Editor’s note: New Zealand-based nail tech Kat Lassey is the owner of Beautyfx, a nail distributor, and the founder of NailTechNZ, an organization dedicated to raising the standards of nail care in New Zealand. Here’s Kat’s recap of the most recent NailTechNZ get-together.

Kiwis are known for their laid-back attitudes and distinct sense of humor. We're embracing our quirks and using them to turn the nail industry around, one “play date” at a time.

I've watched the industry evolve through trend after trend, and one thing stays the same no matter what: Techs always feel isolated when they hit a rough patch. Despite training opportunities being available in all the major cities, the same issues remain constant in this industry:

-Techs feeling alone
-Techs questioning their skills
-Techs having an unrealistic idea of how much money they'll make in this job. (Spoiler alert: not as much as you think.)

That’s why I came up with a concept of regular meet-and-greet functions where technicians could uplift each other. We borrow a salon for a few hours and invite local techs to come hang out. I invite them to bring any products they're struggling with and one of the educators there that day will help them troubleshoot their product. I believe a good educator can work with any product, so we keep these events product-neutral.

Throughout the day everyone swaps desks and we all get to “have a play” with each other's products — even the educators and reps. I want to remove the anxiousness. Just show up and have a good time. The learning is slipped in by educators who have turned the lesson into something so entertaining, the education is almost subliminal.

Recently we held a NailTechNZ PlayDate in Auckland. Attendees were given the opportunity to try a range of products from dipping systems to elastic gels. I issued a challenge for the best freehand French nail using Young Nails SlickPour (which none of us had tried before) and gave the winner $100. It's fun, low-key games like this that keep our industry strong and it's one of the reasons I believe New Zealand is entirely capable of leading the way with regulating the industry. Make it fun, share the passion for new sparkly things, and share the highest quality education.

Here are some more pics from the event:

Photos courtesy of Sheryl Johnston and Kat Lassey