NAILS BY LOLA

When I first started NAILS BY LOLA, I hadn’t a clue what I was doing. I was 17 years old, had just left school with only one GCSE (in Art, if you couldn’t guess), and had absolutely no plan for my future. All I knew was that I loved being creative, I was fairly good at art, and I had a passion for making things beautiful.

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I had always followed a few nail technicians on Instagram, in awe of their work and often thinking, "I wish I could do that." Inspired by their creativity, I decided to save up my money while working as a receptionist at a local hair salon. As soon as I had enough, I booked my first course and got qualified as a nail technician and bought my first nail desk. I practised in the spare bedroom of my mum's house on friends and family until I felt confident enough to take on real clients. I couldn’t have done it without their support!

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As I slowly became more confident, the hair salon I was working at offered me the opportunity to rent a space there to build up my clientele, which was so kind. Obviously, I jumped at the chance, as it was the helping hand I needed to get started. I will forever be grateful for this and hope that one day I can do the same for someone else.​ I worked alongside senior hair colourists and stylists, learning how to treat clients and provide top-quality services. This experience taught me the importance of building relationships with clients, understanding their needs, and ensuring they felt valued and comfortable throughout their experience. It wasn’t just about the technical skills; it was about creating an atmosphere where people felt confident and cared for. I worked there for an amazing few years, building up my client base, with some clients I still have to this very day.

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Sadly, when the COVID-19 lockdown started, I had to stop working altogether. It was such a tricky time for nail techs, as we weren’t deemed essential workers and were among the very last to be able to return to work. It felt like a setback, but it also gave me the chance to reflect and think about what I truly wanted for my future. During that time, I poured myself into learning more about nails, exploring new techniques, and experimenting with creative designs. I also decided to use this downtime to build my online presence, sharing my nail art and techniques on social media, while staying connected with my clients. Additionally, I completed online training courses via Zoom to continue developing my skills. Through it all, I found the support and inspiration I needed to keep moving forward, even when things felt uncertain. 

 

Once all the restrictions were lifted, I made the decision to leave the hair salon, feeling that I had outgrown it and was ready for a fresh start. Now, I won’t bore you with every minor detail, but here’s the short and sweet of it all. I moved part-time into a space above a shop in the village where the salon was located, giving me more room for new clients. I also worked from a studio in my garden that I had built during lockdown. After a few years of juggling both spaces, I realised I couldn’t keep hauling all my products back and forth anymore—it was taking a toll on my back with the sheer number of gel colours I had to bring. So, I made the decision to go full-time working from home. It was a huge step, as most of my long-term clients didn’t live nearby, so it felt like a risk, but one I needed to take to push my business in the right direction.

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The decision to work from home allowed me to really focus on what mattered most—creating high-quality nails and offering a more personal, comfortable experience for my clients. I invested in upgrading my studio to make it more professional, and soon after, word began to spread. My client base grew, and I found myself busier than ever, which was both exciting and overwhelming at times. But looking back, it was the best decision I could have made. It gave me the freedom to be more creative, work with clients who truly valued my work, and really focus on what I wanted to achieve in this industry.

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As my business continued to grow, I realised there was still so much more I could do. This led me to my next big leap—becoming a nail educator. I wanted to share my knowledge and help aspiring nail technicians build their skills, just like I did. Helping others grow and succeed in the same way I had was a huge part of my vision for the future of NAILS BY LOLA. And here we are today—on a journey I never could have predicted, but one I’m incredibly proud of.

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​- Lola x