A day packed with back-to-back sessions on subjects ranging from natural nails to UV gels and liquid-and-powder to business building, the first-ever educational event hosted by The Nail Platform marked the start of a new initiative. The day-long course, which took place at the Hilton Hotel in Anaheim, Calif., in early September, offered more than 25 nail techs from across the country the opportunity to learn from some of the industry’s finest with no product bias in an effort to elevate knowledge and skill level after nail school.

“Education needs to continue beyond nail school to bring students up to a professional level. To continue in the nail tech career path, education should continue for a lifetime as techniques evolve, information is updated, and chemistry improves,” says Holly Schippers, also known as the FingerNailFixer, who was on-location leading the sessions on acrylics and gels. “The Nail Platform is a chance for educators, brand-affiliated or not, to share technique and experience while the attendees relax and learn using any medium they’re used to in the salon.”

Lucien Henderson, founder of The Nail Platform and Empower Nail Art, says he launched the non-profit organization to match the demand for skill-focused classes with leading independent educators. Henderson, Schippers, Gina Silvestro, Naja Rickette, and David Valentino were the experts sharing tips at the podium and providing hands-on demonstrations to those in attendance.


For Elizabeth Morris, owner and operator of Va-Va Varnish in San Diego, Calif., attending the event meant a new opportunity to grow her professional network. “For me, the biggest takeaways were the business connections with other pros,” she says.

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