Business
Powys nail salon: where rustic charm meets luxury beauty treatments
Jodie Evans, owner of Wales salon, Nail Envy, speaks to Scratch about the journey of building her thriving nail business. “Nail Envy is designed to feel like a luxurious home-from-home, combining rustic charm with modern elegance,” says Jodie. “The interior features brickwork, warm wood tones and plush velvet chairs – creating a welcoming and stylish…
Read MoreI invited my salon team to create nails for Cannes Film Festival
The Nail & Beauty Lounge owner, Julie McCabe, takes us behind the scenes of her Cannes Film Festival experience, where she and her salon team delivered manicures and pedicures. The team at Poulton-le-Fylde-based salon, The Nail & Beauty Lounge, were called upon by owner, Julie McCabe, to provide the manicures and pedicures for the models of…
Read MoreSocial media nail expert: batch creating content is the best decision I’ve made
Scratch Stars Social Media Star of the Year finalist 2024 and 2025, Hannah Clayton, shares how batch creating content has changed her life… Social media is a job in itself. As a nail artist, mentor and content creator, I’ve often found myself scrambling in the morning to think of something to post, edit a caption…
Read MoreNail techs, here’s how to diversify your skills to reap rewards
Scratch columnist & beauty business and mindset coach, Zaara King, shares advice for taking your next career step… Do you want to change your role or take a leap in a new direction? Many beauty professionals have been asking me how they can diversify their careers. I teach people to leverage their skills and time, because face-to-face…
Read MoreHaving a niche as a nail tech: is it important?
Whether your skills focus is natural nailcare, premium pedis or portrait painting, Scratch investigates the importance of identifying and capitalising on your expertise… What is a niche? ‘Niche’ is a business term used to describe a focused approach to offering goods and services, and tailoring them to a specific consumer group, rather than a broad…
Read MoreThe nail techs who went from online friends to podcast hosts
Nail techs, Rachel Coast and Evie Glows, started out as online friends within a nail tech community, and have since launched their podcast, The Nail Files. Describing the podcast as ‘relatable, uplifting and a way to facilitate connection’, the duo is passionate about entertaining nail techs with relatable and humorous content. The pair spoke to…
Read MoreBurnt out to booked up: how funding changed my life & can benefit your nail business
Sarah Abel, funded growth strategist & founder of TNB Skills Training, shares how funding helped her find success – and can do the same for you… Fifteen years ago, I was drowning in £50,000 of debt. I had maxed out credit cards, just left a job with a company car and salary, and bought a…
Read More3 steps to increase your beauty treatment prices without guilt
Beauty business mentor, Stevey Powell, shares how she teaches pros to confidently increase their service prices in three steps… The thought of raising your prices can feel overwhelming and downright scary. You can feel guilty and worried about losing clients. But here’s the secret: it’s all about how you frame it. You don’t have to…
Read MorePet-friendly salons: key benefits & important considerations
Have you ever considered making your salon pet-friendly? A spokesperson for luxury nail salon, Paint Nails London, shares the advantages and what you need to consider. Why did you decide to become a pet-friendly salon? We decided to become a pet-friendly salon because so many of our clients are animal lovers and their pets are…
Read MoreMaster ‘nailfies’ as a nail tech with these expert photography tips
The ultimate guide to everything you need to know as a nail tech who wants to capture high-quality nail photos… First impressions matter. Blurry, dark or low-resolution photos can make it difficult for social media users to properly appreciate your nail creations, which could impact whether they decide to book an appointment. So, it’s crucial…
Read MoreThe mum juggle: how I’ve managed motherhood & a successful beauty business
Session nail stylist, salon owner & educator, Marie-Louise Coster, opens up about her experiences juggling parenthood and her beauty salon… I am not sure there is ever a right time to start a family. I was quite late to the table when it came to being a mum. Having tried for many years to no avail,…
Read MoreLeeds salon owner: Learning to trust my team & delegate has been a game-changer
You Beauty founder, Rachel Dobson, shares her career story and how learning to delegate tasks has been critical to her success as a manager. Over the past five years, Rachel’s business has rapidly expanded and she reflects on the biggest lesson she has learned: “I tried to do everything myself in the beginning, and I’ve…
Read MoreHome nail & beauty salons: how to maintain positive neighbour relations & resolve conflict
Scratch Stars Home Nail Salon of the Year finalists for 2024 offer advice for how home business owners can keep the peace with neighbours and resolve potential conflicts… Kirsty Brown, owner of Paintbrush Nails, Stirling – Scratch Stars Home Nail Salon of the Year 2024 “When opening a home salon, it’s good practice to inform…
Read MoreSelf-employment help for nail techs: marketing advice & networking tips
Here’s how to gain the attention of clients by building a buzz around your business… Once you have registered your business, considered tax requirements and made decisions regarding legal, financial and operational considerations, as well as safety and interior design choices, it’s time to build your clientele through effective marketing techniques. “Everything you do as a…
Read MoreBreak the glass ceiling: how to attract premium beauty clients & grow your business
Beauty business mentor & award-winning entrepreneur, Stevey Powell, shares advice for if you’re experiencing the ‘glass ceiling’ effect… We start our beauty businesses with a passion for what we do and over time, build a loyal client base and keep our calendars booked. But for some of us, there comes a point when we hit…
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