Technically our business “year” runs from our February issue to the following January. NAILS Magazine’s first-ever issue was the February 1983 issue so we officially start each new volume with the February issue. So while this isn’t the actual end of the year for NAILS, I’m going to take a moment to celebrate as if it was. For us, 2013 was a big anniversary year. The magazine officially turned 30 years old and we celebrated all year with a look back through our rich history. We looked at our own past as a magazine, the history of our industry, and even looked back at some of our long-time product manufacturers.

Normally I reserve this page to tackle a subject I feel needs discussion. You know, something about the importance of continuing education, social marketing strategies, scheduling time to recharge, or proper gel-polish removal techniques. My main goal is to reach out to you and (hopefully) say something that will click and make you take a second look at how you’re running your business or how you’re taking care of yourself and others at your salon. But this month, I’d simply like to say, “Thank you.” Thank you for reading the magazine for 30 years (or whatever portion of those 30 years you’ve been in the nail business). Thank you for following us online and helping to make our website (www.nailsmag.com) the number-one source of information on the professional nail industry. Thank you for your letters of support — and your letters of dissent. We are dedicated to putting out a magazine that helps you run your business better. Without all of you, we wouldn’t be the industry magazine (and website) we are today. It’s your stories we long to share. Thank you for your voice.

This was a great year for NAILS Magazine and a great year for the nail industry. Nail services and products are still riding a high in the mainstream consumer media. We saw nails reach beyond the runways at fashion shows and jump into a starring role on reality television (both “America’s Next Top Model” and “Project Runway” featured nail designs prominently). We saw gel-polish continue to grow as its own service category. And of course, we saw nail art continue its dominance across Internet and social media platforms. Let’s continue riding this wave as long as we can.

— Hannah

Hannah.Lee@bobit.com