thank you for all the info! I'd love to hear more about sizing since that confuses me a lot since different tips, even if they have the same number are different sizes. I'd also live to know what you'd consider the best supplies to start out with, gels, gems, charms, brushes. Maybe set a budget and pick what you'd buy with it if you were starting out?

Sizing was the first thing that came to mind when u said u needed another video idea. 😝Can u please also do a video on how you organize and keep up with customers/orders ?

Hi I'm new to your channel and so far I love it! I was wondering if you could explain the cost for the other supplies like base coats, nail polish, monomer, acrylic powder, brushes, etc for part 3 please?

Yes do a sizing video for the third video !!

This is an awesome video. Thank you for blessing us with all of this business info to help us on starting our own. I'm not sure, but I think the nail tips I just purchased from Ali express looks like the same tips you purchased, and they are like 4.92 for 240 tips. When i get my order, I will update this comment. Again, thank you so much for everything you do. ❤️ ❤️

How would we start when we have the supplies?? Would I have to make a set on my own hand and sell that design? Or ask people what they want? Or simple colors first?? Idk how to start😩

Hi this was such good information, thanks. How about information on instructions how to put on press on & correct removal of them. This is something that would be printed on cards I’m assuming through printer company or printed off yourself? Keep up the good work

Val, I had another idea for video 3. What about showing us how you record the videos? Camera placement, camera stand, lights, how you sit and do the nails. Maybe you could also take it to the editing program... It popped into my head, so thought I'd share... lol

Val I can't express to you how helpful this video is and how grateful I am for your amazing advice and guidance. Owning a press on nail business has been a dream of mine for a long time and I think that I'm actually going to commit and go for it.....which is so terrifying yet so exciting! For the next video(s) in this series, I'd love to see websites you recommend to sell items on (etsy, shopify, wix, etc), how you print labels for orders (regular printer, specialized label printer), if you take orders to a local usps or have them picked up from your home to ship, AND how you get clients sizes for press on nails (selling sizing kits, providing size charts in each listing, asking for pics, etc).THANK YOU again for helping make so many peoples dreams turn into realities!

i want to hear more about advertising and how to get to get my business going and advertise better on social media

Hi love! Thank you so much for all of the info & valuable content you put out. For part 3, would you consider sharing what you feel would be the best type of sets to make to get ppl attention? Like to take pics to use as examples of your work. What are some of the most repeated/ popular sets people ask for again n again? I love your work and your sweet vibe so much. You are actually thee first RU-vid nail content creator that I started watching. I started doing nails when the pandemic hit and I’m now working on starting my own channel and making a business out of doing nails ❤ You are definitely a big inspiration Val!

Sizing video is highly requested. I choose to do 24 piece sets but what I have trouble with are which nails should be accent nails. I use apres if that matters. Also I just signed up to be a vendor at my local farmer’s market to sell my press ons! I’ve only seen one other person do this, so I’m gonna try and make a video of my own. But I’m still trying to figure out what it’s gonna look like, and then it’s hard to figure out what designs people would like the most.

The price for each is literally on the product page lol. Just next to the price. Thank you for sharing all this information,.

BLESS UPS Val : Just for personal use I got 5 glues in a pack & most was dried out by the time I got to them. I am weary of buying large bulk for my new business! In the 90s we use to keep the glue in the fridge to preserve. What are your thoughts!? !;)PEACE

Hi Val! 💕This is honestly like shopping with a friend today! A helpful hint when shopping on Amazon… did you know you can avoid math by looking at the info next to the price of each listing? This is what it looks like: $9.99 ($.10/Count) means whatever your buying will cost .10¢ per item. I try to find this on shelf labels at the grocery store too! It really helps when choosing the smaller or larger item on the shelf. Thank u so much for your openness to teach us what you do! 😘💕💕🥰

Do you have any tips on pricing? I’m struggling right now on how to price my sets 🙁

I agree sizing would be the next topic for me lol.. great content lol I love your vids

little tip// idk if anyone has said this already but amazon will tell you how much one supply will cost, by the price😄

Your storefront could benefit with some of these supplies. I would use your storefront and I’m just getting started in press ons.

