Wondering if you should become a nail technician and start your own company?
You’re not alone. In an EdX survey, 32% of workers between 25 and 44 were considering making a career change, and 29% already had!
A new career in beauty might be just what you’ve been looking for:
The Thriving Beauty Sector
Experts have estimated that in 2021 the total revenue generated by the beauty and personal care market could be as much as $82,264 million.
According to the same statistics, the beauty market is also expected to grow with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.1 percent in the period 2021–2025, reaching an overall revenue of $96,449 million in 2025.
That means we can safely say, job security in the beauty sector should be reassuringly high. So, if you’re considering re-training, we hope you enjoy this guide to becoming a nail technician and running your own business.
Choosing the Right Nail Technician Course
Choosing the right nail technician course is especially important in the United Kingdom. That’s because legally, to run your own nail salon you need to be certified.
However, there are some other training courses available that will teach you the ropes but won’t confer certifications.
That means, if you did the wrong course, you might know how to do nails but not be allowed to run your own company.
Over the past few years, the UK nail salon industry has been booming and nail fashion has become a big hit with celebrities on social media. So much so, that big, high-end brands like Gucci and Prada regularly release limited-edition nail polishes and sell out.
The best qualification to capitalize on the boom and ensure you’re still legally allowed to run your own business is the VTCT Level 3 Diploma in Nail Technology. It’s the official, fully insurable, and industry-recognized nail tech qualification. With this qualification, you can run your salon and also look much more employable to a potential existing business.
If you get this diploma, you will be able to provide clients with gel, acrylic, and electric filing services. You would also be taught all the techniques and scientific facts about each nail enhancement procedure.
There’s a focus on practical skills, but also some coverage of customer service and interpersonal skills you’ll need to set your customers at ease and ensure a high-quality treatment service.
It is also possible to find high-quality nail technician training online that will provide the skills and qualifications you need, and some providers will also complement their online training with additional practical modules too.
The course also provides an excellent foundation in pedicures, skin or nail infections, and even fungus to ensure you keep your salon sanitary, safe, and in line with best practices and regulations.
Tip 1: Check Reviews and Testimonials for Courses
A beauty school is only going to provide the qualifications we’ve described above if it is government-registered and authorized.
So, base your choice of beauty school on a few factors including the testimonials of former students, the level of teaching, and the true qualification at the required level to attain certification.
Manicure and pedicure lessons aimed at enthusiastic amateurs can be found online, but these are only for novices who want to do their nails at home or help friends.
Nail health is a very serious matter and infections can prove fatal if left untreated, so it’s important to get a good, regulated education even if you don’t want to run your own business.
A correctly administered education will give you a detailed and high-quality understanding of customer hygiene practices and customer health.
Health and safety guidelines are government mandated for businesses, so any failure to follow the correct guidelines can also get businesses closed down. Make sure that you start your new career on the right foot by studying everything you need to put in place, from clean towels to thoroughly sterilized nail tools.
If you have already learned how to do nails at home and are self-taught, a good Level 3 course can support your existing knowledge and add credibility and trust to your existing skillset.
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, a lot of schools are offering online lessons through Zoom instead of, or in addition to lessons in the classroom. They usually offer sculpting, acrylics, gel extensions, manicures, and nail art instruction.
Tip 2: Check For Free Funding
Did you know some organizations can also offer free funding for courses?
Some organizations can provide free courses in some situations. If you are between the ages of 19 – 23 and this is your FIRST Level 2 qualification or you are 23+ and unemployed or earn less than £15,736.50 per year, you should qualify.
Government funding is available in other circumstances, too, so it’s always worth asking if you might qualify.
All courses, even ones that do offer free funding due to Government tuition payments, require you to buy your kit. That means all the trade tools, nail products, polishes, and other equipment.
Tip 3: Get Hands-On Experience
If you’ve never worked in a nail salon before, it’s a good idea to get a job at an existing salon with a similar clientele to the one you would like so you can get a feel for the challenges you will face running your own business.
Write a strong cover letter with your resume and try delivering them in person to the nail salons that you most admire. Or, even book as a customer if you can and let them know you’d love to work there and have just qualified.
Chatting about your desire to work there while the workers are doing your nails could be a full 40 minutes sales pitch of your talent. If you can show the manager photos of your work, it will go a long way to proving you’re cut out for the job.
Tip 4: Build a Portfolio, Website, or Social Media Space
Happy customer testimonials and photos of the nails you have done are your way of showing the world what you’re capable of achieving. You can make a real photo book to show people or showcase your reviews and photographs on social media.
Instagram is a great place to highlight all of your best work and also include testimonials from happy customers.
In some cases, they may even have social media accounts and be able to comment directly on the photo, thanking you and praising your amazing work.
Social proof is also a key marketing technique that encourages other customers to choose you instead of your competitors.
Becoming a Nail Technician
Without a doubt, becoming a nail technician is an excellent opportunity.
It offers opportunities to expand your business into a nail salon chain or even develop a strong international brand over time.
Finding the right course is the first step to succeeding and being your own boss.
