Business
How to manage maternity leave as a self-employed nail tech
Session nail stylist, salon owner & educator, Marie-Louise Coster, shares how she juggled her business and becoming a mum… A question I get asked a lot, as a working mum, is how I managed my maternity leave and return to work once my daughter arrived. Being self-employed has many benefits, but not so much when it…
Read More3 tips to avoid non-paying nail clients
Nail mentor, Hannah Clayton, offers up advice for business owners dealing with clients not paying for treatments. It happens more than nail techs like to admit: the famous words, ‘I’ll transfer it later‘, or a client standing up, grabbing their coat and walking out while you’re still tidying your nail desk. Then, you’re left chasing money…
Read MoreHow to capitalise on Valentine’s & Galentine’s Day in the nail salon
Experts shares tips for effectively promoting your nail offerings this Valentine’s and Galentine’s Day… Sara Pinto, Andreia Professional nail product director, says… “The lead-up to 14 February presents an opportunity for nail techs to boost business, by encouraging clients to treat themselves or loved ones to pampering experiences and retail items. The event also allows…
Read MoreSelf Assessment guide: HMRC advice for self-employed & sole traders
Ahead of the Self Assessment deadline of 31 January, HMRC deputy director for Self Assessment, Jashoda Pindoria MBE, answers frequently asked questions… Whether you’re a new business owner, have invested in a rental property, started a side hustle or sold assets between 6 April 2024 and 5 April 2025, chances are you’ll have to pay…
Read MoreBlack Friday 2025 strategies for beauty salons: tips to engage clients
Sam Kendall, CEO at salon software company, SalonIQ, shares how beauty businesses can reap rewards this Black Friday… Black Friday has become a fixture in the calendars of shoppers across the globe, and it’s not just big business for retailers – the hair and beauty world is getting involved too. According to market intelligence specialist,…
Read MoreBeauty business guide: reflecting on 2025 & setting goals for 2026
Scratch columnist & beauty business and mindset coach, Zaara King, offers tips for success as we reach the end of the year… Don’t burn yourself out just because you’ve seen social media posts asking ‘what do you have to show for 2025?’. Although the intention to recognise your highlights from the past 12 months is good, it…
Read MoreNail tech communities: 4 online groups for networking & growth
Are you seeking support from fellow nail techs? Do you want easy access to creative and business inspiration? Do you have questions but don’t know who to ask? The answer might lie in joining a nail networking group. Here’s four to explore… The Nail Tech Org The Nail Tech Org is ‘home to nail techs…
Read MoreHow to handle client illness & cancellations in your nail business
Nail business mentor, Hannah Clayton, talks colds, coughs and cancellations… It’s that time of the year when clients get the sniffles and cancel their appointments, leaving your diary looking quiet and you panicking. It’s been happening left, right and centre for me this month! Coughs, colds, kids off school and that ‘I’m just not feeling great‘…
Read MoreChristmas marketing: a guide for nail salons to boost business
Session nail stylist, salon owner & educator, Marie-Louise Coster, offers up top tips for the festive season… Now is the time to look ahead to Christmas and consider how you will maximise your marketing to make profit. The first thing you need to do is review last Christmas: what worked and what didn’t? What were your…
Read MoreThe online nail membership for pros who ‘want to know everything’
Rebecca Orme is an award-winning nail tech, educator & competition judge, with 24 years’ experience in the industry. She talks Scratch through her most recent venture: a 12-month membership course ‘for qualified nail techs with a thirst to know everything’. Rebecca recently noticed a pattern in the nail industry. “I realised that there’s a significant…
Read MoreNail pros, here’s why opening your Christmas diary too early can cost you
Nail business mentor, Hannah Clayton, shares lessons learned from Christmas diary chaos… Every year, as the summer sun is still shining, clients start asking the same thing: ‘When are you opening your Christmas diary?‘ For years, I used to cave at the pressure of releasing appointments, thinking I was clever. In fact, each year I…
Read MoreInside the nailcare oasis in the centre of Huddersfield
Meet Rebecca, ‘toe wizard’ & owner of Cutiecles – a salon sanctuary that prides itself on comfort, care and calm. Recently refurbed, Cutiecles Nail Salon is a passion project for the nail technician, who boasts 10 years’ experience in the industry. After returning to work from maternity leave, Rebecca (and her baby) spent a lot…
Read MoreDo AI chatbots like ChatGPT have a place in the nail industry?
Disclaimer: this article is not written by a robot. But it does explore how language processing tools driven by artificial intelligence (AI) technology, or ‘chatbots’, are influencing the nail and beauty sector. As this technology integrates into our lives, many are wary of its place in society – and its potential. ‘Will robots take over?’…
Read MoreHow to elevate your beauty business by seeing it through clients’ eyes
Session nail stylist, salon owner & educator, Marie-Louise Coster, discusses the importance of understanding clients’ perspective… When was the last time you walked through your business as if you were an existing or new client? We all need to walk through our businesses, whether physically or virtually, on a regular basis and see them through clients’…
Read MoreThis Victorian-style Doncaster beauty salon is designed to feel like home
Salon owner, Khristie Lawton, shares how she crafted a home-away-from-home oasis just outside the hustle and bustle of Doncaster city centre. Relaxing, welcoming, and safe are three words that inspired the design of Khristie Lawton’s Victorian-style salon. Defining her parents’ living room as the muse for the space, Khristie explains that Kiki Yorkshire fuses cosiness…
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