How to Expand Your Career Options (and Maybe do a Magazine Editor’s Nails)

One of the questions I get asked most often is how I get to do some of the special things I do. The answer to that is not as simple as one thing or another. If you have aspirations of doing more within the industry outside of working at your table, it’s going to take some time and hard work. The three most important tips I can give you are:

• Be honest and transparent. While everyone knows I bleed sweeping C’s for CND, you also know I care about the industry as a whole. I embrace all techniques and products as part of our giant family. I am always upfront about my passion for science and elevating everyone in the industry. Being upfront about the product that is my personal favorite while being willing to help with other products (because a lot of technique is universal) let’s you see that I am honest about what I like while clearly loving the industry as a whole.
• Network. Talk to industry people outside of your bubble. How often do you see pictures of me with people from other companies? About as often as with those who use only CND. What about people from outside strictly doing nails? There are magazine editors, Nail Talk Radio hosts, podcast hosts, and more. You can learn from all of the different aspects of the industry and exchange knowledge from all different perspectives.
• Follow through. More often than you would think, I get messages thanking me for answering questions, returning emails, replying to messages, etc. It is no longer a common practice for people to do what they said they would do and to reply to those who reach out to them. I am only human, so there are times I miss a message. Those times I ask that you ask the question again after a day!

 That being said, I got to do the coolest thing yesterday! When I met a couple of the editors of Modern Salon at the ISSE show in Long Beach this past January, they were excited about the cool nails I had done for the NAILS Magazine team. They shocked me when explaining that they had only ever had simple solid color manicures. I wanted them to know how much fun it was to step outside the straight color box and offered to come to ABS in Chicago early and manicure them all at the magazine office. We exchanged business cards and that was that.

When returning home, I checked with CND about flying in a day early, made arrangements for an extra day at the hotel, and lined things up. When it was finalized and ready I reached out to the editors and they were so surprised I was following through! This resulted in manicures for seven of them in the office. I was honored to do their first “fancy nails” and provide some education on what to look for in a quality service.

You can see that this came about not because it dropped in my lap while I sat at the salon wondering what I could do. It happened because I pursued it. No matter what your goals are aside from being behind your table, YOU are the key to making things happen!