While attending a recent meeting of the Wisconsin State Board, nail tech Jennifer Brickl was struck by the fact that techs in her state have no representation on the board. “They didn’t even know the terminology for the services we provide and these are the people making the rules for our profession,” she says “Their hearts are in the right place, but we need a nail tech on the board or increased involvement at the meetings. Her solution, start a statewide association.

The newly founded Wisconsin Nail Tech Association has several areas of focus providing education, weighing in on regulatory issues, and bridging the cultural and language gaps in the industry. “Some of the comments at the meeting were directed toward Asian salons, but there were no Asian nail techs there,” recalls Brickl. “Certain groups must no feel a part of the process. I’d like to change that by reaching out to all ethnicities.”

On the legislative front, the first issue on the agenda has to do with waxing. “As of Dec 1, 2006 the board gave nail techs the ability to wax hands and feet, but we must have eight hours of training and get a certificate to legally perform and charge for these services,” Brickl says. “The catch is that none of the schools I contacted in Madison are offering this class and the board will not allow us to get this training at a trade show or supply house.”

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