Self-employment help for nail techs: interior design, safety & more considerations
By Lilly Delmage | 02 March 2025 | Business, Expert Advice, Feature
As a self-employed tech, you can take control over your nail environment: from interior design and décor to cleaning schedules and product inventories. Here’s everything you need to know about tailoring your business to you…
Interior design
Kirsty Brown
If working solo from a home salon or rented space, your aesthetic allows your creativity to flow – from the colour palette and furniture, to display units and personalised touches.
Kirsty Brown, owner of Paintbrush Nails, Stirling, Scratch Stars Home Nail Salon of the Year 2024, notes the importance of considered choices: “Your home salon needs to represent your personal style, rather than follow trends. You will end up spending a lot of time in the space, so you need to feel happy and comfortable.”
Pink is a popular choice for salon décor, promoting a restful, pretty space, or create a spa-like, serene ambience by utilising neutral hues. Alternatively, decorate your walls with personal prints, quotes and achievements to showcase your beliefs and interests.
Minimising fumes & dust
Kirsty Parker
The nature of nail services means nail techs are constantly exposed to dust and chemical vapours, which can cause health concerns. This is an experience that two-time Scratch Stars Educator of the Year finalist, Kirsty Parker, can relate to. She says: “When working in a salon, I always left with a headache and a dripping nose, and I still suffer with sinus problems years later.” After relocating to her home salon, she decided something needed to change. Kirsty invested in a fume and dust extraction system from Vodex, which she claims changed her life. She notes: “I can’t imagine working without Vodex products. The air and my desk are so much cleaner.”
Kit tips & picks
Ria-Jaine Lincoln
“When starting out, don’t overspend on products,” advises Ria-Jaine Lincoln, aka The Beauty Accountant. “It can be tempting to buy the latest gel polish collection or glitter bundle, but start with the core products that you need and build your colour range as you grow. This makes it easier for clients to choose nail colours or art, and is rewarding when you get to treat yourself to a new colour or product.”
Jade Thornhill
If you work on a mobile basis, it can be challenging to know exactly which, and how many, products to carry with you. Jade Thornhill, Scratch Stars Mobile Nailist of the Year finalist 2024 & Bio Sculpture manicurist from Kent, shares what’s inside her mobile kitbag:
• “Portable table: My clients love being able to sit comfortably on their sofas with the table in front of them, and it eliminates the risk of damage to their dining tables from product spills.
• Clean set of tools and dust extractor filter for each client: This means I don’t need to clean them when on the move, which can be challenging.
• Anti-bacterial wipes and/or spray: These are for spraying down my table, arm rest, lamp and dust extractor when I’m packing away my kit.
• Small bin bags: I use these to take rubbish and my towels away with me.
• Long extension lead: This is for environments where power outlets are limited.”
Health, safety & hygiene measures
Physical safety pointers
Joanna Tompkins
For those working from different locations, Joanna Tompkins, founder of business growth support communities, Nail Tech Tribe and Nail Business Success Club & Scratch Stars Nail Business Mentor of the Year 2023, shares her tips. She says: “I always make sure someone else knows where I am. I contact friends or family when leaving each mobile appointment and ring every new client before going to their location. Remember to always trust your gut and if you don’t feel comfortable, make an excuse and leave.”
Jade Thornhill adds: “You could also offer a small discount or incentives to clients that refer their friends. That way, you won’t be travelling to the homes of complete strangers.”
Hygiene help
Coco Hocken
“Correct hygiene protocol is the cornerstone of a successful, professional and trusted nail business,” explains Coco Hocken, marketing lead for Renscene Ltd, producer of BARBICIDE® disinfectant products. “Without stringent hygiene regimes and proper tool and surface disinfection, there is the risk of bacterial, fungal and viral infections spreading.”
Nigel Rouse
To prevent this, Kirsty Parker offers up advice: “I make a bag for each client containing their files, buffers and orange wood sticks. Everything is single-use to ensure cleanliness. Also make sure you have written a health & safety policy, keep an accident log up-to-date and always have a first aid kit to hand.”
“Mobile pros are just as responsible for maintaining high levels of hygiene as those who are salon-based,” notes Nigel Rouse, owner of disinfectants supplier, Mundo Professional. “Mobile techs could consider disinfectant or sanitising skin wipes rather than sprays or gels, to minimise the risk of product spills.”
Click here to read the full feature on self-employment via Scratch’s digital magazine.
Read the latest issue
