Homeless to home salon success: a Staffordshire nail tech’s inspiring journey

“I became homeless when I was 21; I had just split up from my partner of five years and my friends and family were unable to help me,” explains Isabelle Pattissier of Chesterton business, Drop Dead Beauty.

“I stored some things at my mum’s, told her I was living with a friend so she wouldn’t worry and made my 1992 Volkswagen Polo my home. I was working as a motor claims handler, but it did not pay enough and I had no savings to put a deposit down on a property. Only my HR manager knew of my situation, and gave me a key to shower facilities at the office,” she continues.

After work, Isabelle would either go to the gym using a friend’s membership or hang out with friends, making this last as long as possible. “I would have a shower while charging my phone, then drive myself to the spot I’d sleep at. In the morning, I’d get dressed in my car and head to work,” she details.

“I lived in my car for just under two months. I was too proud to admit I was struggling.”

One day, Isabelle called a housing association to declare herself homeless, but she didn’t fit the criteria to do so because of her job. “The person on the phone shared the details of a private landlord that had a cheap property about to become available, and after calling them and explaining my circumstances, I managed to secure the property,” Isabelle reveals. “The landlord charged me 50% of the deposit to alleviate financial stress, but I made a decision that I regret to this day: I took out credit cards to cover furniture and utilities. It led to me playing catch up with money and living hand to mouth. When the pandemic hit, I lost my job and had to declare bankruptcy to pay off my debts.”

Everything changed when Isabelle met her now fiancé, Ethan, in 2020. “He moved in with me and saw how bad my finances were, so took on the bulk of our bills,” she shares. “This meant I could work part-time at Starbucks and undertake nail training one day per week. I discovered a passion for the craft during lockdown, while tending to my own nails and realising local salons didn’t offer art that I like.

“I originally undertook a nail course so that I could safely do my own nails, but fell in love with making people feel pretty.”

Isabelle and Ethan.

Once qualified, Isabelle worked in salons – but realised this environment didn’t suit her and began offering nail services from her kitchen. “Unfortunately, after a friend told me that the nail profession wouldn’t get me anywhere, I stopped carrying out treatments for nine months,” Isabelle says. “It was Ethan that encouraged me to continue pursuing this career, and that’s what I’m doing now. For two years, I can’t receive funding to properly set up my business, but I am so proud that I am making it happen.

“I am also incredibly grateful for the clients that have stuck by my side,” she continues. “I have created a safe space where people can be their authentic selves and have their needs met. As a neurodivergent individual, I offer clients what I would like from a nail tech. For example, I craft 3D gel creations on the nails of people with autism and ADHD, as they find these calming to play with.”

What has Isabelle learned from her experiences, that she’d like to share with Scratch readers? “If you love what you do, you shouldn’t give up – resilience and determination can help you achieve your dreams, and a bad situation might be the universe lining you up for your true path,” she smiles. “Do not compare your success to others and don’t be afraid to ask for help.”

Looking to the future, the tech hopes to become an advocate for nail pros who suffer with mental health. “I am working towards becoming an educator, and also hope to get involved in competing,” she reveals. “My dream is to have my own space where I can offer more services and training for those who feel different.”

Follow Isabelle on social media: Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.

Check out Isabelle’s winning entry to the July 2024 Scratch Snap nail art competition.