Editor's Note: Kelly Wilson approached NAILS Magazine about reading a blog from someone who is just starting out in the industry. We liked the idea, so we offered Wilson this space to talk about the ups and downs of a first year nail tech. Tune in each week to hear more from Kelly, and feel free to leave your comments below the post.

Introduction

Hello my name is Kelly Wilson and I just received my license in March. I wanted to do this blog for new nail techs and students to show what it's really like when you go out on your own. I would love to say since I have received my license that I work at a high luxury salon, my appointment book is full until Christmas, and my other crazy nail tech fantasies have come true. Alas, this is not one of those stories. This blog will cover the reality of starting out on your own: how hard it is to build a clientele, how your personal life will change, and the unexpected hardships along the way. I hope you can think of me as your brutally honest fairy godmother, except I do nails and would never recommend glass shoes. This blog is in no way meant to scare those entering the nail industry. Receiving your license is only one of the steps to your career and there are many more to come. Because the truth will set you free, right?