MENU
SEARCHThe idea of these ticking lists — of things to accomplish before you “kick the bucket,” so to speak — are gaining popularity via blogs, ad campaigns, and other media outlets. We asked our readers to share their professional ones. (No offense to pros-and-cons lists, but we think bucket lists are much more fun!)
Rooks
Bucket List of: Starr Sullivan Rooks, Academy of Nails and Esthetics, Charlotte, N.C.
Hauk
1. Meet John Hauk.
Habib (left) and Greg Salo
2. Meet Greg and Habib Salo.
3. Enter a nail competition.
4. Become an instructor.
5. Open a nail salon.
6. Travel to other countries to learn different techniques.
7. Open a nail academy.
8. Master pink-and-whites.
9. Create nails for a magazine cover.
10. Have artwork published in a magazine.
Hundley
Bucket List of:Tashawna Hundley , Square Nails, Jersey City, N.J.
1. Quit my day job and do nails for commercial shoots and films.
2. Open a shop in an urban zone (so they can also receive quality service).
3. Open a spa in Miami.
4. Teach nails at a cosmetology school.
5. Open an affordable dream vacation location in the Caribbean.
Roman
Bucket List of: Angie Roman, Chicago
1. Say that I have been a professional nail technician for over 20 years.
2. Become an educator for a professional nail product company.
3. Travel to Puerto Rico to see the San Juan Beauty Show.
4. Visit some of the huge nail product companies for a tour of their labs.
5. Get my nails done by other well-known technicians in other cities.
6. Finally win first or second place in the NAILS mural or mini-masterpiece contests. (I’ve been honorably mentioned four times.)
7. Take some amazing continuing education classes.
8. Do Ivy Queen’s nails once. Or any other famous person’s nails.
9. Sit in on an OPI polish naming meeting.
10. Hear that some of the students I taught are doing BIG things with nails.
11. Create a nail art book that will be published.
12. Be the nail tech for photo shoots and well-known photographers.
Next page: A nail tech who wants to earn her e-file certification, one who wants to do nails for fashion week, and one with international nail competitions in her sights!
[PAGEBREAK]
Anderson
Bucket List of: Nykicia S. Anderson, Upper Marlboro, Md.
1. Become an educator or mentor more nail techs.
2. Earn my e-file certification.
3. Attend the week-long Young Nails acrylic and gel class in California.
4. Host my own networking day for nail techs.
5. Develop my own product line.
6. Open my own nail studio.
7. Have my nails done by Princess Gard , Amy Oung, Anjanette Saint-Bartlett, and Joy McCray.
8. Have my nails showcased on the cover of NAILS Magazine.
9. Enter a competition and place.
10. Be a part of an editorial photo shoot.
Ne Webb
Bucket List of: Sharon Byrne Ne Webb, United Kingdom
1. Get my masters in Shellac and acrylic with CND.
2. Become an education ambassador for CND.
3. Enter nail competitions.
4. Open my own training school.
5. Do the nails for a photo shoot.
6. Be part of London/Milan/Paris fashion week.
7. Do a celebrity’s nails.
McCarthy
Bucket List of: Laura McCarthy, Divine Digitz, Bantry, Co.Cork, Ireland
1. Become an educator.
2. Enter the international nail competitions.
3. Do a few famous people’s nails, preferably with mad art, i.e. Katy Perry, Nicki Minaj, or Lady Gaga.
4. Earn enough through my passion to provide enough and more for my kids and their educations.
5. Win some nail art championships.
6. Meet and train with the world’s best and most talented nail artists.
7. Be so highly regarded that I get a cover of NAILS Magazine (or an interview at least!).
Next page: The most common bucket list items
[PAGEBREAK]
Newbill
Bucket List of: La Sharn Newbill, My enHANDSments by La Sharn, Bolingbrook, Ill., and Elkridge, Md.
