The success story of Belinda Price: award-winning nail educator, salon owner & industry advocate

Scratch reflects on the award-winning work of esteemed educator & business owner, Belinda Price…

With a career spanning more than three decades, Belinda Price stands as a true pillar of the nail industry: a valued educator, mentor, salon owner, innovator and advocate for all. Her recognition with the prestigious Scratch Stars Services to the Nail Industry award in July is a well-deserved tribute to her unwavering commitment to uplifting others, pushing boundaries and nurturing talent at every level.

Her influence touches everything: from grassroots education to elite competition coaching. Recent highlights include support for The King’s Trust, a 2024 Scratch Stars Award for her salon – Nailspa in Huddersfield, and her ongoing championing of inclusivity, safety and professional excellence.

The Scratch Stars Services to the Nail Industry award was bestowed as Belinda stepped down as OPI’s UK&I education & capability manager. However, on deeper investigation, this career move is not an industry exit, but a twist in her nail story.

Belinda relays: “Stepping back has given me the space to reconnect with salon clients and the Nailspa team. I now work one day per week and am loving being hands-on again. I’ve also started blogging: something I never quite had the freedom to do before, and it’s been a refreshing outlet.

“I’ve already begun consultancy work for some nail brands and plan to do more, alongside continuing to offer education,” Belinda continues. “This will include class dates and one-to-one sessions. There are a few business ventures beginning to take shape behind the scenes, and I’ll also be supporting techs with competition coaching and awards mentoring.”

Journey into nails

Belinda, a creative teenager, would experiment with nail art using a cocktail stick and nail lacquer. However, it wasn’t until one of her early jobs that fate truly intervened. “I met a nail technician, and back then, they were like unicorns,” Belinda laughs. “Once she started doing my nails, I wasn’t just fascinated – I was hooked!”

The talented pro joined OPI as a freelance educator between 2006 and 2010. After a break, she returned in 2017 and remained with the brand until 2025, steadily rising to the position of education & capability manager for the UK & Ireland. “Not only do I love educating, but I enjoy leading a great team and was fortunate to do both and learn a lot while working with OPI,” she shares.

When quizzed on her most memorable career moments, Belinda explains: “I’m proud of the teams I have been part of and the success of my students. Every time one of them wins a trophy or achieves a goal, I cheer loudly from the sidelines. Watching their careers soar is extremely exciting and rewarding. Of course, as a mother and mentor, it’s always special to watch my daughters and the salon be recognised.”

When it comes to the recipe for educator success, Belinda comments: “A friend of mine says, ‘You have two ears and one mouth for a reason, so listen twice as hard as you speak’. When we sit at the nail desk performing consultations, we listen to our client to understand their expectations and what they seek from us. A student deserves the same.”

The power of lifelong learning

Belinda’s devotion to education has never wavered. While working as education & capability manager at OPI UK&I, she thrived in a role that allowed her to blend leadership with hands-on impact. She was responsible for the design and delivery of education programmes, managing a large team of educators, onboarding full-time and freelance talent and coordinating training initiatives, like Train the Trainer.

“I really enjoyed the lightbulb moments and watching the educators grow and succeed,” Belinda notes. “There are nail pros I’ve known, competed with, worked alongside and trained for over 20 years. Catching up with them to hear how things I’ve taught them are still relevant, and have positively affected their businesses and lives, is what education is all about.”

Belinda believes that access to learning should be built into the business model for any brand serious about supporting nail professionals. “Education is key to everyone’s success and continual learning is something we should never close our eyes to,” she shares. “I believe in free education over product discounts every time. If you want someone to buy your product, educate them.”

Industry influence

“I was deeply honoured to be presented with the Scratch Stars Services to the Nail Industry award at The Scratch Stars Party in July,” Belinda shares. “I’ve always tried to do my job well, stay committed and help where I can, but the messages I’ve received since the win have helped me realise I’ve gone above and beyond for many people – and that means a lot.”

Her influence is undeniable, not just through decades of education and leadership, but through the quiet, consistent example she sets. “When I saw where the industry was heading a few years ago, I knew I had to take a stand,” Belinda reveals. “There were so many new techs coming through with limited training and no continued development. I wanted to change that.”

As for what comes next, her sights are set on a balance of family and meaningful work. “Heading into 2026, I want my family to be healthy and ready for a mix of fun, business and time together,” she shares. Still, her passion for education shows no sign of slowing. “I’m not quite at the stage of planning my ‘final’ masterclass,” she says. “However, I’d love to deliver something innovative that gets the industry buzzing.”

Read Scratch‘s full feature on Belinda in our September 2025 issue by clicking here.

Follow Belinda on Instagram: @_belindaprice