South Devon tech: At 30 I decided to train as a nail technician – and I’ve never looked back
By Lilly Delmage | 29 November 2024 | Feature, Salon & Spas, Tech Talk
Having undergone a career swap at the age of 30, Devon-based nail tech Bonni Higson, the owner of Bonni File’n’Style in Dawlish, shares her story…
After having children, Bonni decided to train as a nail technician. She says: “I enrolled at South Devon College and qualified at NVQ level 2 in 2016. After realising just how much I loved it, I then carried on at college and passed my NVQ level 3 in 2017.”
Freshly qualified, the tech split her time between working at a local salon and mobile work, which allowed her to work around family commitments for her four children. However, this soon became increasingly difficult, and her husband came up with a solution: “He had the brilliant idea of converting our garage into my beautiful salon.”
“From start to completion, it took around two weeks, and I was constantly entertained by my husband’s screams every time he found a spider!” the tech laughs. “When it came to the decorating, we even managed to hang wallpaper together without filing for divorce!”
Speaking of decorating, Bonni’s decor choices stemmed from her desire for a ‘warm and welcoming’ aesthetic. She says, “I wanted to design a space where my clients would feel at home for that one-to-one beauty experience. So, we added an electric wall-mounted fire at the salon’s entrance, and LED lights glowing around the circumference of the ceiling. A light brickwork wallpaper covers the wall behind my nail bar adorned with the range of colours that I offer.”
Located just 100 yards from Dawlish Beach, the salon attracts a variety of clients, from teenagers to the elderly. Her clientele can choose from a range of treatments, most opting for her highly popular service – nail enhancements. She also offers manicures, pedicures, gel polish, builder gel, acrylic nail enhancements, and hand-painted nail art.
“I like to support my local wholesalers, Aston & Fincher, who supply me with NSI acrylic products, HARA Gel Polish and Builder Gel, IBD Gel Polish and any other items needed for my nail services.”
When asked about her favourite part running the business, she said: “I love that I took the risk of going into business on my own, and that, after five years, I’m still going strong and enjoying it more than ever. I love to make people feel better about themselves, and my aim is that everyone leaves with a smile on their face.”
Though she still has goals for the salon’s future, she adds, ‘I hope word continues to spread about my business and that it’s always mentioned in high regard. I also want to continue making my clients happy and hope that they look forward to coming seeing me as much as I look forward to seeing them!”