How to Grow a Beauty Business
NAILS asked Rosie Herman, the founder of One Minute Manicure, to give us a glimpse into the nitty-gritty details of growing a beauty business from scratch.
by Judy Lessin
Vintage Luxury at Va-Va Varnish
With no nail bars or pedicure chairs in sight, it may be hard to believe Va-Va Varnish is a nail salon instead of a posh living room. The unique layout stems from what owner Elizabeth Morris liked and disliked as a salon customer.
Playing Favorites: Readers' Favorite Websites
We surveyed readers to find out what nail-related sites they surf the most. Since we are spending more and more time online, check out these virtual destinations to better your skill set, boost your business, or gain inspiration. Be sure to bookmark these peer favorites.
On the Road: Astrowifey
Ashley Crowe, more commonly known as nail artist extraordinaire Astrowifey, dreams up funky, contemporary designs and executes them in her Chicago-based home studio.
by Beth Livesay
I Bought a Spa!
Since buying the former Spa Gregorie’s in September 2014, owner Emma Hughes has put in place numerous green initiatives to transform the entire spa — from organic and all-natural product lines and services to the use of eco-friendly flooring and paint.
by Judy Lessin
Sola Salon Studios Celebrates a Milestone
Sola Salon Studios, which has 230 locations nationwide, is celebrating a company milestone in June — more than 5,000 salon professionals owning their own businesses at Sola locations across the country, 435 of whom are nail techs.
Salon-Owning Sisters Make Perfect Partners
Jennifer and JoAnna Sciarrino are living proof of the old adage “two heads are better than one.”
by Judy Lessin
My Other Life: Torie Bastian, Hooping Enthusiast
Hooping It Up: Nail tech Torie Bastian credits hooping, one of the flow arts, with an increase in confidence and better posture and overall health.
by Judy Lessin
GLO Puts a Twist on Traditional Nail Treatments
Tomson Nguyen and Tracy Tran both have parents who worked in nail salons, but when coming up with the concept for GLO Nail Bar, they realized there were many tweaks and upgrades that could be made to improve the quality of service.
Laqué Nail Bar (OPI Salon Spotlight)
Laqué Nail Bar is a unique upscale salon with a cult following. They are most known for their extensions and nail art, both signature services that have garnered the salon over one million Instagram followers.
House of Polish (OPI Salon Spotlight)
Get a glimpse into this stunning salon space in Beverly Hills. House of Polish makes everyone feel like a celebrity. From the monogrammed champagne flutes to the Swarovski crystal encrusted Beats headphones at every pedicure chair — the House of Polish makes anyone feel like a celebrity. You Might Also Like: House of Polish: This Beverly Hills Salon Is Cutting Edge
Following in Mom's Footsteps
It’s not uncommon for nail technicians to have a family member who also shares the same trade. For several of these nail techs, they remember a part of their childhood spent in salons. Whether they initially planned on another profession or knew right away they would follow in their mother’s footsteps, these women share how their mothers played a specific role in finding their way into the nail industry.
Support Your Local Nail Fairy
Every other Friday the young patients at Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital in Tacoma, Wash., receive a special visitor — none other than the Nail Fairy. Wearing wings and bearing polish, Martina Ngo is welcomed with broad smiles as she dispenses manicures and good cheer.
by Judy Lessin
Light Elegance Meets Bambi
Joseph McLellan, the operations manager for Redmond, Ore.-based Light Elegance, was playing golf with company president Jim McConnell when a baby doe ran right up to them.
A Test for the Typical Tech
Based on statistics found in NAILS 2014-2015 Big Book, what follows is a portrait of a typical nail technician. How many boxes can you check?
Enamel Diction (OPI Salon Spotlight)
Enamel Diction Nail Studio is making your monthly manicure personal. Their unique colorscope service prescribes the best color for you based on your astrological sign and time of birth. You Might Also Like: On the Road: Enamel Diction
Person * Place * Thing
Nail tech and salon owner Kathy Dent shares her favorite work-related person, place, and thing.