TECH TALK

Scottish nail pro, DEBBIE ANDERSON, shares how she overcame homelessness to triumph in the nail sector

From an early age, Debbie Anderson felt a deep connection to her creative side and was often found with a pencil in hand, doodling whatever came to mind. It wasn’t just a hobby or a pastime; it was something that fuelled her spirit. “My teachers often told me that I’d never make a career out of doodling, and that I should stop wasting my time. But I never listened,” she recalls. “I was easily lost in painting, sketching and crafting, and knew early on that I wanted it to be a part of my life’s work. In fact, I was determined to make creativity my career, whatever form it would take.” some much harder than mine. I realised how different my upbringing had been compared to some of the other residents. Unfortunately, this made me a target for theft and assaults. I was constantly stressed, emotionally drained and physically exhausted. I became severely underweight and would pull my hair out due to stress. The experience was isolating, and the lack of access to food only worsened my situation. However, despite the difficulties, it was in this painful chapter of my life that I found resilience. I learned quickly that my circumstances don’t define me, and I discovered a strength I didn’t know I had.”

At 17, while Debbie was taking the first steps towards her dream career by studying Fine Art at The Glasgow School of Art, life threw an unexpected curveball her way and she found herself homeless. “This turned my world upside down and made it impossible to continue with my course,” she cites. “It wasn’t just the loss of my education that hurt – it was everything else that came with that period of my life.”

The struggles of homelessness

Debbie moved into a secure housing unit at the age of 18, which ‘felt anything but secure’, she notes. She lived in a six-block complex of two-bedroom flats and shares: “Staff would buzz us in and out, and the constant surveillance made me feel like I was being watched at every turn. Privacy was a foreign concept; there were checks every two hours, even during the night, to ensure everyone was alive and accounted for. It was intrusive, uncomfortable and, quite frankly, traumatic. The environment made me feel suffocated.”

She continues: “Even the smallest moments of personal space felt like they were being invaded. The jangling of keys outside my door at night, signalling another round of checks, left me feeling anxious and helpless. As someone who thrives on having personal space, I found this to be deeply unsettling, and it triggered a lasting sensitivity to having my privacy disrupted.

“During that time, I met many people who were going through personal battles:

“In this industry, the sky’s the limit, and if you remain focused, you can create a business that’s uniquely yours.”

The housing unit cost over £300 a week, and without any steady source of income or the ability to claim benefits due to being a full-time student, Debbie was stuck. “The system wasn’t designed to help someone like me,” she shares. “I was working two jobs at the time, but I was always in arrears. After 18 months, I was finally housed in my own flat. It was an overwhelming feeling of relief, but I soon realised that I had no idea how to navigate this new chapter. I had no carpets, no bed and I didn’t know how to top up my electricity or operate the boiler.

“Those early months were some of the loneliest I’ve ever experienced. I was overwhelmed with the responsibility of being on my own and taking care of everything myself, but it was then that I rediscovered my love for creativity. I was determined to not let this new chapter of my life be defined by fear or loneliness, and decided to take control and shape my future. I found my true calling in the world of nails.”

A passion project

During her time in the secure unit, residents were occasionally visited by holistic therapists, who would help them manage stress. “I realised how much power there is in making people feel cared for, seen and heard,” Debbie reveals.

“As my passion for creativity grew, I decided to pursue a course in complementary and alternative healthcare, exploring various forms of therapy. But it wasn’t until I took a special interest in nail art that I truly found my niche. It was the one area that sparked joy and allowed me to express myself creatively in ways I had never imagined.”

“Find your tribe, stay true to your vision and above all, don’t let anyone box you in.”

When Debbie became pregnant with her first child, she put her studies on hold for a while to focus on motherhood.

“When my second child turned two, I took a leap and enrolled on a nail qualification programme with NSI,” she shares. “I started working part-time at a local salon, earning just £7.20 an hour. I slowly built my clientele, but faced a lot of resistance. I was constantly told to stick to the basics of nails and not to bother with trending designs or nail art.

The role left me feeling stifled. It was clear that my creativity couldn’t be boxed into the salon’s narrow expectations.

I wanted to push boundaries, express myself and create something special for my clients. This drive led me to take a huge step toward my dreams.”

A leap of faith

A year later, when Debbie was seven weeks pregnant with her son, she decided she couldn’t keep working for someone else. “I wanted to be in control of my future and to use my talents to build a career that was fulfilling – not just for me, but for my family,” she reveals. “In a bold move, I contacted all of my clients, handed in my resignation and rented a desk at another local salon, giving me the freedom to truly embrace my passion. It wasn’t easy, but I knew I had to take this risk.

