Covid career changes: Retraining as a nail tech after losing my job

Samantha Haste’s life was turned upside down when the pandemic hit and she lost her job, shortly after moving to a new city. Unable to pay her bills and rent, she decided to head down the path of training as a nail tech with Beauty Tribe. 

“I was working as a Business Development Manager in bars & restaurants, and moved cities from Ipswich to St Albans for a new job. My contract was then revoked after they were unable to pay my salary. Since I had already moved cities, this left me jobless during the pandemic unable to pay my bills and rent, so I started to look at what other career paths I could take. I used to love the thought of doing nails for a career as a teenager and so I began pursuing it and now here I am!”

“When I was younger I used to beg my Mum to take me to get my nails done, and I would sit in awe watching the technician, wishing I could do her job one day. I gave up around the age of 14 as I thought I couldn’t see myself being as good as other people, but now I’m pursuing it and it’s going great, I wish I never stopped!”

“The community of nail technicians is just lovely, from people in my old town helping me out any way they can; to my previous nail technician giving me tips and tricks! Also, the constant Reels and IGTV’s and Lives that Nail Techs have been doing during lockdown are just amazing.”

“Learning the Prep work has been tough, as I only have myself to practise on currently, it’s easier than it looks as I can feel every scratch and cut I’m about to make, whereas I am aware my clients will not be able to give me the signals. I wish I could train on real people for this!”

Samantha hopes to build up her client base from home before hoping to open a salon. Follow her on Instagram here