I got a chance to visit Young Nails headquarters during its recent training and education seminar. The four-day event had a great turnout, with many new techs trying out to become full-fledged mentors for the Young Nails team, as well as 30+ already-qualified mentors who were there furthering their education and receiving one-on-one feedback from Greg Salo.

The Young Nails building, located in sunny Anaheim, Calif., recently expanded when the company acquired a new building right next door. The new building houses the command center for education, as well as a welcoming Young Nails store where products are displayed and local nail techs can even come in and purchase direct. Young Nails calls the building The Young Nails Tech/the Store Facility.

A new addition to the Young Nails team is Sam Lauachus, who’s official title is “director of awesomeness.” She told me it’s been a hectic past couple of months getting everything in the new building ready, but they are really happy and satisfied with the results. “We just finished setting everything up last week, literally right before the education event,” she said, “but it’s working out fantastic and the mentors really like the education room.”

When I was there, the mentors were just wrapping up their last class for the day and the event, and Greg was reviewing each and every mentor one-on-one. The techs were excited about getting feedback from such an established nail professional like Greg, which prompted me to ask Young Nails veteran Loni Jensen Preato about his skill.

I was curious how nail techs that are in the salons every day view Greg’s work, considering he also has to help run the business and perhaps his hands-on-skills had slipped a bit.

According to Preato though, Greg is still doing exceptional-quality nails and the advice and tips he gives continue to illuminate techs to different ways of product application.

“It think it’s because he continues to do so much education,” said Preato. “He’s still doing really great-looking nails.”

Me with Sam Lauachus, Young Nails’ new director of awesomeness, in front of the new Young Nails store.

The store is open to local nail techs who can come in and buy from Young Nails’ extensive product line.

The new Young Nails education center was well-attended for its latest education seminar. The classroom has full tables for each student and a large projector in the front for demonstrations.

Young Nails has recently come out with these practice hand models, which were getting rave reviews from students.

“All the schools should have these,” said Tracy Clement, a mentor from Providence, R.I., who was practicing on this design as she waited for Greg’s interview.

— Tim