A/V: NARRATOR (VO): Manicurists clip, cut, shape, polish, and paint the fingernails and toenails of their customers. But that's only the visible work. Manicurists are really in the self-esteem-building business. After all, when your nails look good, and your hair looks good, you feel good about yourself. The job appears quite simple, but as any successful manicurist will confirm, there is much more to it than clipping, shaping, and polishing a customer's nails. First, there are the people skills. Having "your nails done" is always a social experience. So having a pleasant personality and being able to take a genuine interest in a client's life can be very important in building a list of regular customers. Second, there is the matter of creativity. Customers depend on their manicurists to help them look their best. That means being able to determine a person's current needs and suggesting nail extensions, colors of polish, appliques, or whatever else may be appropriate. Like the barbers and cosmetologists in whose shops they often work, manicurists must be licensed in most states. It may also be necessary to complete a course at a licensed beauty school. But once you have the training and appropriate credentials as a manicurist, you can work almost anywhere!