Also, I am confused on your filing - you've showed it many times saying people are confused and always ask, that's wereni get lost... lol Because when you tilt the nails and file and say, I always file down, your file is angled at that moment. So, are you trying to show and say, you file straight up and down? Or are you filing at that angle your showing? Thanks 😊

How much do you earn in a year? how many orders do you get in a day now vs when you were a beginner, also the cost of the gel polishes and rhinestones etc. Is paid advertising and giveaways required even if you post consistently?

Yaaas you drop gems all day!! I just shouted you out in my RU-vid video I finally started my channel thanks for all your inspiration hun!!!❤🎉😊

I just purchased a 50 count pack of plastic pink cuticle pushers on SheIn for $1.50 What size are the big white boxes you get when someone orders 3 or more sets, and are those on Amazon?

I got the wooden double-head nail removal stick in shein and 100 for $1.50 and also 100 nail files $2.50

How many sets can you make from one bottle of top coat?

idk if youll see this girl but on God your like a really really good teacher i learned so much from you !!! you also remind me of myself like im going thru the same thing you went thru N my manz held it down for me too 😭 your personality , your thoughts i love ❤️ i be binge watching all your videos on my tv N on my phone when im on the phone thank you for being amazing Ma ! ♥️♥️ your doing awesome girl love your workk !! much love ✨♥️

Do you send 20 or 24 nails? And what sizes? Thank you!!

Do you have any recommendations for nail tips if not buying from enailcouture? I am from the uk and shipping is £33 🙈🙈 thank you

thank you for showing us all love watching your video's 🥰💗

Does pirate ship provide tracking numbers to give to the customers?

Thank you so very much for this video. You taught this "old head" 👵some new tricks!😁 I would love to see a sizing video. And your math was perfect.😉 You did very well with your presentation.

OUUUU!! I’ve been waiting for this video! ❤❤ getting ready to start my own press on nail business!

So glad I found your RU-vid channel.... I really needed help. Thanks I appreciate you. I subscribed!!!

Val you have inspired me to start my own press on business! I have been watching your channel for a while and doing my own nails for 3 years its alwys been a hobby that ive obsessed over but now that other people have asked me to do their nails im starting to take this seriously. So my hope is to get my press on business off the ground and fund my tuition to get my license so i can take in person clients as well. In the meantime im so grateful for all the information you willingly give i hope you continue to rake in the blessings of your kindness! ❤

This was literally so perfect. I am going to create an excel sheet with this formula. THANK YOU!! Oan....OMG please do sizing!!!!!!!!! This is the ONLY thing holding me back because there are so many brands with difference sizes. None of them match the "standard" sizing chart. I am super concerned I'll make a Made to Order Set according to the standard sizing and it will be totally off because of my tips and I really don't want to do 14+ pieces every time. All the tip brands have different MM for their numbers which is so confusing. I even measured my nails with tape and all but ONE nail was off. So I compared the finger's MM w/standard size and 1 out of 4 brands matched. ONE! I have been stressed ok! Yes, HELP pretty please Lol

I'm not a math girlie, either, but calculating COGS is always so satisfying. My rule of thumb: always overestimate on materials, and underestimate on effort. If your budget comes out to $175, round it to $200. If you're confident you can fulfill 5 orders in a day, only commit to 3 or 4. Then you have room to choose for yourself whether to take on that 5th client, or splurge on premium materials, or put that extra $25 into your business' emergency fund, or to make space for some me time. Keeps stress and burnout in check. ;)

I actually bought on dhgate or aliexpress i cant remember which one but mani kits and they cost me like $0.12 per kit and i bought them in bulk of like 5000 they come with the wooden cuticle pusher a buffer and a file i got them for mobile nail salon but am now switching over to press on nails and gel x nails. I love your video its super helpful

Ohhh is this part 2? Ohhh okay dang I'm dumb..I've watched this like 4 times LMFAOOOOO

Girl thank you so much for this video, 9:05 this is really helping me out figuring out how to start and the cost of supplies. I’ve been struggling in general with how much should I charge. Again Thank youu so much luv for not gatekeeping and even showing us exactly what you get❤