“The nail art industry was still in its infancy, and funky nail designs weren’t widely accepted. However, I was determined to make a name for myself. I started spreading the word online, letting people know that I was available to create tiny pieces of art on their nails. This is when The Nail Artist business was born. I threw myself into marketing and networking, determined to make my mark in the nail industry.”

Building a community

Along the way, Debbie drew inspiration from other nail artists, such as Devin Strebler of Nailz by Dev, a talented pro from the USA, renowned for bold, graphic designs. “Dev has been a huge influence on my style, and I also admire the work showcased by House of NAF!, a brand that’s well-known in the nail scene. The success of founder, Tammy Koslowski, a fellow Scot, was especially motivating,” states Debbie. “Inspired by the empire >>

she’s built, I knew I wanted to achieve the same in the town of Paisley: form a place where quirky, creative nail techs like me can come together and collaborate.

“As I built my business, I realised that what I truly wanted was to create a space where others could thrive.

I struggled for so long, often without the help or support I needed, and I didn’t want others to face the same challenges. I made it my mission to offer support in any way I could – whether that meant providing free training, buying stock for my team, or offering months of free rent to help them build their businesses. I wanted to make the process easier for others.”

Recognition & success

The hard work started paying off when Debbie’s salon team won the Best Nail Bar award at the 2020/21 Scottish Hair & Beauty Awards (SHABAs). Following the challenges of the pandemic, this recognition was incredibly rewarding. Then, in 2023, Debbie was nominated for Best Nail Artist at the SHABAs. Since this, Debbie has been named a top 10 finalist twice for Best Nail Artist, and in 2023, her salon was named Best Nail Salon in Renfrewshire. These accomplishments have been a testament to the dedication and passion she’s poured into her work. “I would never have believed, at the age of 18, living in a secure unit, that I’d go on to achieve all of this. But here I am, and I’ve made it,” she smiles.

“There’s something incredibly fulfilling about being recognised for the work you do and the passion you put into it.”

A creative life

“Creativity is the heartbeat of my life. It’s not just a career for me; it’s what keeps me going,” says Debbie. “Without creativity, I’m lost. I get so much joy from every project, whether it’s painting art on a canvas or on someone’s nails. The act of creation is what feeds my soul and makes life worth living.

“When it comes to nails, I’ve learned that there’s no ‘one’ right way to do things. The best part about the nail industry is that it’s so diverse. What works for one person might not work for another, and that’s okay. The key is to embrace what feels right for you, follow your passion and make your art your own.

“Opening my salon was a dream come true, but it didn’t come without challenges,” Debbie continues. “One of the biggest hurdles was finding the right team. Not everyone is suited to the same environment, and I had to learn that not every person would be a perfect fit for my vision. The process was painstaking, but over time, I built a team that shares my values and work ethic. We have created a supportive and loving environment: one that embraces individuality and celebrates creativity.”

Looking ahead

As for the future, Debbie has no intention of slowing down. “My dream is to win an individual award for my artistry. There’s something incredibly fulfilling about being recognised for the work you do and the passion you put into it. I also want to continue building my brand, by expanding my online presence or growing my salon. I’ve learned that growth doesn’t always mean expansion: it’s about cultivating something that lasts, feels genuine and is true to your values.”

Embracing the wealth of life experiences that have shaped her, Debbie gives this advice to aspiring nail artists: “If you’re thinking about pursuing a career in nails, or if you’re facing challenges in your journey, my advice is simple: believe in yourself. Even when the world tells you ‘you can’t’, just keep pushing. If I can make it from homelessness to an award-winning nail artist, you can overcome whatever hurdles you face.

“Find your tribe, stay true to your vision and above all, don’t let anyone box you in. You are capable of achieving more than you ever thought possible. In this industry, the sky’s the limit, and if you remain focused, you can create a business that’s uniquely yours. Remember, your past doesn’t define your future – your creativity and determination do. I’ve learned that success is more than just awards or recognition. It’s about the love you pour into your work, the relationships you build with your clients and the way you give back to your community.

Debbie concludes: “Life hasn’t always been easy, but it’s been beautiful in its own way. The challenges I’ve faced have made me stronger, and my journey has given me the resilience I need to continue chasing my dreams. For anyone out there, regardless of where you come from, know this: your dreams are possible. With creativity, hard work and an unwavering belief in yourself, you can achieve anything you set your mind to.”

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“I get so much joy from every project, whether it’s painting art on a canvas or on someone’s nails. The act of creation is what feeds my soul.”