Dawn Marie Bassett - August Featured Member
Dawn Marie Bassett is a manicurist. She’s been at it for 22 years. She came to the work because after getting her nails done regularly, she thought, “This is fun.” She’s never looked back and has been passionate about the work ever since. That passion has carried her in different directions, but they all involved the business of taking care of people’s nails.
Dawn Marie was on the road for five years, working as an educator in the business, traveling around the country for a nail gel manufacturing company. She would go to beauty shows once a month in major cities around the country – New York, San Francisco, Chicago – demonstrating and selling the product line. She would demonstrate to students or those already in the industry, always enthusiastic about what she was doing. When she tired of traveling, she started her own business.
That’s when the idea for a book occurred to her. It was her answer to her many encounters with manicurists complaining about not staying busy. Dawn Marie’s appointment book was always full. Was there a secret to share? Dawn Marie thought, yes, and wrote How to Build a Clientele and Keep It. If you’re interested, you can find it on Amazon.
So where is Dawn Marie now? She’s doing nails at Posh Salon and Spa in Reno. And she’s also pursuing another passion – networking. She’s a member of the Sierra Reno Chapter and considers it a necessity of doing business. It’s her resource for reaching out to the community and to find qualified people to work with when she has a need. A fellow member creates her business cards and brochures; her chiropractor belongs to the group; she gets her car washed regularly by a member – it’s all part of building a business community.
Dawn Marie says, “It’s easy to refer [the people] from my BNI group. They always make me look good. If someone asks me, ‘Who’s your plumber, I have a card.’” She also is surprised that more manicurists don’t belong to a BNI group. “I make my dues for the year within two weeks,” she says.
What’s her secret? “Treat everybody how you want yourself to be treated. Be on time; have integrity about your work.” And network – yes, she is a fan. She’s an educator, a networker extraordinaire, a successful businesswoman, a writer and a manicurist – all come first, and she has the energy to pull it off.
Want to find out more about BNI? Visit Dawn Marie at the Sierra Reno Chapter, 7:00 am on Wednesdays at the Super 8 Motel on South Virginia. You can also call the Chapter President, Lance Bohlman, 775-829-9355, visit the BNI Northern Nevada website or call the Executive Director, Willeta Christensen, 775-847-7260. Her advice is, first, join, and second, visit all the BNIs in your area and join the one you feel comfortable in.
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