Last month in this column, we raised the question of whether the nail industry is ready for a manufacturer/supplier association; an association that could plan, promote and protect the nail industry, and by extension, the nail technician.

We asked whether a group of competitors could meet and discuss issues without the problems of ego and short-sighted business competition.

As an answer, we would like to report in this column that a group of business people and competitors have done just that ... have decided to put competition aside and discuss larger issues facing the nail industry.

The first step was taken during an informal meeting held in conjunction with the World International Nails and Beauty Association show in Anaheim last month. At that time, company presidents and owners contributed several hundred dollars each to establish the first nail manufacturer/supplier association.

The companies that exhibited such vision are: NuArt Beauty Products, Fashion One Nail Design, No Lift Nails, Nails Naturally, Linnen Wrap, West Coast Nails Distributing, Fingertips, OrigiNails, Alpha 9, Anything Goes, Stephan Charles, and Karen's Nail Designs.

This small group of dedicated individuals represent only the first step in what appears to be an industry growing up, and one that is willing to take care of itself.

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