Nail Technician. It is the job that people would ask 'what the hell is that?'. It was never what I had planned, but everything was in the right place at the right time for me when I began doing nails professionally.
I landed a job in nails after being spotted by a high street salon for my own nail art. I worked in that same nail salon for a number of years where I trained in house and first started out. I loved it there. I left the salon when I became pregnant with my first child.. and whilst pregnant, I decided that I would work to help improve the outlook of vulnerable children and young people with Social Services. I soon realised that for various reasons, my endeavour to make a difference there would not work out, and after failing philosophy for the second time towards a Psychology degree, the course lecturer asked me if I had considered studying something less heavy to suit my then challenging life conditions. I reconsidered my route and left the degree and children's services behind.
I chose to retrain in Design and Interior Design. It was so much fun.. just as fun as one of my very first jobs as a food designer at my local deli.
'Fail often in order to succeed' - that was the motto of one class. So true. I really enjoyed doing design.
After completing the two courses just as the 2008 - 2009 financial crisis was happening, and with all advice being 'now is not the time for interior design', I chose to return to my original nail technician trade, back behind the nail table again. Things were different by now. The old salon owners had left, and I was shocked to find that other salons had vastly reduced employment wages for my line of work. The beauty industry was not showing any signs of strain in my eyes. There might have been more competition on the high street, but the industry was thriving. I knew what I was doing to a point, and so I made another choice.
I solidified my previous in salon nail training and work with an official set of certificated nail courses, grabbed myself some public liability insurance, and went on to open and build my own small business as a sole trader. I was often invited to rent a table or space at various salons and events, whilst I also provided a mobile nail technician and spray tanning service for people in their own homes and locations. I absolutely loved my work. The people who booked me were always fantastic.. especially at wedding bookings which were just wonderful to be a part of.
Working with people has always been important to me, no matter which sphere that line of work is in, and whilst providing someone a nail service is still not always the lightest of work.. it is the way that works for me as well as for all of you wonderful clients. The feedback that I receive always warms my heart and I hope to continue to provide this service for as long as I possibly can, even if only on a small scale these days. I truly love this great line of work.
In my personal time I love baking, listening to music, writing, spending time with my grown up Son, gardening, and observing the world and human behaviour in my lifelong hobby as a Social Scientist. I also take private consultancy bookings in this capacity and specialise in various areas of abusive behaviour.
I may not have achieved my degree, however life experience sure went on to continue to teach me anyway, and teach me well it did. Every day of my life is considered as another opportunity to learn, something that a degree on paper could never replace.
I look forward to catching up with you at our next booking,
Rachel x
nailsinwales since 1998.