Nail pro with products

Nail techs, here’s how to diversify your skills to reap rewards

By Guest Writer | 26 May 2025

Scratch columnist & beauty business and mindset coach, Zaara King, shares advice for taking your next career step… Do you want to change your role or take a leap in a new direction? Many beauty professionals have been asking me how they can diversify their careers. I teach people to leverage their…

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Nail salon team

Hair & beauty pros, determine employment status for tax with this HMRC guidance

By Rebecca Hitchon | 13 May 2025

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has published guidance to help UK hair and beauty professionals determine their employment status for tax purposes. Designed to particularly support workers renting a chair or space within a salon, the guidance compiles easy-to-follow information about common hair and beauty working practices and how they…

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Spring Statement 2025: Key takeaways for beauty industry workers

By Scratch Staff | 26 March 2025

Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, today (26 March) delivered her Spring Statement: an update on the UK economy since the formal Budget in October 2024, and its forecasted performance. Focuses were on defence, taxes and governmental efficiency, with no measures announced that will hugely impact the beauty sector. However,…

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Phone Digital Tools

3 must-have digital tools for beauty pros, according to a business & marketing expert

By Guest Writer | 15 February 2025

Beauty business and marketing mentor, Stephanie Barnard, aka Beauty Business Bestie, shares her digital tool recommendations… Whether you’re a solo worker or managing a team, staying organised can feel like a full-time job. Running a beauty business can get messy, and without systems in place, you might find yourself forgetting…

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Shifting Mindset

Shifting your mindset for success: 4 tips from a beauty business coach

By Guest Writer | 14 February 2025

Scratch columnist & beauty business and mindset coach, Zaara King, shares advice for transforming your mental outlook… When I ask beauty business owners what changed for them when they found new levels of success, they say their mindset – and the same is true for me. You may be working…

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Zaara King 4 Figure Focus Beauty Membership

‘Four figure focus’ method seeks to help beauty pros boost earnings

By Helena Biggs | 22 January 2025

Beauty business and mindset coach, Zaara King, shares details of ‘The Four Figure Focus’, a membership programme to help beauty business owners earn four figures a week, while working part-time hours. “Ideal for professionals with visions of freedom, efficiency and creativity, the programme offers its members tailored support, plus community…

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Return on investment: what it means & how to calculate it

By Guest Writer | 26 November 2024

Global business & beauty education expert, Kim Ford, explains what a return on investment means for your nail business, and how to calculate it. You may ask: what is a return on investment, or ROI? As an example, imagine you purchased a pedicure chair costing £1,000. How many clients have…

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Cost cutting canva

5 ways your nail & beauty business can save money

By Katie Barnes | 7 November 2024

We are all feeling the pinch, so check out money-saving solutions for your nail and beauty business… 1. Be economical with your products Let’s use a nail file as an example. When you consider how much of a nail file you use in each service, it is rare that you…

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Beauty Hunt Finances

A financial guide & checklist for nail & beauty pros

By Guest Writer | 6 November 2024

Vorke Kalusi, founder of beauty business resource, Beauty Hunt UK, serves up financial insight… Understanding finance terms Revenue: The money you make from your services. Expenses: The costs of running your business, such as supplies, rent and utilities. Profit: The money left after paying your expenses. Profit = revenue –…

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Autumn Budget 2024: 5 measures that will impact nail & beauty pros

By Scratch Staff | 30 October 2024

In the Labour Party’s first Budget Statement for 14 years, Rachel Reeves – the first female Chancellor of the Exchequer – presented the Autumn Budget to parliament today (30 October). With a focus on economic stability and investment, the Budget saw taxes rise by £40 billion and many measures were…

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Nail Tech At Desk Red Hair Gloves

You’re more than a price tag: how to shine in the crowded nail industry

By Jo Tompkins | 22 October 2024

When you’re a solo nail tech, it’s so easy to feel pressure every time you see another nail tech promoting their services online. You find yourself questioning your prices, wondering if you should lower them, or doubting whether you can keep up. With every tech that launches a business, a…

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Townhouse Kate Somerville 2024

Townhouse nail salon brand unveils partnership with skincare icon

By Helena Biggs | 16 October 2024

Multi award-winning nail salon brand, Townhouse, has partnered with Kate Somerville skincare to offer limited edition treatments from its Beverly Hills salon. The collaboration is the first in the US for Townhouse, which has secured three Scratch Stars Awards and boasts over 40 salon locations. Renowned for its nailcare treatments,…

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Nails.inc Expansion Cover Pic 2024

UK brand, Nails.INC, announces acquisition & sets sights on North America expansion

By Helena Biggs | 15 October 2024

London-based nail brand, Nails.INC, has announced its acquisition by Pacific World Corporation, with a goal to solidify its presence in the North American market. Pacific World Corporation is owned by Prospect Capital, a private equity firm based in New York. Renowned for scaling consumer brands, the strategic partnership aims to…

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High Street Nail Salon

Britain’s high street shake-up: Nail, beauty & hair salons double in number in 15 years

By Helena Biggs | 17 June 2024

Beauty salons, hairdressers and takeaways have surged in number on Britain’s high streets in the past 15 years, replacing banks and clothes shops. A report by policy and research consultancy, Public First, analysed official datasets, which included details of VAT-registered businesses in the UK. This analysis found that hairdressers and…

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Happy Clients Pedicure Nail Salon

Beauty pros: Here’s how to communicate well with your clients & retain them

By Michelle Brookes | 25 May 2024

Mastering the art of effective communication with your clients is essential for retaining their loyalty. You can build strong relationships with clients by actively listening to their needs, feedback, addressing any concerns promptly and providing an exceptional customer service. This ensures that they feel valued and understood.  Within my salon,…

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