Death by Manicure: The Case of the Poison Polish. Dr. Robert T. Spalding Jr.
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that. Athena’s mentality was that she must not be afraid of rejection (a trait that was essential to many businesses) and remembered that she couldn’t get to the moon if she didn’t reach for the stars.
But if anyone considered Athena to be a one-trick pony, they could be assured that her talents were not limited to just manicures. She also offered safe and secure medical pedicures. Offering services that no one else wanted to do might be a dirty job to some. Taking care of sick people’s feet, those of the elderly, or those with fungal or post-surgery needs had become her passion. Serving a person with severe psoriasis made her happier because she knew they really needed the care she could give them. She also understood that these were people no one wanted to touch because they thought they were contagious or just down right disgusting.
Athena’s unique certification was the first real change the industry had seen in over 35 years. Athena had become certified and had received the education to work in a podiatrist’s office right alongside the doctor. Athena was known for taking doctor referrals such as diabetics who needed serious foot care, but with a gentle, knowledgeable approach, was paramount to a diabetic’s health and something that Athena championed. As a sign that it was being taken seriously, schools were now picking up this course and including it in their curriculum, especially with the heath risks associated with pedicures all over the news. Consumers were beginning to catch on and were welcoming, even demanding a new breed of Advanced Nail Technicians.
As Athena sat down amidst the well-meaning applause and pats on the back and shoulders from her competitors, she drew in a deep breath and reflected. It seemed like only moments ago, not hours when she parked her car somewhere outside in the convention center’s huge parking lot.
Her dash from her car quickly turned into a more dignified walk as she regained her composure, she remembered. She flashed her entry pass to one of the security guards. He quickly thumbed through a huge list and made a little mark next to her name to indicate her arrival.
“Thanks, Miss Elliott, you can go right on in. Enjoy the show,” said the guard with a smile as he ushered her past, but not before she slipped one of her business cards into his shirt pocket. If anyone had asked why she had done that, she would have no trouble admitting that it was not strictly for professional reasons. He had captured her attention and she wanted it noted.
She remembered ambling along the red carpet outside and into the building. She had done this before, but it always seemed to get more impressive every year as the stakes got higher and the industry pumped more funds into the show. Although the thrill of attending her first could never be replicated, the excitement of this particular show was with her.
Inside, there was the usual buzz that goes with the biggest beauty show in the United States. Inside it was a hive of activity. There were beautiful models sashaying up and down a long white catwalk at a rate that seemed like one every two seconds. These models weren’t showing off the latest in haute couture, an observer would soon realize, as every so often they would pause to flash their shapely hands with their gloriously long painted nails at the admiring audience.
The acrylic nail competition that followed was very competitive, Nails magazine and every other beauty magazine writer and photographer were scrutinizing this year’s high fashion in nails and highly styled hair of the models. Athena glanced in on the activities for a few moments and then looked around for the booth that she was going to be occupying. Her role was to talk to people, do their nails, and answer any questions they may have concerning her products and her particular techniques. She was also nominated for several awards but she tried not to let the excitement of that interfere with her booth work.
Cameras flashed as photographers captured hundreds of pictures of the models. Some of the male photographers who were new on the scene couldn’t believe they were actually being paid to watch all these stunningly beautiful women. The main stage featured the latest industry fashions and trends and was the show’s home of the top guest artists. With appearances and instruction from industry icons it was the perfect opportunity to learn from the best – names like Paul Mitchell, TIGI, BED HEAD, Tabatha Coffee, Redkin, Matrix. With guest artists of this stature the bar was always set very high, indeed.
It was all very interesting, but Athena’s real interest was in Nail World. Most all the major nail polish companies like Creative Nails, ZOPIE Nail Care, Bright Elegance and Symphony Nail Care, Identity Nail Systems, Hong Kong Glaze, Starz Nailz, Venniccio Spa System and Ez Grow were present and correct. There were also dozens of lesser known and even a few completely unknown companies represented. It was an excellent opportunity to get a foot in the door of the beauty industry.
With an extensive offering in all aspects of the craft, The Pinnacle Show Orlando rolled out courses in electric filing, acrylics, gels, airbrushing, French manicures, embellishments to natural nails, as well as business savvy operation and client management. The International Education segment also featured classes taught in Vietnamese and Spanish. Also presenting were BND, Precision Tips, Lubar Nails, DORLEY Beauty, Vicki Meters, MediNail Learning Center, Le Splat Nail Care, Doug Spoon, Jim McGoogle, Old Nail Systems, Odessia Nail Systems, T and T Nails, Ibiddy, EbyanFlow Nail Systems, Symphony Nails, Medipools, DPM Beauty Business Consultant Group, China Glaziers, ALCN, Bristrio, and many more.
This show was to the cosmetics industry what Oscar night was to the film industry and the glitz and glamour was broadly comparable.
CHAPTER 3
Virtually all businesses that deal with the public to a significant degree have their fair share of horror stories and Athena knew it. The media loved anything sensational that they could splash on the front page, especially if it had a local angle. She remembered reading about the fast-food chain that people had used for years and then someone found a rat’s tail in one of the burgers. And there were others that had captured her attention and made her aware of just how vulnerable the business world was to error and scandal. She had also read about someone being hospitalized with appendicitis and ending up losing a leg due to medical incompetence. Or they experienced pain after an operation and were told that it was normal, only later find out that a medical instrument or surgical sponge had been left inside them. Athena was only too aware that the mere hint of a scandal could ruin a company or damage it for a long time, or in some cases for good, even if the company was acquitted of all charges.
Athena had seen several of her rivals go under, and she realized how difficult it was to rebuild faith once it had been lost. Although some people argued that it served them right, Athena didn’t wish anything bad on anyone; it was simply not in her nature. She had always risen above the bitchiness that was so commonplace in the beauty industry. And she’d met some real bitches in her time but also made some good friends as well.
In February 2006, following a surprise inspection from Texas Department of Licensing and Regulations (TDLR), state investigators found that KE Nails – the salon where Katie Johnson received less than professional and sanitary care – had failed to disinfect its tools and implements. There was no hot water in the salon and no antiseptic or disinfectant to stop the bleeding from cuts. Also, according to investigators, the salon staff didn’t sanitize the whirlpool foot spas that could breed bacteria if not cleaned properly before each customer.
At an inspection sometime after the incident involving Katie Johnson it was discovered that KE Nails still didn’t disinfect implements or have a disinfectant and antiseptic on hand to treat cuts. For these violations, the number and nature of them warranted a large penalty. In June 2006, TDLR proposed a fine of $16,500 and a six-month license suspension for KE Nails. Neither KE Nails owner, nor his attorney would return phone calls or e-mails to News 8 for comment on the pending action, but the owner did tell the news station via e-mail to stop disturbing his business.
In addition to the violations and proposed fine by the state, the family of Katie Johnson also filed a lawsuit against the salon. This case was settled out of court for an undisclosed sum after it was initially filed.
Although he had got his life together some time following his wife’s untimely death, Katie’s husband said he still couldn’t believe his wife was gone, and the cause of her death only added to the agony.
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