The Manchester tech who created her ‘dream nail salon’ in 4 days
By Lilly Delmage | 25 September 2024 | Feature, Salon & Spas, Tech Talk
Olivia Riley is the Bolton-based tech behind Olivia May Studio, a space she transformed into the salon of her dreams in just four days.
The manicurist got the keys to her salon just two weeks before opening day, she reveals, “We completed the work in a total of four days (over the space of two weeks)”.
She continues, “I had a blank canvas to work with and knew exactly what my vision was. Luckily, I had the help of my supportive family to make it come to life!”
It was all-hands-on-deck, with Olivia’s family and friends working hard before opening day, she explains, “We were working until 8:45pm the night before, it felt like an episode of 60-minute makeover!”
Having delegated the roles, she said, “I was busing clearing out old unwanted products, I had my stepdad building shelves, my sister putting up my logo, my boyfriend helping stock my cupboards and my mum and my brother-in-law cleaning my gel bottles!”
“I couldn’t have done it without them, I am so proud of what we achieved,” she smiles.
She based her interior design around a painted arch which displays her gel bottles on shelves: “I had seen the idea of the painted arch on TikTok, and I couldn’t get it out of my head!”
To complement the feature wall, she opted for a white, gold and neutral colour palette: “I chose white furniture to keep it clean and match the white walls, and accessorised with gold accents, candles and plants/pampas.”
“I have always loved neutrals, I feel they are very on-trend and have been proven to be soothing and calming, hopefully giving my clients a feel of serenity when they walk into the room,” she continues.
Creating a positive and relaxing space is her priority, she reveals, “My neutral colours are calming and gentle on the eye, my plants will produce oxygen to help bring life to the room, and my candles should relieve stress. I want my clients to leave the studio feeling fresh and reset, ready for the rest of the day (with an amazing set of nails to match!).”
Located above a boutique shop on her local high street in Westhoughton, Bolton, both businesses benefit from one another: “We complement each other well, my clients will browse the shop on their way to their appointment and their customers can come to me for their nails.”
While she offers builder gel, gel polish and acrylic nail services, she is particularly passionate about nail art. She says, “I am one of the very few salons in the area that offers a high skill of nail artistry, and I won the award for Nail Artist of the Year in the North West Hair and Beauty Awards 2024.”
