She is a lead educator for one of many largest international gel nail manufacturers, however Sarah Thompson didn’t all the time know her calling can be in nails…or nail schooling.
Nevertheless, the skilled nail trade saved calling to her, and although she even tried to depart it as soon as, it saved bringing her again. She lastly was the place she was meant to be with the model she was meant to be with. Be a part of us as we go on her nail journey!
Nailpro (NP): When/how did you understand that being a nail technician was your calling?
Sarah Thompson (ST): I’ve all the time favored doing nails or getting my nails performed, however I didn’t get into the trade till after my son was born. I didn’t need to return to my former job as it could imply he can be with a babysitter for 12 hours, so my husband and I have been brainstorming what I might do nearer to dwelling. My husband recommended I get into doing nails as a result of my nail tech on the time, Roberta, was tremendous busy after which I might make my very own schedule!
I contacted Roberta to talk, and he or she thought it was a good suggestion that I pursue this. Then she gave me a quantity for a lady with whom I might prepare one on one. I used to be solely licensed a pair weeks when Roberta knowledgeable me that she and her husband have been transferring to Atlanta, Georgia, and he or she needed to know if she might put my identify on a listing for her purchasers. So, I began with an honest clientele.
NP: Inform me about your nail journey through the years?
ST: I ended up doing nails for 13 years out of my dwelling studio, and I started pursuing pictures on the facet. Each proved to be an excessive amount of, so I gave up nails to discover this new profession in addition to working at my husband’s enterprise.
It was nice for a bit, however then I used to be contacted by a few girls who needed me to do their nails as they hadn’t discovered a nail tech they needed to stick with since me. So, I arrange a small house at my husband’s auto physique restore store, and that’s the place my nail journey began again up. It was good to do your work and go dwelling with cash in your pocket and never have hours of photograph enhancing to do. I questioned what I used to be pondering once I gave up nails!
I labored out of there briefly earlier than transferring to my pictures studio, after which my husband and I opened a tanning and nail salon in our small downtown space. The salon was superb, and I’m tremendous happy with what we had constructed, however I noticed after virtually 5 years, I used to be not a boss form of particular person, so I offered our salon and moved again dwelling simply because the world shut down in March of 2020. I spent the following three months throughout lockdown taking workshop after workshop with nail artwork, however I additionally took prep lessons, which have been my favourite.
NP: How did you come to The GelBottle?
ST: The merchandise that I had educated with and used faithfully for 17 years weren’t working for me nor for my nail technicians on the salon — I used to be sad with the outcomes and began to fret about our purchasers’ nail well being. A girl I adopted on Instagram who used the identical merchandise I had was making an attempt out The GelBottle, so I requested why she was switching over. She defined she was having all the identical points I used to be. Then I reached out to The GelBottle who put me in contact with TGB President/CEO Michael “Mike” Hollman within the U.S. because it had simply launched there earlier that 12 months. After a pair months of chatting with him, I positioned my first order, leaping in with each toes and never turning again. It was the very best resolution I ever made.
My purchasers whose nails barely maintained for 3 weeks beforehand have been now getting long-lasting outcomes of over 4 weeks, they usually have been coming in saying, “What are you utilizing on my nails? They’ve by no means been higher!”
NP: What led you to get into schooling for The GelBottle?
ST: Mike had talked about The GelBottle Academy coming to the U.S. and had requested if it was one thing I’d be serious about for Canada. Initially, I wasn’t certain as a result of I didn’t assume I had the endurance for it — it seems I do, and I fairly take pleasure in it.
I flew to California the primary week in March of 2020 to assist the launch of the Academy within the U.S., and I used to be enthusiastic about turning into the educator in Canada, however the world shut down two weeks after that and put it on maintain. Later in 2021, Mike and Helena Bonney, the top of the Academy, reached out to see if I’d nonetheless have an interest, which I used to be, so we relaunched my first programs in March of 2022.
My ardour for schooling grew as a result of once I first began utilizing nail merchandise, there weren’t movies like there are actually, and the Academy didn’t exist. It was all trial and error with what labored and what didn’t. I didn’t need anyone to wrestle like that, and I needed to assist train individuals about merchandise and easy methods to use them correctly whereas giving suggestions and tips I had realized alongside the best way.
NP: What positions or occasions helped you turn out to be an incredible educator?
ST: Sadly, my first mistake was after I did my preliminary coaching, I didn’t do any continued schooling after that. I didn’t take a refresher course till December 2019! 19 years of doing nails with no refresher was an enormous mistake.
I found Chrissy Pierce, a U.Ok. nail tech and educator, was touring from the U.Ok. to show a course in British Columbia, so I flew west and took my very first continued schooling class, and I might have cried. The nail world had developed a lot and left me sitting within the mud. I had no concept what an apex was or easy methods to construct it. My thoughts was completely blown, and from that time on, I vowed to by no means cease studying.
NP: What do you like about working for The GelBottle?
ST: Firstly, it could be my U.S. crew. They’re all superb, and we’ve turn out to be a bit household. Secondly, I’ve met so many unbelievable individuals and sensible nail techs due to TGB, together with these from lessons I’ve taught or magnificence exhibits we have now attended.
NP: What are you hoping for the way forward for your profession within the nail trade?
ST: I’m hoping to be higher than I’m in the present day each as a nail tech and a trainer. I additionally need to develop as an individual and develop my enterprise, so who is aware of…However, I’m wishing it’s one thing extraordinary!
NP: What adjustments are you hoping for in nail technician schooling transferring ahead?
ST: On-line schooling is helpful in case you have fundamental data of a topic, however I’m a really hands-on particular person, so I discover it practically not possible to be taught one thing new on-line. Due to this fact, I hope individuals serious about doing nails don’t rely solely on YouTube or Instagram to find out about merchandise or methods; they need to take the time to finish in-person coaching and licensure. We’re engaged on revamping our Academy curriculum, and I’m excited to see TGB stage up our coaching.
NP:What are your favourite sorts of nails/designs to do?
ST: I like clear and traditional with minimal nail artwork, whether or not it’s a easy nude builder or a strong colour. Then once more, I’ve days the place I’d love so as to add crystals to each nail; it will depend on my temper.
NP: If there’s one piece of recommendation you can give a brand new nail tech, what would it not be?
ST: Don’t be too arduous on your self while you’re simply beginning out, however all the time take pleasure in your work, and be fussy, searching for these high-quality particulars. At all times attempt to be higher than you have been yesterday, don’t examine your self to others, and by no means ever cease studying.
