Hull home nail salon owner: How I prioritise the mental health of clients
Lucy Allman, owner of The Nail Shed, shares about the supportive ethos of her East Yorkshire garden salon… In 2021, Lucy Allman was made redundant and welcomed a second child. It was this change in lifestyle and need for flexibility that inspired her to carve a career in the nail…
Pet-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…
Family affair: Meet 3 sets of siblings finding success in the nail industry
Scratch puts the spotlight on brothers and sisters working together in the nail industry… Glitterbels While Annabel Maginnis will likely come to mind when you hear the word ‘Glitterbels’, there is a trio of siblings involved in the brand: Annabel’s husband, Elliott, and his brothers, Mac and Alex. It was…
Soho’s ‘hidden gem’: The underground spa delivering high-quality nail & beauty services
Spa manager, Charlotte Bull, tells all about Soholistic Spa at Ham Yard Hotel, London: an underground, luxury beauty space. Once a derelict space, the site of Ham Yard Hotel in the heart of dynamic Soho was transformed by the Firmdale Hotels group in 2014. Situated next to Piccadilly Circus and…
Leeds 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…
Home 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,…
Self-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.…
Greater Manchester nail tech: Why I closed a bustling salon to open a home-based business
Nina of Wigan home salon, Nina Nicholson Beauty & Lecenté lead educator, shares why a huge career switch was the best decision she ever made… Nina Nicholson opened her first salon at the age of 18, and went on to acquire a larger premises a few years later. After building…
Staffordshire tech: Working from a home salon has been the best decision I’ve made
Katie Pritchard of Katie Lou Nail Artist and Educator opens her salon’s doors to Scratch and shares the benefits of becoming a home-based tech. Having been in the nail industry for 20 years, Katie has experimented with a variety of ways of working. She says: “I have worked as a…
Yorkshire salon: The beauty therapists dedicated to making women feel their best
Lisa-Marie Hoggard, owner of Lisa-Marie’s Hair & Beauty Lounge, shares how her all-female team empowers clients to feel their best. “My salon team consists of amazing women who make other women feel amazing,” shares Lisa-Marie. “It comprises five women: Sheree Kim Harrison, Elle Burrow, Kath Scaife, Jill Ralph and Patricia…
Manchester tech: I run my nail business from a shipping container
Laura Kelly, owner of House of Beauty Manchester, shares what it’s like to run her nail business from a shipping container. “I work from a shipping container yard in Ancoats, on the edge of Manchester city centre. It’s a really special place full of creatives, with a lovely community feel,”…
Lancashire tech: The local council didn’t recognise my nail & beauty salon as a valid business
Owner of The Nail & Beauty Lounge, Julie McCabe, shares the challenges she faced when trying to set up her business, as well as its growth and success… Julie McCabe was excited to open her salon after finding the perfect space. She details: “It is a former hair salon in…
Nail & beauty apprenticeships: salons share benefits, their experiences & advice
In a February 2025 poll on Scratch’s Instagram, almost 80% of respondents shared that they’re considering taking on apprentices. Here, two UK salons share how they’ve reaped the rewards of the apprenticeship process… Nailspa, West Yorkshire “As a business owner, I believe that when it comes to employees, you cannot…
Ashford beauty salon: how exceptional customer service creates relaxing client experiences
Sarah Webb, owner of Bella’s Little Nail Boutique, takes pride in her standout beauty services, which place an emphasis on the client experience. Working in customer service for over 20 years, Sarah knows how to offer clients an exceptional appointment. She explains: “My clients receive a coffee and biscuits, and…
Get inspired: Nail pro, Lucy Price-Marshall, shares her journey to dominating the nail industry
Natural nail specialist, OPI educator, salon manager & multi-award winner, Lucy Price-Marshall, shares her career story and how she balances various industry roles… Tell us about your journey into the nail industry… While I was at school, I worked at my mum’s nail salon, Nailspa in Huddersfield, on Saturdays, assisting…