1. Own one bricks-and-mortar spa-salon.
2. Own one mobile spa.
3 To be an expert witness for nails in court.
4. Do five of my favorite celebrities’ manicures and/or pedicures.
5. Continue to assist those who aren’t able to get their nails done.
6. Own a small nail school for anyone in high school.
7. Continue to stand out from the next nail tech.
8. Continue to assist other nail techs who are struggling in the industry.
9. Compete internationally.
10. Patent a product.
Whatley
Bucket List of: Jamika Whatley, Houston
1. Open my own nail bar.
2. Extend that nail bar to multiple locations.
3. Travel overseas to gather ideas from other nail salons that may be great in the States.
4. Develop my own nail lotions/scrubs/brand.
5. Give back to battered women’s shelters or senior citizens by doing their nails periodically.
6. Mentor others wanting to open a nail bar.
Cochran
Bucket List of: NaStasha J. Cochran, Cleveland
1. Write a successful business plan.
2. Open ENJCE Nail Bar and ENJCE Nail Bar+.
3. Become a successful business woman.
4. Watch my kids graduate from college.
5. Host a charity fundraiser to provide hair and nail care to the developmentally disabled population.
6. Give back to my community.
7. Open a chain of ENJCE Nail and Hair Academies.
8. Enjoy educating the world about nail care and the fun of it all!
9. Retire and live like a queen.
10. Die smiling.
We heard from more than 30 nail techs and salon owners who shared their bucket lists with us. Though we couldn’t print them all here, we did note some interesting commonalities:
We declare a tie for the most common bucket list item: to open your own salon and to do editorial work (for celebrities, magazine photo shoots,and runway shows).
The celebrities you want to do nails for? Women with fierce style: Katy Perry, Pink, Ivy Queen, Lady Gaga.
Ten nail techs specifically mentioned wanting to do a NAILS Magazine cover before they die. (We’re flattered!)
Ten techs have a life goal of traveling the world for nails. Destinations abound from England to Russia to Japan.
When it comes to attending trade shows, the International Beauty Show (IBS) in Las Vegas is a life goal for more techs than any other show.
Either many of you loved nail school (or are committed to improving it — or both!) because 10 of you want to either become instructors or open your own schools.
Related Article:
An Awesome, Awesome Day [Starr Rooks Checks An Item Off Her Bucket List]
Square data shows that regular customers tip 11% higher and are shared across 32% of businesses in the same ZIP code, driving thousands of dollars in additional revenue per connection.
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
Inside the Systems That Power an Elevated Salon Experience From seamless online booking to a team-first culture, J Gold Salon in Atlanta offers more than great hair—it delivers consistent, high-touch service with the help of partners like Boulevard and American Express.
Sponsored by Amex
Want to grow your career as a beauty professional? K18 Sales Manager Sabrina Sanborn shares advice on networking, mentorship, and self-advocacy—from attending hair shows to finding the right guidance to reach your goals.
A combination of clear policies, effective communication, and strong client relationships has helped me create a more reliable and efficient booking system.
Founded by Cleveland serial entrepreneur Shaura Rodgers, Nailtorious has grown to include a nail supply megastore, training facilities, and retail line for nail techs.
This period after the holidays can bring on a huge lull for hairstylists. We asked Cosmo Prof's team of professionals to offer their best advice on how to deal with the January-February slow period.
Key highlights include a push toward inclusive spaces for all abilities, an emphasis on maximizing livable square footage, and a continued love for modern farmhouse exteriors.
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
Want to become savvy about your personal finances, but don't quite know where to start? Anna Manukyan identifies six important concepts for building a strong financial foundation.
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
This guide is your one-stop shop for a plethora of technology tools, software and services created to keep your salon or spa thriving.
Anna Manukyan shares a breakdown of what different types of financial accounts should be used for.
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
Young Nails' Greg, Habib, and Tracey discuss whether getting too close to clients can damage your business.
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.
Education is necessary for beauty professionals to maintain their cosmetology licenses, and paying for that education can be burdensome, but it doesn't have to be. Understand which education tax credits can help you offset those costs.
