Nail Tech Talk: Denise Maples of Onestop Nails
By Callie Iley | 12 August 2023 | Feature, Tech Talk
Attending Olympia Beauty with a nail technician friend, Denise Maples became enthralled in the world of nails, making the decision to train and qualify herself.
A single parent to three sons, Denise was working as a cleaner during school hours to make ends meet, with one of her jobs based in the house of a nail technician. “She was kind enough to let me watch her work and tag along to the Olympia Beauty shows,” she remembers. “I became hooked!”
Qualifying in manicures, gel polish and hard gel extensions using the IBD system, Denise went on to work in two local nail salons before taking the leap to self-employment.
“One of the salons I worked in used the NSI Gel System, which I loved. I did a conversion course with the salon owner and have continued to use their gels for 20 years since.”
“I also did my acrylic and E-file qualification after spending the first 16 years of my career hand filing – I wish I’d trained sooner! I now use CJP for its Acrylic System and BOB range, alongside my NSI Hard Gel and it’s builder gel in a bottle range.”
“Being an older tech in a younger industry meant I needed to be versatile. I love the artistic side to nails and creating nail art, and I have a very varied client base with a range of preferences.
“I knew I needed to up my nail art game, so I spent time watching videos and scrolling through social media,” she reveals. “I love watching videos by Kirsty Meakin and Chantelle Vermouth of Clawgasmic.”
Denise notes that watching video content inspires her to practise herself, something which she finds therapeutic and relaxing to engage with.
“I tend to use my gel polish colours and gel paints for most of my designs, and acrylic powders for 3D designs,” she says.
Reflecting on the period in lockdown when businesses were closed, Denise remembers an emotional time of being home alone, unable to see her family, finding solace in her nail room where she spent hours practising her nail art skills and creating press-on nails. “I was trying to keep my mood up and it certainly helped – who would have thought that nails would be my saviour! There’s always more to learn.”
“I decided to turn a negative into a positive. With the help of Danni Simmons, founder of the Nail Tech Network, and its ambassadors, I decided to qualify to become an educator. There were times I thought I’d bitten off more than I could chew, especially with my age and being menopausal,” Denise recalls. “I was so elated to have passed.”
“I now have a qualification TQUK Level 3 in Education and training. I wrote my own teaching manuals and lesson plans and got ABT accredited.
“I’m now helping others to share my passion and knowledge by becoming their educator, helping qualification techs brush up on areas they aren’t so confident in, while still working full time as a nail tech. Nails really are my world.”