I wish I saw that his first… I bought a lot of stuff over the last 3 months… it was supposed to be a hobby, but I’m too far in ($1500) to be exact, so I decided to start my press on business yay 😮 But I have enough supplies to last 6 months or more, shipping supplies and base and too cost are the only things I need to reorder…. Doing this part time… so I’ll give myself time to make the money back, but I figure if I make at least $30 on each set I only have to sell 60 to make what I spent back, but next time I’ll use your method

I spent the afternoon on your Amazon storefront. With the Una Gella Nail tips, they were all short tips. Short tips of various styles. Do you use short nails? I ask as, I have never seen a single video with short nails. I am assuming, they are client requested... Not video requested.. This is something I keep wondering - What are the shapes, styles, sizes most used, requested by customers? I have no idea what to start with. I dont come from a tip background, I spent my whole career sculpting. If you could give me a start with list and possibly a grow into list, based on your experiences, of course - I would be most grateful. Thank you kindly Cat

Hey Val! Thanks for this video! Can you make a video about business cards, prep instructions, etc. Do u use Canva on Vista Print to make and order them?

Thank you so much for posting this video I appreciate this coz I needed it ❤❤❤

Thank you for creating this video ❤very helpful 😊

Hello I just started watching your videos and they are very helpful! I am a college student and my intention when starting was to sell to people on campus, but I don’t want to close myself off to shipping? Do you think it could still be beneficial to start then later market that I now do shipping? Or start shipping as soon as I start my brand? Last question lol, how long should I practice nails before taking clients? I have a big background and are so that’s why I feel more comfortable starting sooner than later

You didn't include gel paint, rhinestones and art supplies here which maybe in the next video I haven't seen them but those actually are the main investment and they are expensive 😭😭😭 Who knew maintaining nails was such a expensive thing yet I just love doing them 😭😭😭

Don’t Care For Anything!!! PRESS ON😢

This was for packaging stuff so for your next video could you please make video like this on things required for making nails?

Thank you so much i got discouraged at first because I was watching the wrong tutorials! Yours is spot on! don't get me wrong I took something from all of them so my time wasn't completely waisted!

For the tape. I’m guessing you use about 6inch per box as they are 8inch long. So about 100 per roll like most of the other items!!! Hope it helps

Hi there! so you just sell from Instagram? you don't have a website to receive your orders? what do you think about a website?

Make one with nail art costs because new ones don’t know. Or they could watch young nails pricing videos too.

Can you make a video on how you take such clear, bright and crisp photos?❤❤

I’m getting ready to start my press on mail business. The business part is the most challenging, I started my nail career in the early nineties, I started working from home , then went to salons. As the industry changed it became competitive and I got out. I’ve retired and a press on nail business is perfect for me, I have always kept my nails done and kept up with new art and products , but I just worked on myself. I’m ready to put my skill and creativity to work. I’m so glad I found your videos, your nails are absolutely, gorgeous . I appreciate your willingness to help others, that inspires me. This video on calculating your cost was ver helpful. I will be making my list. Can you do a video on how to make a video of the nails and what you need to do that and what that will cost . Also how to get my nails on the best social media platforms. Thanks and keep doing what you do you are great,and I appreciate you. Looking for your next video

I love your nails ❤ 😍 and videos! I work in the medical field and have been thinking about doing a side hustle of press ons thank you ❤

Thank you so much I found this very helpful..

I did it this way first now it’s tax time you need to log it in to and app if you don’t have the bears that spin the gummy’s and if you don’t do nails you need this because it doesn’t require skill I’m a business owner so I have Amazon business the prices are better. I math can be done by software if you have a computer or if you have a website, they do it on their

I bought kds glue before and they all came on hard as rock. No liquid.

do you think you could do a video on where and how to buy supplies that are used for the press on nails such as the gel polish and what not. i've been struggling trying to find affordable gels.

Hey I was wondering if you deal with your gel nails being kind of sticky after curing !?

Can you show why we use matte before applying chrome?

