KATE Jenkinson may only have been in the nail business for a few months but she has six years’ experience and a lifelong passion for making hands and feet look good.

Here in our latest Meet The Nail Technician feature, Kate tells us how she finally managed to make her dream business a reality.

If you would like to appear in one of our Meet The Salon Owner, Meet The Makeup Artist or Meet The Beauty Therapist features email heidi.summerfield@newsquest.co.uk

What’s your full name?

Kate Jenkinson

How old are you?

24

What’s the name of the salon/business?

Kate Olivia Designs, based at L.E.A Hair

What’s the address?

2 Dudley Street, WA27BG

Are you the owner/manager?

I own Kate Olivia Designs but it’s actually Kath Marsh who owns L.E.A Hair as I rent my space from her.

How many employees do you have?

I’m self-employed but I work in tandem with the other nail techs at L.E.A. We all have our own individual brands but we always give each other a helping hand and advice when we need it. We collaborate a lot and it’s genuinely a wonderful environment to work in. We are all very supportive of each other.

When did you open the business?

The salon itself has been open for a couple of years. I chose to open my business roughly four months ago and I’ve been operational for two months.

Has it always been in the same location?

L.E.A hair has been in the same location since it opened. Its success has gone through the charts - I’ve never seen a salon as busy!

Are you local to the area? Did you grow up here?

I grew up in Winwick.

Tell me a bit about your salon/business

My business is a long-standing dream that has finally become a reality. So far, it’s received a lot of love and support from the community, spearheaded by Kath Marsh who rented the space to me. She had a gut feeling about my business and I’m grateful to her for that.

Before and after nail treatment

Before and after nail treatment

 

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What do you do? What services do you provide?

I am a nail technician. Technically, I’m still a student but I have more than six years’ experience in the field. I’ll be qualified in February. I provide nail care and enhancement services such as acrylic, builder gel, luxury manicures and pedicures, all of which are focussed on making sure the clients’ nails become healthier and stronger over time. I provide advice, aftercare and samples to ensure the main goal - saving the clients’ nail health and its longevity.

Why did you decide to open your own salon?

It’s been a long-standing dream to open my own business. After a series of hardships over the past few years, I realised that I needed to do something for myself - something that mattered. I’d been pushed for years to do this and I always refused, believing it would fail, but I’m very happy to say it’s not! Fingers crossed I can stay on this trajectory.

What’s your hair and beauty background?

I started getting my nails done after high school. Before that, I did my own nails using press-ons and nail polish. This was definitely an experience! When I started getting acrylic enhancements, I would watch and be fascinated with the process. It was like creating art but on the tiniest of canvases. What I didn’t realise at the time, was I was essentially soaking up how to do it myself. When the nail tech I’d been with for two years left, I decided I was going to do it myself and that started my six-year journey.

Why this type of business?

Getting your nails done just does something to you. It makes you feel good, whether it’s a classic manicure that makes you feel put together or a triple x length acrylic set covered in gems that makes you feel like you have infinite attitude. It’s pure expression and a lot of people feel empowered by their nails as it’s an extension of their personality.

How does the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic affect your business?

I wasn’t open during the pandemic but I worked throughout it in the health and social care sector. I did end up changing my nails myself weekly through boredom!

 

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What makes your business different to others in the same area/field? What sets your business apart from your competitors?

My business is all about creating a safe space for my clients, making people feel at ease with me so they can get the most out of their treatments and focusing on their natural nail and skin health. So many clients have given feedback saying their nails feel stronger and healthier already. I’m really proud of the progress each and every one of my clients has made so far - they really are the heart of my business and I make sure they know that.

Why do loyal clients return to your business?

I would like to think that it’s because I listen to them and I take their wants and needs into account, customising each and every set to them individually. There isn’t a one size fits all category when it comes to my clients as they’re all so unique themselves and they deserve nails equally as unique.

What’s next? What do the next few months hold for you and your salon?

There are a few new exciting ventures that I’m looking to bring in this year but I’m mostly just excited about continuing to take care of my clients both new and long-standing.