Community culture

Explore how to use & navigate online nail forums appropriately with advice from their founders & leaders

A nail community as a general concept has developed and grown over time, with the pandemic and closure of salons marketing a shift in how online spaces are used by nail technicians.

From brand-led forums offering advice on nail systems, to groups providing business, nail art or education tips, these spaces can offer invaluable levels of support and knowledge to techs. However, distinguishing information that is correct and reliable from opinion can be difficult. Negative content in these groups can go beyond misinformation, with hateful or unconstructive comments affecting the confidence of community members.

Read on as Scratch explores the function and purpose of various nail communities, while their founders and leaders serve up advice to make the most of them.

CLAWGASMIC

Clawgasmic Nail Network

The Clawgasmic Nail Network is a monthly membership website containing over 530 nail tutorials, with new nail styles added every Chantelle Johnson weekend. “The site covers builder gel and gel polish application, the latest trends and a wide range of nail art techniques,” comments Chantelle Johnson, co-founder of the Clawgasmic Nail Network. “Members also receive a weekly coaching call to help with any business-related issues they may be facing. “Having a community of like-minded people to learn from, turn to, connect and grow with is incredible. It ensures that you never feel alone, even when working solo,” she continues. “Nail techs can utilise community groups by being active. No question is a silly question, so get involved and ask away!”

As the only admin across the Clawgasmic Nail Network and podcast platforms, Chantelle says she does not tolerate negative comments. “It’s vital to create and keep a positive environment within a nail community, so I do not think twice about removing negative comments or members. As a brand, Clawgasmic stands for positivity, inclusivity, community and all the good things that the nail industry has to offer.”

www.clawgasmic.com

Instagram: @clawgasmic

OPI Nail Boss community

With a shared passion for the OPI brand, the OPI Nail Boss community comprises a group of 35 nail technicians with proven experience in the industry. Within the Facebook group, members are treated to previews of OPI product launches, exclusive discount codes, free year-round access to education and profit-raising opportunities.

“The OPI Nail Boss community is a respectful and professional group of nail techs who embrace the opportunity to network and learn from each other,” says Belinda Price, OPI UK&I education manager. “Running an online community is a team effort and many groups, even the very large ones, will police themselves to an extent.

Belinda Price

If something isn’t right and the admin hasn’t spotted it, then another member can and will report the issue. It’s important not to take things to heart, and we hope that everyone is respectful, but sometimes even the best-placed intentions read wrong or not in the way they were intended to.”

Facebook: #OPINailBoss UK&I

Layla Tourh

Beauty Business Community

The Beauty Business Community is a private Facebook group for Beauty Boss HQ customers, which offers a place to learn and share experiences. It is also a platform whereby techs can showcase their nail work and inspire fellow nail artists, as well as seek feedback and gain exposure. Within the Beauty Business Community group, techs have sought advice and local job opportunities, and salons have collaborated on group projects.

“I use the group to keep the community informed about the latest product launches at the Beauty Boss Academy, as well as company news and events,” comments group founder & MD of Beauty Boss Academy, Layla Tourh. “It’s a great way for me to ensure our community is always kept up-to-date with the latest advancements from nail brand, Entity Beauty.

“My team moderates the group during work hours, which includes monitoring posts, enforcing guidelines and swiftly removing spam or irrelevant content. Automated tools have been introduced to help us take care of the community, such as filters and keyword detectors, but I’m keen to keep it as human-led as possible, so I rely on my team and the group members to keep the space safe and spam-free.”

Facebook: The Beauty Business Community

Glitterbels Training Academy & Nails By Annabel/Glitterbels Support Group

Katie Turner

The Glitterbels Training Academy and the Nails By Annabel/Glitterbels Support Group forums on Facebook offer a space for techs to ask relevant questions and receive constructive feedback. They are positive and supportive communities, in which members can share their love for nails and the Glitterbels brand, and educators can offer advice and support.

“These groups are amazing for anyone thinking about starting their career with Glitterbels, or those on an existing journey with the brand,” explains Glitterbels ambassador, Katie Turner. “The community members offer round-the-clock advice, and any posts that need further feedback are responded to with one-to-one support from the team of Scratch Stars award-winning Glitterbels educators and ambassadors. The group is full of love and passion for all things nails, and members encourage and help one another. It includes posts from people just starting in the industry and those who have worked in it for years, offering their best tips and tricks, such as photo-taking advice and social media support.”

