TECHS & SALONS

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Lancashire tech: The local council didn’t recognise my nail & beauty salon as a valid business

By Lilly Delmage | 22 February 2025

Owner of The Nail & Beauty Lounge, Julie McCabe, shares the challenges she faced when trying to set up her business, as well as its growth and success… Julie McCabe was excited to open her salon after finding the perfect space. She details: “It is a former hair salon in…

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Nail & beauty apprenticeships: salons share benefits, their experiences & advice

By Rebecca Hitchon | 16 February 2025

In a recent poll on Scratch’s Instagram, almost 80% of respondents shared that they’re considering taking on apprentices. Here, two UK salons share how they’ve reaped the rewards of the apprenticeship process… Nailspa, West Yorkshire “As a business owner, I believe that when it comes to employees, you cannot beat…

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Ashford beauty salon: how exceptional customer service creates relaxing client experiences

By Lilly Delmage | 15 February 2025

Sarah Webb, owner of Bella’s Little Nail Boutique, takes pride in her standout beauty services, which place an emphasis on the client experience. Working in customer service for over 20 years, Sarah knows how to offer clients an exceptional appointment. She explains: “My clients receive a coffee and biscuits, and…

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Salon in the Spotlight: You Beauty, Leeds

By Callie Iley | 23 June 2021

After working in the industry since 2013, Rachel Dobson jumped at the chance to open her salon, when space became available in November 2020. “Since opening in December, I have already expanded when Danielle joined in April,” Rachel explains. “I plan to expand further by adding another two therapists to…

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NAIL TECH TALK: Oksana Smirnova, Scratch Stars finalist 20/21

By Lilly Delmage | 22 June 2021

Scratch Stars Gel Tech of the Year finalist 20/21, Oksana Smirnova, shares how she discovered her passion for nails, how it felt to be announced as a finalist and her next career steps… Tell us about your nail industry journey… I started my career as a nail technician in 2009,…

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Fathers Day Nails Feature

Meet the fathers that have found fame in the nail industry

By Helena Biggs | 19 June 2021

Scratch puts the spotlight on famous nail industry dads & finds out more about them from their offspring… SAMUEL SWEET, co-founder/CEO, Sweet Squared, & his son, Dexter Samuel Sweet has always been creative and, showing a talent for artistry, he was invited to work at his great aunt’s salon and…

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NAIL TECH TALK: Kat Crammon of Katz Klawz Luxury Nail Bar

By Callie Iley | 19 June 2021

Scratch chats to Kat Crammon of Katz Klawz Luxury Nail Bar about her transition from teaching assistant to nail tech and how she has grown her business since 2020… Before branching into nails, I was a teaching assistant. I competed the training when my son was young and it was…

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Salon in the Spotlight: Blush + Blow, Fulham, London

By Callie Iley | 15 June 2021

Business-savvy Bridget O’Keeffe launched a blow dry bar and beauty salon in 2015, yet has since expanded her services to diversify her clientele. “I wanted to include much more specialised treatments,” Bridget explains. “We now offer an aesthetics clinic with two doctors, a skin clinic led by Abbi Ingram, and…

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Nail educator Rachel Lunn discusses the attitude towards nail education, the importance of elevating industry standards & the power of practice

By Alex Fox | 13 June 2021

Great expectations …by Rachel Lunn @rachel­.lunn_nails https://m.facebook.com/The-Nailroom-254269057922527/ @rachel­.lunn_nails I trained as a nail tech in 2003. Gel polish had not yet been born and the trend was pink & white acrylic enhancements, one colour polish or a manicure. Nails were just starting to grow into a more popular service that everyone…

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