I decided to start selling press-ons but I absolutely don’t know anything about them or even where to start. I am so appreciative & grateful to have found you and u educational videos they are so helpful !!!!! God bless you ❤️

This was very helpful. And simple. I love that your old school using pen and paper. I’m sure you are making this feel attainable for anyone and everyone looking to get into press ons.

These series of videos have been SO helpful! I’m currently a nail tech specializing in nail art and I’ve had several clients asking about press-ons. So I’ve been trying to figure out where to even start and these videos have been SO SO helpful! Thank you so much!

Can you make an updated version of this video?

You’re such an inspiration for my nail business thank you so much 🥰

Can the materials be counted as deductions during tax season?

Can you do a vid on thing you need to create press on nails for beginners and the price

I noticed when you were searching on Amazon, there was a little headline on the bottom of the product search SMALL BUSINESS. Do you have an account on Amazon for Small Businesses? If so, what are the differences between a business account vs personal account?

You got you a loyal subscriber now!!!

Thank you so much for this!!! Super helpful!! I do have one question, would you not recommend getting nail tips from Amazon or is it just a preference thing?

Thank you so much for this. Seriously. I’ve been making press ons for about a year now and I just store them but I’m so afraid to sell them because I just feel like it’s so much work and no one will want to buy my products. I know it takes time but u literally walk me through everything with all your videos and this one especially has given me such a relief because you made it make sense. Your work is amazing and I love your content please keep up with this series it is very much appreciated ❤

Love your videos!! New Sub here❤. You might know by now but here’s a tip(The price per quantity is already written right there in parentheses . Where it says count) !!

Im new here but id love to see your recording setup 😍

Question… is it beneficial to get an llc for a press on business ?

what is the double sided foam tape for?

The regular square nails are medium right?

Listen to me: You are a godsend!!!!!!!!!

Thank you for breaking things down and going through the process. This is the not so fun back office that is necessary for business. I do have a question...I know you stated your shipping is free do you ever insure the nail sets to make sure they can file a claim if they don't receive a set or it is lost in transit? Or does this even happen to you? I would love for episode 3 to be on sizing because it is definitely important to the business or how to handle client issues with shipping or orders or setting up policies and procedures. Either way, I think these are great topics to cover at some point.

How much postage to mail?

I have a question, when you sell press on, do you send/use gelx tips or normal plastic tips are good?

BLESS UPS Val : How about a Video on the Shipping Process, Taxes, Client vs Seller Who pays postage etc. Thanks!;)PEACE

Thank you for this

🌸 Thank You so much !!! 🌸

Nail tech here 🙈🤗 This is a great video with a lot of information! BUT please be careful with the buffers! The grid of the buffer DOES matter. Please do NOT buff your natural nails with less than 180 grid buffers. 100 and lower are very rough and will take layers off your nail plate. You can easily damage your natural nails so please be careful! 🥰 Great video otherwise and very informative!

I love how the math clicked for me at the same time it clicked for you 🤣 thanks for such an informative video! Newer to your content and have been lovingggg it! Your my new favorite binge looll💕

Extremely helpful! This breakdown is eye opening I have always wondered how to go about pricing and how people make it make sense and I actually learned something. Thanks girl ❤

Are we gonna get a Part 3??

You're so incredibly helpful. I am a nurse, and about to retire. With the economy, I am going to need to find a supplement. I have always, always, always, loved nails. I would like to give this a try.

Tips guys!!!! Next to the price it usually gives you how much is it per each one. It says $0.55/count!!!

Even though I’m not in the states, this is great content Val. Exactly how I price my nails. However let’s say a bag of 500 nails cost £14. I actually divide by 25. It’ll now be £0.56 for just the nail tips. This is because some nail tips /sizes run out fasssst. 😅. Like 4,5,6 always finishes quickly. So I price each set as if it was a 20 piece set of nails and not the regular 10 nails like we do for custom nails. There are times 1 client’s nail measurements can have 1,5,4,5,8 I hope this also helps when doing the math to price your nails. Val, when it comes to the gels. How do you go about it in order not to feel cheated. Cos I use base coat, 2 layers of colored gel polishes and top coat. Depending on the order I sometimes use glue for the rhinestones and all of that. Please how do I go about that. Thank you so much 😊 ❤