Award-winning nail pro launches course to support aspiring business owners
By Rebecca Hitchon | 20 May 2026 | News & Events
Michelle Brown, Scratch Stars Home Nail Salon of the Year 2025 winner & finalist in the category for 2026, has unveiled the Retail Escape Route course.
Understanding that building a business is an experience that can be dominated by self-doubt, the pro has taken action to empower aspiring entrepreneurs. Her journey to establishing Southend-on-Sea salon, Chell’s Beauty by the Sea, and conversations with nail techs have inspired her to launch a course to grow confidence.
“I have met so many talented professionals who are capable of building successful businesses, but they are held back by self-doubt and uncertainty about where to start,” she tells Scratch. “The course was born from a desire to support those in that early stage, so they can begin building something of their own.”
Michelle launched Chell’s Beauty by the Sea on a part-time basis, and saw clients around her full-time job. “After many years in employment, where everything is structured and decisions are made for you, the thought of creating something that was mine felt exciting, albeit slightly daunting,” she shares. “So, whenever I had time, I was building my beauty business.
“It was hard work in the beginning, trying to figure out how to position myself, get noticed and attract clients, but as the business grew, so did my self-belief,” she continues. “I had fallen in love with the nail industry, and there came a point when trying to balance full-time employment and tekking no longer felt realistic. It was a scary move to dedicate myself fully to my salon business, but it felt right.”
Inside look: Retail Escape Route
Michelle is on a mission to empower wannabe sole traders via her course, Retail Escape Route. “The biggest barrier to starting a business isn’t skill; it’s belief,” she shares. “I want to help as many people as possible move from doubt to backing themselves as business owners.”
Inspired by Michelle’s own experiences as a retail manager for over 20 years, the course is particularly suited to ‘anyone who’s spent years in retail, feels ready for more, and wants to start their own business without having to quit their job first’.
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It focuses on three key stages: belief, clarity and action. “The belief section explores common blocks to starting a business, and introduces practical tools to reframe them,” Michelle explains. “The second part of the course, clarity, ensures the path you are considering aligns with the lifestyle desired. Finally, the action section is where everything comes together. It helps pros build realistic plans and break them down into manageable steps.”
Retail Escape Route is self-paced and features videos supported by guided workbooks. Pros receive lifetime access for £79. The course resources comprise Michelle’s step-by-step framework for success, a collection of over 200 beginner-friendly business ideas, plus The Self Discovery Guide to help people understand what’s been holding them back.
“In many ways, the process of putting the course together reflected its focuses,” Michelle details. “I had never created anything like it before, so it naturally caused some self-doubt, but Retail Escape Route is about stepping into something new. Once I focused on the bigger picture, the experience became enjoyable. It gave me an opportunity to reflect on my journey and share what I’ve learned in practical ways.
“Ultimately, it reinforced the idea that growth comes from taking action,” Michelle concludes. “I want to keep growing personally, as well as helping other nail professionals grow. If more people feel confident in their abilities, their work – and the the industry – can shine.”
Access the Retail Escape Route course by clicking here.
Follow Michelle on Instagram: @chellsbeautybythesea & @1_michellebrown
