So the end of my second competition season came to a close in Las Vegas this June. It was certainly a fast-paced month and I think I am finally catching up on all the other things that got put on the back burner.

I owe a huge thanks to my patient and supportive husband, and my clients who were also an amazing source of encouragement especially during June. Having Orlando and Las Vegas two weeks apart in June is definitely one of the most difficult parts of the entire competition season both in time and expense.

I have been reflecting on the 2011 season: what I improved on, still need to focus on, and what I want or need to do differently…basic goal setting I suppose. I am also anxiously awaiting the new schedules and themes to be announced on August 1^st. That was one mistake I made last year…deciding too late to enter fantasy nail art. I will definitely not make that mistake again. That was a HUGE lesson learned.

I have also thought about how far I have come since my first competition (salon success) in Long Beach 2010. As I said before I did not finish that competition in time but that brings me to the close of the 2011 season in Vegas and guess what…I finished in the NailPro cup top ten for the season and actually brought home some trophies.

So my goals went from wanting just to finish on time, to wanting to just place top ten, to wanting a trophy, and then to making top ten overall — which I just achieved. So now what?

I certainly do not want to go backwards. I would like to stay in the top ten and improve on my skills and placements along with entering some of the categories I have not tried yet. There is still so much to learn. So YES, I am already making plans for next year. I hope some of you will decide to challenge yourself and try at least one competition this next year. I hope to see you there!

Above is Tammi’s Fantasy Nail Art entry at the Orlando show this past June. It placed 3^rd.

— Tammi