Working together: The mothers and children building businesses in the nail Industry
By Scratch Staff | 16 March 2025 | Feature, Tech Talk
The nail industry has often been described as ‘one big family’, but for many nail brand owners, techs, and educators, it really is a true reality.
To celebrate Mother’s Day, Scratch spoke to mother-child duos & trios on how they work together within nail & beauty businesses to build success…
Belinda Price and daughters, Lucy, Jessica, Natalie & Catherine
L-R Lucy, Jessica and Belinda
Belinda Price found her way into the nail industry at the age of 16 after being introduced by a friend and landing a job in a salon. She then went on to work as a mobile nail tech, and then opened a salon over 20 years ago called NailSpa, based in Huddersfield.
“All four of my daughters trained with me, have worked in the salon and are qualified nail technicians,” shares Belinda. “Lucy and Jess each saw long-term opportunities in the nail and beauty sector, and took over the day-to-day running of Nailspa in 2017. It was then that my passion for nails and education led me to pursue a full-time teaching role.” Belinda now focuses on her role as OPI’s UK&I education manager.
Charli Jepson and daughter, Adonia
Adonia (left) and Charli (right)
“I’ve been in the nail industry for nearly 20 years, so my daughter, Adonia, has been immersed in it from a young age,” shares Charli. “When she was 14, she began showing an interest in nails as a career, and I promised to train her when she turned 16.” Since then, Adonia has shone as a nail pro, creating stunning designs and joining the two-time Scratch Stars Award-winning Glitterbels Education Team.
Charli notes that working together has given Adonia a newfound appreciation for her role. She says: “We’ve shared many amazing experiences, such as working at fashion shows for Marian Newman BEM and Glitterbels, but it’s been rewarding to watch Adonia realise that my job isn’t all glitz and glamour. She now understands the hard work that also goes on behind the scenes.”
Susan Gerrard and children, Paul, Lisa & Danielle
After getting engaged to her hairdresser husband, Ian Gerrard, nearly 60 years ago, the pair opened a hair salon together. Susan then enrolled in The Revlon School of Manicure so she could offer manicures in the salon.
Since then, the couple launched distribution brand, the Natural Nail Company (now Gerrard International), after Susan discovered Jessica Natural Nail Care and more recently have founded Mii Cosmetics.
Susan’s daughter Lisa is now managing director of the company, Danielle is director of international sales and Paul is marketing director.
Hazel Dixon and daughter, Keileigh
Hazel (left) & Keileigh (right)
After giving birth in 2006 to her third child, Keileigh, Hazel decided that she wanted to do something that would enable her to work around her children.
She enrolled to the beginner’s course with CNDTM and since then, has run a salon, founded Hazel Dixon Nail Artist Academy, launched HD Nail TV and has started a distribution brand for Akzentz and her own line of products, HD Professional Nail SystemsTM.
A brand daughter, Keileigh, now works for, she comments: “Since completing my A-levels, I’ve taken on additional responsibilities for the brand, including designing digital product images, promotional banners and graphics. I also manage social media content, handle product photography and played a significant role in rebuilding the www.hazeldixonnails.com website in 2024.”
The pair also worked together on the cover shoot of Scratch‘s February issue, with Hazel responsible for the nails and styling, while Keileigh brought the vision to life through photography.
Hazel and Keileigh’s front cover of Scratch.
Lezlie McConnell and daughter, Lexy
Lexy (left) & Lezlie (right)
“Lexy grew up in the salon industry,” shares Lezlie. “She was just five years old when I opened Lexy Salon, which was named after her, and she always loved visiting!”
She later married polymer chemist, Jim McConnell and they wanted a better gel line for the salon, so Jim created one. After the roaring success of the range, they decided to sell it, and Light Elegance was born.
Now, Lezlie’s daughter, Lexy, is creative director of the brand, having gained a Graphic Design degree. Lezlie explains: “Lexy and I lead the creative team and choose upcoming nail colours for seasonal collections. We also discuss new product ideas and work closely together on marketing projects, education videos and social media content.”
Lexy adds, “At work, I’m not her daughter; I’m her employee. She expects me to do my job – and do it well!”
Rebecca Isaac
Rebecca Isaac (left) & Chelsea Jade (right)
and daughter, Chelsea Jade
Rebecca shares, “I’ve worked from my home salon, Finicki Nails, for years, so most of my clients have watched Chelsea grow up. In turn, she became accustomed to the salon environment. It was a natural step for her to join the business.” She continues: “Chelsea and I started working together nine years ago, after she qualified as a nail tech, but in between she studied for a fashion degree.”
Ria-Jaine and mum, Linda and son, Jayd’n Sarrington
Ria-Jaine (left) & Linda (second to the left) and Jayd’n (right)
When Ria-Jaine founded finance support business, The Beauty Accountant, she sought to enlist the help of her family. “It had been a dream of mine to create a role for my mum, Linda,” she explains. “She manages salon payroll, client onboarding and email queries.”
Ria-Jaine also offered employment to her son. “We created a role within the business that evolved into an apprenticeship, enabling my son to complete a Level 3 course with the Association of Accountants,” she reveals. “Jayd’n’s role is to look after the bookkeeping: and self-assessment tax returns.”
When asked about her work-life balance with her son, Ria-Jaine adds: “We don’t talk about work outside of the business environment. I’m strict about this, as I don’t want to inflict unnecessary stress on Jayd’n at his young age.”
Read the full feature in our March 2025 issue here
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