She Nailed! by Arlene

My nail technician decided to retire from the industry due to back problems so I decided I would have a bash at my own nails.

So, I jumped on to google and searched for nail courses. I quickly selected 1 of the first courses that appeared in the list because it was the chepest and I could fit the studying around my full time job. Fast forward a few months and a quick qualification later....I quickly learned that I HATED doing my own nails but I really enjoyed creating each and every set for my friends and family when I was practising.

My obssession and passion for the industry grew arms and legs and before I knew it....I had business cards and an advert on social media looking for more models. I started out as a mobile nail technician and tried to fit nails in between my full time job. This was exhausting but so worth it for a new and enthusiastic nail technician.

I still had so much more to learn so I continued to expand my knowledge. I have completed so many courses that I have lost count of them. Learning will never stop for me and even now, 4 years later, I am still attending courses and learning more.

In between all of this, I was made redundant from my full time job in the call centre. I was there for 9 years so this was a massive blow for me. I did find myself another full time office job but I only lasted 8 or 9 months before leaving because I hated it! My partner and family encouraged me to follow my love for nails and open a nail room....SO I DID (not without massive fear of failure).

I started out in a small room inside a hairdressing salon as "Nails By Arlene". The business grew unexpectedly fast and after 4 short months I had to search for a bigger room.

Once the big move to the new premises was complete, I had to find another nail technician to help me with my busy diary. Months went by and again...the business just kept growing and I needed even more space. In between all of this...I also started teaching for the academy I qualified with.

I moved the business to a larger room inside another hair salon which was just around the corner. By this point, I had to invite another nail technician to the salon to help with the busy diary. 2 moves and 2 new nail technicians later....I felt nothing but pride and emotion. Looking back in a moment of reflection....I never thought that my nail technician's retirement would result in a complete career change for me (and a successful 1 at that).

During my business journey, I have realised that everything changes and evolves FAST! The 2 nail technicians that rented tables from me ended up leaving and this opened an opportunity for me to grow again so I decided that all future staff would be EMPLOYED!! I also stopped teaching nail courses for beginners because I was stretching myself far too thin and trying to do too much.

Present day....I have 1 staff member who I employed on a full time basis. The business is now a limited company and we rebranded to "The Nail Room & Training Academy". I provide 1-2-1 support sessions to qualified nail technicians who need help to progress and perfect their work. I occasionally run nail art workshops at the salon too.

COVID-19 has put a lot of uncertainty in the mix. The business has survivied the 1st lockdown and hopefully it will survivie any lockdown that may occur in the future.

I am so proud of my journey. There have been highs and lows throughout but I stand here with a successful business and a bunch of knowledge that I can share with others. The future is looking bright and I am so excited to see what happens next.


Alene Fraser
@the_nail_room_x