Sweet Squared

I have always been fascinated by everything 'beauty', and from a young age could often be found craftily painting my nails in a corner - much to the amusement of my mother.
 
After completing secondary and sixth form education at a prestigious girls' grammar school, I felt under pressure to further my education in a way that would result in a career that paid well, a career in a 'corporate' setting.  The problem was that nothing but a topic I was truly passionate about would tempt me to attend university, yet none of the courses that would lead me to that 'corporate' job appealed to me.  So I decided against university and somehow fell into a career in financial services.  The sad thing is that at that point in my life I didn't consider anything the beauty industry to be suitable for me - as much as I would've loved it, I felt that 'more' was expected of me.
 
I worked in financial services for five years before I finally saw the light; before I recognised that what appealed to me might just be what I was supposed to do with my life. 

I also realised that a career in the beauty industry can be far from the 'unintelligent' option I had considered it to be - as with anything, you get out what you put in.  I had been having my nails done for several years and that had given me the desire to learn to do them too, so I trained - first in manicure, and later in nail extensions - made nails my 'day job' and never looked back.
I worked mobile, then salon-based, then returned to mobile in 2005 when my beautiful daughter was born.  I was so glad to no longer be a bank manager: I had a job that enabled me to utilise my creativity, a job where - as a self-employed mobile therapist - I could pick and choose my hours and not have to miss out on time enjoying being a mum.
In 2010, when I had spent seven years as a qualified nail technician, the industry took an exciting turn: a revolutionary new product, using brand new technology was released by CND that would change the way we technicians work dramatically.  A technology that would see ladies who had always painted their own nails, suddenly become interested in receiving regular manicures from a qualified nail professional.  I am, of course, referring to Shellac. 

Shellac turned my part-time diary - that earned a little 'treat' money for the family - into a mass of appointments: morning, noon and night-time.  As a technician, I loved the workability of Shellac; the businesswoman in me couldn't help but be thrilled with the overwhelming demand from clients - existing and new - for the product.
When I heard that CND were looking for Shellac Education Ambassadors, I just had the most fantastic feeling that the job was made for me.  I made the decision to apply and was fortunate that my application was successful and I was asked to attend to Shellac Auditions in March 2011.  Shellac Auditions were a real eye-opener: I was among some of the best nail technicians in the country, so imagine my delight (and astonishment!) when Samuel called me with an invite to the UK CND Bootcamp 2011.  I had the most amazing time and graduated Shellac Bootcamp in May 2011, with the added honour of being awarded Best Academics.
So now I am in the wonderful position of having my dream job.  I have been a working nail technician for eight years (and still operate a salon and mobile-based business to this day), so I truly understand the needs and concerns of my students.  I feel so privileged to represent the nail care industry's most innovative company, not to mention fortunate to be able to give something back to the industry that has given me so much.