Facebook: Glitterbels Training Academy

Facebook: Nails By Annabel/Glitterbels Support Group

Nail Tech Tribe

Joanna Tompkin

Nail Tech Tribe is a free Facebook community for sole trader nail technicians and beauticians seeking Joanna Tompkins business success, run by Joanna Tompkins, Scratch Stars Awards Nail Business Mentor of the Year 2023. The community includes 18,000 nail techs who seek to gain confidence in their beauty business, boost income and attract more clients. Joanna offers access to the mindset and strategy they need for success in their business.

“The benefits of nail communities such as Nail Tech Tribe are the inspiration and motivation they provide. You can get the answer to anything you need to know with hundreds of viewpoints, suggestions and support with just a few taps of your keyboard,” she explains. “The biggest drawback I see is a bigger opportunity for comparison with others. For some, this can impact confidence and growth.

“Community groups can be incredible, but you need to be careful who you listen to,” Joanna continues. “It would be more beneficial to be in one or two communities that align with areas in which you need support, rather than multiple groups – as this can be overwhelming.

“When making use of these groups, it’s important to remember that the better the question, the better the answer. Keep background information concise and to the point when asking questions. Give a couple of options that you think would resolve your problem and ask for opinions from those who have successfully dealt with and overcome similar issues.

“As an admin of a large group, I don’t have the time or inclination to deal with drama, so I immediately turn off comments if I don’t like how the conversation is developing.

I will add a comment stating why and try to help the person who asked the question.”

Scan here to watch Scratch’s interview with Joanna Tompkins about the Nail Tech Tribe community

Facebook: Nail Tech Tribe

The Beauty Build

Zaara King

The Beauty Build Facebook group for nail and beauty professionals was launched to uplift the industry and support beauty businesses as they grow. Founded by beauty therapist,

Zaara King, the group encourages all members to ask questions and seek advice, to which Zaara replies in the comments. She also hosts live training sessions on topics including pricing, policies, setting boundaries, attracting clients and building a profitable beauty business.

“The information is invaluable, and I strongly encourage nail techs to utilise it,” Zaara says. “I wish groups were around when I started out in the industry! Any negative comments or misinformation in my group is removed. It’s a safe space for everyone to feel equally supported, and one of my main rules is give as much as you take from the group.”

Facebook: The Beauty Build – For Women Balancing Life & The Beauty Business Of Dreams

Suzanne Clayton

Nail Tech Awareness (NTA)

Created by Scratch Stars Awards 2023 finalist for the Services to the Nail Industry award, Suzanne Clayton, Nail Tech Awareness (NTA) is a Facebook group that has amassed over 42,000 members, run by Suzanne and supported by three moderators.

“Many in this industry struggle with loneliness, so NTA offers a platform for techs to share and learn. They discuss business, products and education,” Suzanne reveals. “There’s a lot of misinformation in the industry, and I want to ensure techs are given equal access to the correct and same information. NTA is not brand-led, so techs can be honest and open if they’re having difficulties, but it can be tricky within groups to know which information is correct.”

Suzanne and the moderators use keyword alerts to highlight when specific words are commented, and moderators are also notified when posts receive an influx of replies, so they can help keep comments constructive and helpful. 

“In the NTA group, we will suspend members for several days if they are found to be rude or unkind, and will remove anyone that continues that behaviour,” Suzanne explains. “If wrong information is given, we remove comments and let the poster know why it was removed. Quite often, it’s a comment that’s either abusive, offense or unveils bullying.”

Facebook: Nail Tech Awareness

Louella Belle Professionals

The Louella Belle Professionals group on Facebook seeks to encourage conversations between its 5.7k members, so they can share tips and uplift one another. Members include nail professionals, beauticians, salon owners and Louella Belle brand ambassadors, educators and experts, who are offered exclusive access to sales and new product launches. Louella Belle also runs giveaways and competitions within the group. Suzanne Clayton, Louella Belle’s head of education & brand development, hosts regular Facebook Live sessions in the group to showcase new products and answer questions. Some of Suzanne’s Facebook Live sessions have included swatch parties of the latest Artistic shades and live demos of products, such as the Artistic Builder Gels and Velvet Magnet Gels.

Brand ambassadors also host Facebook Live sessions within the Louella Belle Professionals group, including demonstrations of the Footlogix pedicure process or nail services with Famous Names products.

With a clear set of rules regarding behaviour and respect in the group, all members are expected to be professional, confirmed with simple screening questions upon request to enter. The group also has rules such as no selling or spamming of information.

Facebook: Louella Belle Professionals