Important April dates for your nail & beauty business marketing

By Lilly Delmage | 26 March 2025

Get your business’ marketing content prepared for the month of April, with our roundup of dates to note… 1st–30th: National Pet Month April is dedicated to celebrating and raising awareness of responsible pet ownership. Do your part in spreading awareness of the cause by uploading photos of pet paw-traits using…

Self-employment help for nail techs: marketing advice & networking tips

By Lilly Delmage | 25 March 2025

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.…

Staffordshire tech: Working from a home salon has been the best decision I’ve made

By Lilly Delmage | 15 March 2025

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…

Becoming a nail tech at 16: I was the youngest student Bryony Howell had ever trained

By Lilly Delmage | 9 March 2025

17-year-old self-employed nail tech, Ruby Galluzzo, opens up about the journey that led her to pursue a nail career at such a young age. “I first became interested in nails when I was only eight-years-old, but my passion grew massively in 2020 during lockdown. That’s when I really started dreaming…

Yorkshire salon: The beauty therapists dedicated to making women feel their best

By Lilly Delmage | 8 March 2025

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 comprise five women: Sheree Kim Harrison, Elle Burrow, Kath Scaife, Jill Ralph and Patricia…

Sweet Hearts loyalty programme launches to reward beauty pros

By Helena Biggs | 3 March 2025

Sweet Squared, distributor of professional nail, hair and beauty brands including CND™, Famous Names, Footlogix and Artistic Nail Design, has launched the Sweet Hearts loyalty programme. Designed to reward and celebrate beauty professionals, Sweet Hearts aligns with the Leeds-based company’s ‘Love & Respect’ philosophy. Every time a purchase is made,…

Self-employment help for nail techs: interior design, safety & more considerations

By Lilly Delmage | 2 March 2025

As a self-employed tech, you can take control over your nail environment: from interior design and décor to cleaning schedules and product inventories. Here’s everything you need to know about tailoring your business to you… Interior design If working solo from a home salon or rented space, your aesthetic allows…

Manchester tech: I run my nail business from a shipping container

By Lilly Delmage | 1 March 2025

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,”…

These are the nail colour collections you need for spring/summer 2025

By Lilly Delmage | 26 February 2025

Spring/summer presents a time to spring clean your nail product inventory. Swap out winter hues for fresh and vibrant tones to suit the seasons, and get arty with vibrant patterns and plenty of florals. Here are the nail colour collections to note for SS25… CND™ Quiet Luxury collection, www.sweetsquared.com Available…

Ingrown nails & greenies: how to manage them as a nail tech

By Lilly Delmage | 23 February 2025

Have clients presented you with conditions like ingrown nails or greenies, but you’ve felt unsure about whether you should continue their appointments? Read on to freshen up your initial training and note the natural nail conditions that require medical intervention. While nail professionals should refrain from making medical diagnoses, it’s…

Lancashire tech: The local council didn’t recognise my nail & beauty salon as a valid business

By Lilly Delmage | 22 February 2025

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…

No-shows & cancellations: how to prevent & handle them in your beauty business

By Marie-Louise Coster | 20 February 2025

Session nail stylist, salon owner & educator, Marie-Louise Coster, shares advice for client no-shows and cancellations… Every beauty business, at some point, has a client that doesn’t turn up for their appointment. You will have blocked out time and potentially turned other clients away, but are left with an empty appointment…

Nail & beauty apprenticeships: salons share benefits, their experiences & advice

By Rebecca Hitchon | 16 February 2025

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…

Nail techs: This is why thorough client consultations are so important

By Lilly Delmage | 16 February 2025

Scratch Stars Natural Nail Specialist of the Year finalist 2024, Tanya Jeskins, shares why thorough client consultations are the key to effective and safe nail services that keep clients returning. So, what exactly is a client consultation? Tanya explains: “It’s a professional conversation that takes place before every appointment, to…

Ashford beauty salon: how exceptional customer service creates relaxing client experiences

By Lilly Delmage | 15 February 2025

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…