Back in the mid-1980s Jim George’s W.I.N.B.A. Show in Anaheim, Calif., set the standard for trade shows in the industry, and the competitions attracted hundreds from all over the country — including me. Boasting huge five-foot competition trophies and exciting awards presentations with Tammy Taylor, to name just one, competitors such as Tom Holcomb competed at W.I.N.B.A. for many years.

Long after most independent trade shows ran their course, Bob Upshaw, the owner of Kupa, and I would visit Jim at his office on Friday afternoons from time to time and talk about the old days when Jim was a cop in Las Vegas back when the mafia was in control. Jim was one of the last real founders of the nail business, and for those who have been around since that time, we’ll fondly remember Jim and the good old days. You will be missed, Jim George. — Vicki Peters