Lockdown: Sam Biddle discusses online training

For many nail technicians and salon owners, lockdown has given them the gift of time. Time to either learn new nail techniques, how to improve their business, or simply, going back to basics. Here, esteemed educator, Sam Biddle, shares her experiences and how lockdown has shaped her business…

What positives has lockdown presented to you?

As an educator and course provider, lockdown restricted my ability to travel and visit the many countries and distributors all over the world like I would normally do. However, I have been lucky to have been providing online courses for over seven years now.

I wanted to improve my platform, and invested my Bounce Back Loan into a brand new software which allows me to give the students a better learning experience.

I believe wholeheartedly that you come to class prepared to learn, but online education means you need to make extra effort to get your mindset right. Learning on social platforms is always going to distract you.

I wanted to give the students a place they can gain knowledge without leaving their homes, which, of course this was perfect during lockdown.

How have you adapted your business?

Seeing many other nail educators who wanted to provide online education but had limited resources or technical knowledge to build a website, or understand how to process a course, saw me start a new business: Inspired Space.

This is a place where nail educators can deliver their courses, on the be inspired online website. they have their own profile and catalogue page and their courses are built by my team. I also can provide mentoring and marketing advice to help them sell their courses and we have support packages for promotional content and email campaigns.

The Inspired Space was a direct result of the situation the industry and nail educators find themselves in. It allowed me to help, by doing what I do best and letting them concentrate on what they do best.

I am currently also building a platform for online life coaches and therapists, plus a new division on Be Inspired online for crafters and artists. There is a lack of support, it is not about the ability to post a course and hope people will turn up, but the knowledge on the process of course launches. This is not a course, this is a partnership and collaboration, individually tailored to each creative. I am excited by this new development in my business. 

What has lockdown allowed you to do professionally that you might not have previously had the time for?

I have been able to work with other nail professionals and connect and collaborate, I wouldn’t have had the time or been able to connect because they have not needed my help. I am excited by the relationships I have developed.

I also brought the new 30 nails in 30 days challenge to the industry given nail educators an opportunity to introduce what they want to teach to an otherwise unknowing audience. 30 nails in 30 days challenge has also given nail techs a challenge to work on, a sense of purpose and a confidence boost.

What personal & professional life lessons will you take from lockdown?

I am very aware of how lucky I am to be able to continue working and building my business during lockdown. One thing I have embraced is the opportunity to change and grow and I will forever trust that it will all work out.

I am thankful for the friendships and support and have learned myself to be more empathetic during this pandemic.

Click here for more information about Sam Biddle and the online training currently available.