During its sophomore year, Aiken, S. C.-based Nails of America has continued to try and raise the professional standards in the nail industry by promoting continuing education, informing both the industry and consumers about MMA products and improper drill usage, and fighting against state board deregulation and sunsetting.

The most recent legislative session has seen the association lending support to boards and nail technicians in Alabama, Georgia, Florida, and North and South Carolina. “We get involved when the state board is threatened in any way, because deregulation and sunsetting affect licensing. If there is no licensing, the consumer is not receiving even the most minimal protection. This affects how they’ll look at our industry,” says organization president Chesley Phillips. “At the same time, we provide nail and salon professionals with information on sanitation, MMA, and other important issues.”

Nails of America offers both members and non-members a different approach to continuing education. “Our conferences are not like tradeshows,” says Phillips. “We ask distributors, instead of manufacturers, to come and educate the participants, and there is less focus on product sales. We concentrate on business classes because we find that many salon owners aren’t good with things like budgeting.” Nails of America charges $15-$35 to attend an educational event.

 

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