Salon in the Spotlight: The Nail Shed, Manchester
In 2007, Sarra Birrell set up her salon in Cheshire, establishing a thriving nail and beauty business. However, lockdown had a negative impact on her business. “I took the very difficult decision to close after 14 years. As sad as it was, there was a silver lining – I had…
Salon in the Spotlight: The Painted Nail, Dorset
Toni Rodway started her nail career in 2003 after offering to be a model for a friend doing a local nail course. She then attended the course herself, convinced the salon owner to take her on as an apprentice and eventually took over managing the salon. “I decided to move…
Salon in the Spotlight: Nails by Jess Hales, Bures, Essex
In June 2021, Jessica Hales set up her beauty room within a salon in a village in Essex, giving up her full-time job as a beauty therapist to pursue her own business alone. “A lot of people questioned my choice of starting my own business during the pandemic, but for…
Salon in the Spotlight: Bennett Beauty, Reading
Stacey Bennett has been a nail technician and beauty therapist since 2006, working in several different salons and spas throughout her time in the industry. “I decided to venture out on my own finally after all the years I’ve been doing nails. I’m extremely lucky that I have a loyal…
Salon in the Spotlight: Mils Does Nails, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire
Prior to April 2021, Millie Hegarty was doing nails from her home on a part-time. “I decided to begin working full time on a self employed basis. I started renting a room in a salon which was lovely, but I always knew I wanted to have my own premises, I…
Salon in the Spotlight: Base Beauty, Stafford
Kate Meara quit her full-time job in a call centre in 2016 to take the plunge into the nail industry. “To be self employed with a few friends and family clients was terrifying at first. However, hard work and a love for the industry helped me to find my feet.…
Salon in the Spotlight: Beautify Salon and Training Academy, Broadstairs, Kent
Dionne Lock’s journey began in March 2017, when she started her beauty training. “When I qualified, I was mobile to start with, then in September 2017, I opened my first beauty salon in the village that I live in. In 2019, I moved my salon to my home because the…
Salon in the Spotlight: Lauren’s Nail Co., Broughton, Northamptonshire
Lauren Jackson took evening courses for a year at college, qualifying as a nail technician in 2012. “I began my career on a mobile basis, at first offering spray tans and nail appointments, before renting a room above a hairdressers in my village,” she recalls. “I finally decided to go…
Salon in the Spotlight: GLOSS, Isle of Man
Jemma King and Rebekah Lockett are two sisters who decided to open up their own nail salon. “We opened our salon in our town centre of Douglas. We both nail technicians who have always dreamed of one day having our very own salon and finally, our dreams have come true,…
Salon in the Spotlight: Tara Nails & Beauty, Brantham, Suffolk
Tara Smith decided to embark on her journey into the nail industry following the birth of her third child. “When I qualified and started out within the industry, it wasn’t easy. I was faced with a lot of negativity and wasn’t sure of where to look for help and support.…
Salon in the Spotlight: Wildflower Hair & Beauty Studio, Cheadle, Staffordshire
Holly Duckers opened Wildflower Hair and Beauty Studio in a renovated convenience shop in September 2019. “At the time of opening we were a team of four, two hairdressers, one nail technician and one lash and brow technician. Within a month of opening, I had taken on the first salon…
My visit to the Milton Keynes branch of award-winning nail salon, Townhouse
Scratch Stars Nail Salon of the Year 20/21, Townhouse, has opened a branch in the heart of Milton Keynes. Admired by beauty pros and celebrities alike, the luxury nailcare business is renowned for mastering classic, minimalist manicures and elegant, stylish nail art looks. The flagship branch in Fitzrovia was launched…
Salon in the Spotlight: Cutie Patootie Nails, Fife, Scotland
Claire Watters began her nail journey in 2017, after training in Glasgow. “I finally plucked up the courage to leave my job at Asda and started to take on clients at their home. After doing it mobile for a short time I decided to set up a room at home,…
Salon in the Spotlight: CandyMani’s Nails & Beauty, Suffolk
Candice Muddeman began Candymani’s in 2015, working out of her dining room at home, offering gel polish to family and friends. “Last year in lockdown, we started work on a separate nail and beauty studio at the back of our house. We were lucky to have such a generous space,…
Salon in the Spotlight: Kelly’s Beauty Box, Crawley, West Sussex
Established in 2016 by Kelly Crawley, Kelly’s Beauty Box outgrew its roots as a home salon and expanded into a new premises in May 2021. “Opening our new premises has been very exciting for us. Our aim is to provide the most relaxing and friendly service to all our clients…
