Nails
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

NAILS 35th Anniversary Flashback: 1995, Nail Competitions

1995 was arguably the year that nail competitions reached their pinnacle.

by Staff
December 4, 2018
NAILS 35th Anniversary Flashback: 1995, Nail Competitions

Lorena Marquez, Tom Bachik, and John Hauk at a BBSI competition.

1 min to read


Lorena Marquez, Tom Bachik, and John Hauk at a BBSI competition.

1995 was arguably the year that nail competitions reached their pinnacle. After holding the top spot on NAILS Top 25 Competitors list for two years, Kim Morgan was knocked off her perch by none other than Tom Bachik. Also in the Top 25 that year were standout competitors Sonia Glover, Amy Becker (then Amy Cooper), Sheryl Macauley, Michele Baker, Claudine Morgan, Danny Haile, and Tom Holcomb.

Claudine Morgan, Bachik, and Victoria Sozio with their models in 1996.

Facing such a fierce field of competitors honed the participants’ skills, and led to success in other areas of the industry as well. Several competitors — including Bachik, Becker, Haile, and Holcomb — started their own nail brands. Other techs whose careers were launched in the competition arena in subsequent years include Trang Nguyen, Alisha Rimando, John Hauk, Kirsty Meakin, Lorena Marquez, MaeLing Parrish, and Max Estrada.

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

More Business

A row of styling stations at JBW Jeffrey Ching Salon
Business|Articles|Mar 3, 2026

Precision, Passion, and the Business of Beauty

When Bowie Lau and Jeffrey Ching opened JBW Jeffrey Ching Salon in 2011, they weren’t just launching another luxury hair destination—they were building a business rooted in passion, artistry, and thoughtful growth.

Sponsored by Amex

Ad Loading...
Business|Articles|Nov 27, 2024

Prepare for Small Business Saturday® with American Express

The busy holiday season is here, and with it comes jam-packed days, last-minute client requests and booming retail sales. For many salon owners, the highlight of the season is Small Business Saturday® (SBS). This year on Saturday, November 30, consumers can take their shopping into the small businesses in their communities.

Sponsored by Amex

Ad Loading...
Business|Articles|Oct 22, 2024

Success at the Top: Thriving on Madison Ave.

Salon owner Nuri Yurt had a dream of owning a salon on New York City’s Madison Avenue. "Through perseverance, hard work and stellar customer service, he and partner John Kaygisiz founded Toka Salon in 2007.

Sponsored by Amex

Business|Articles|Sep 6, 2024

Vagaro’s New AI Features and Communication Tool Pave the Way for a More Efficient, Profitable Business

Vagaro has consistently been at the forefront of salon software technology, helping businesses be more efficient, create more effective communication, and even improve company culture. Now, Connect by Vagaro, the platform’s two-way communication capability, and Vagaro’s new generative AI tools are giving owners new opportunities to grow and expand.

Sponsored by Vagaro

Business|Articles|Aug 6, 2024

5 Things I Won't Do as a Nail Tech

This list of watch-outs from @jodydoesjels prompted us to reach out to her and learn more. We had already fallen for her hand-painted designs and now we wanted to know more about this list she created to help clients decide if she was the nail tech for them.

Ad Loading...