Editor's Letter

Following a frantic festive period, January often affords time for reflection and planning. What are your career goals for the year ahead? Whether you wish to learn a specific nail art technique, try a new brand or immerse in the competition sphere, Scratch will continue to provide information and opportunities to help you achieve your dreams.

This issue, we focus on self-employment, with practical pointers to follow if you’re keen to step out from underneath the umbrella of an existing business. Experts have shared financial advice, alongside setup, wellbeing and client retention tips, to help you launch a profitable business that works around your lifestyle.

I attended an event at the Houses of Parliament last month, at which the Cosmetics, Toiletry & Perfumery Association unveiled its Agenda for Government: proposals from the cosmetics, personal care and beauty sector to support sustainable industry growth. It was pleasing to see greater recognition of the beauty industry’s contributions to UK GDP, and that a dedicated strategy is being considered to help those within it. I thank the CTPA and fellow industry bodies, such as the British Beauty Council, BABTAC and NHBF, for continuing to champion for change: promoting sector safety and strengthening relations with government. I believe that we’ll see a heightened focus on the professional beauty arena in years to come, with positive reflections on the needs of SMEs and self-employed workers.

Next month, we’ll open entry for the 13th Scratch Stars Awards, which recognises exceptional talent in the UK&I nail sector. I hope that entry to this awards – or any of the six global contests hosted by our sister brand, Nailympia – are included in your goals for 2025. They offer platforms to promote your success, enhance your skills and strive for greatness.

Share your career hopes for 2025 with us on Instagram, Facebook or TikTok. We’d love to hear them!

Until next month,

Helena Biggs Editorial & partnerships director

+44(0)1959 547 000 helena.biggs@scratchmagazine.co.uk

Front cover image courtesy of The GelBottle Inc, featuring BIAB™, available via

www.thegelbottle.com.

Photographer: Mateusz Sitek at One Represents

@matsitek

Photographer’s assistant: Justyna Radon

@justyna_radon

Nail technicians: Daisy Needham @theglosscoat & Helena Marimon @smnailz

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