Salon- Based Schooling

Many industry educators consider the frequent travel a perk of the job, but what if travel is not appealing or simply not possible for you?

“I felt maybe I’d like to teach for a manufacturer, but I don’t like to travel alone,” says Salina Rush, NAILS’ 2002 Nail Tech of the Year and Salon of the Year (1-4 techs) winner. “I thought, ‘I have a nice salon. Why couldn’t I teach here?’”

After a few phone calls to her state board, Rush learned the only requirement to teach continuing education in her salon was to fill out the appropriate forms and submit a lesson plan. Rush gladly complied and now offers three approved courses - Pretty in pink and White, Troubleshooting, and Competition 101 - at her Wooster, Ohio, salon.

The seasoned competitor (she’s been on our Top 25 list six years running) particularly enjoys the all-day competition and concludes after lunch with a mock competition. “I judge each student’s nails as if we were at an actual competition and then explain how to fix any problems,” says Rush. Shelly Gerig, a participant at her last class and a continuing education instructor herself drove 3- ½ hours with colleague Donna Miller to take the class. “We went because Salina is the best and because it was an excellent opportunity to refine our skills before entering our next competition,” says Gerig. Students also appreciate her emphasis on technique rather than on a particular product, says Rush.