The story behind Menicure, Toronto’s top spot for men’s nail and skincare

In 2020, Menicure founder Richard Arnold uncovered a gap in Toronto, Canada's beauty market: there were plenty of barbershops for men to choose from, but no dedicated spaces for men’s nail and skin care or hair removal. So he set out to create a place where men would be comfortable indulging in treatments that are typically seen as ‘not for them’, and change Toronto’s view of masculinity.

“We’re here to break down stereotypes and make the world think differently about male grooming.”

From complimentary beers to TVs playing clients’ favourite shows, Richard built Menicure to be a safe space where comfort is never compromised and self-care is celebrated. “We’re here to break down stereotypes and make the world think differently about male grooming,” Richard told us. His team shares the same philosophy, and it shows in their top-quality manicures, pedicures and waxing services. 

And Fresha is helping them do it every step of the way. Richard uses the platform to streamline their operations, take Menicure’s services to as many clients as possible, and grow the business.

“Fresha ticked all the boxes for us, without charging us a monthly subscription.”

Richard tried various other platforms before Fresha, but none were the right fit for Menicure.  They either lacked essential features like tipping and smart scheduling, or they locked features behind costly subscriptions. “Fresha ticked all the boxes for us, without charging us a monthly subscription,” Richard said. 

“We were worried switching software would be a nightmare. But setting up Fresha was really easy – most of it was automated,” he continued. “It’s so user friendly that both our team and clients were using the platform like pros in no time. Not to mention, their customer service is better than all the other providers we’ve tried.”

Keeping clients in the loop with automated marketing

Staying in touch with clients is key for Menicure. Richard uses Fresha’s client notifications to keep clients engaged from the moment they book, and make sure they stay connected to Menicure long after their appointments. 

“It’s so important to check in with clients and keep them engaged with our brand. Fresha lets us do that without lifting a finger.”

“No-shows are one of the biggest risks to our business, and Fresha’s appointment reminders help keep them to a minimum,” Richard explained. “Our clients lead busy lives, so Fresha’s appointment reminders make all the difference.” After each treatment he follows up with Fresha’s automatic “thank you” messages to show clients they’re valued, while encouraging them to leave a tip and review.

Richard also uses Fresha’s automated marketing campaigns to send special offers to welcome new clients, reward regulars, and celebrate clients’ birthdays. “It’s so important to check in with clients and keep them engaged with our brand,” Richard said. “Fresha lets us do that without lifting a finger.”

Taking bookings 24/7 on social media

Menicure uses social media to take their message to the world and showcase their team’s great work. They capture clients’ attention with a prominent “Book Now” button on all their social media platforms, using Fresha’s social media integrations.

Richard knows having a great booking experience is key to keep clients coming back – the easier it is to book, the fuller their calendar, and the less time his team needs to spend managing their schedules. “Our clients can book straight from Instagram, Facebook, and Google Maps – all the apps they use daily,” Richard said. “Booking is so simple, and the team doesn't need to stay on the phone arranging appointments.”

Full visibility of the business, at all times

Fresha’s reports let Richard keep his finger on the pulse, without having to be at the venue every day. On top of the convenience that comes with automated invoicing, inventory tracking and quick cash-ups, Richard uses the valuable data in their reports to confidently make the best decisions for Menicure’s growth.

“With Fresha’s reports I can instantly see exactly how the business is doing, even when I’m working remotely.” 

Richard uses his reports to check sales and tips, as well as figure out which services are most popular. They help him decide what direction to take the business in – from what marketing campaigns and promotions to run, to what training and resources his team may need. “With Fresha’s reports I can instantly see exactly how the business is doing, even when I’m working remotely,” he said.

Looking ahead: more locations and more success for Menicure

Richard is constantly planning for the future, and he knows Fresha will play a central role in Menicure’s success. “We’ve seen how easy it is to add and manage more venues on the platform. Which is great, because we’re already planning to open two more Menicure venues,” he revealed. “With Fresha, it’s more than just a service; they’re our partner. Every feature they create and piece of advice they share helps us take the business where we want it to be.”