TECH TALK

Star & Saviour

Business founder, salon owner & recipient of the Scratch Stars Shooting Star Award 2025, THERESA FODDERING, shares her journey to success & mission to create lasting change in the nail sector

What attracted you to the nail industry?

It was the mix of art and beauty. I’ve always had a passion for art, but when I trained as a beauty therapist, I didn’t consider the possibility of doing nails full-time. I love anatomy, science and the idea of treating nails as tiny canvases – but in a way that protects skin and nail health. The penny dropped when appointments were being booked with me to aid nail conditions or disorders, as well as provide pretty nail finishes. I soon realised that nails wasn’t a hobby; it was a job I could build a life around.

Theresa takes pride in educating students, ensuring they have the tools and knowledge needed to succeed.

What part of your nail journey has shaped you most?

Teaching was an awakening, and certainly not what I expected. It made me realise what’s missing in our industry and my own educational journey. Standing at the front of a classroom forced me to audit my knowledge, fill the gaps and raise the bar. I’ve crammed more personal and professional development into my years of teaching than I did in my early nail career, and it’s made me a better pro and mentor.

What separates a good nail educator from a great one?

Curiosity and integrity: teaching how to assess, adapt and say, ‘I don’t know, but let’s find out’. A good educator teaches techniques, but a great one models their core values and practices when no one is watching.

SHOOTING STAR SUCCESS

Entering the Scratch Stars Awards encouraged me document my achievements and take time to appreciate what I have accomplished. This reflection has built confidence and helped me focus on what I wish to contribute going forward.

Receiving The Shooting Star Award validated that using my voice matters. I have spent years quietly putting in the work, and the award felt like the industry saying, ‘keep going – we see you’.

If I could wave a magic wand and change one standard practice across the nail industry, I’d increase anatomy education. Too often, what is safe for the entire nail unit is disregarded. Better anatomy knowledge means gentler prep, fewer injuries and reactions, and healthier long-term results for clients.

“A good educator teaches techniques, but a great one models their core values and practices when no one is watching.”

Theresa is passionate about fighting the nail industry’s ‘misinformation crisis’ and holds webinars to educate techs.

MYTH BUSTER

What is one piece of misinformation that frustrates you when you hear it?

That nail separation is caused by an allergy. There are actually over 20 causes of this condition, including filing, overexposure, dryness, trauma, medical conditions or poor aftercare. Jumping straight to an allergy is negatively impacting the industry, sending pros and clients down a panic-driven path and spreading misinformation.

Have you ever myth-busted to help a fellow nail tech?

I once received a message from a nailist who was experiencing horrific reactions after performing nail services. She included a long list of chemicals that tests showed she reacted to, and expressed that she was concerned for the future of her career. Not on my watch! We stripped her processes back to basics and looked at the entire picture – not just her symptoms. It took a lot of phone calls, and we changed her prep, dust control processes and filled gaps in her knowledge she didn’t realise she was missing. She’s now back working with products she was told she couldn’t use and doing the job she loves. Seeing her confidence return was everything, and she flourished!

Theresa’s nail creations.

Instagram.com/thenaildresser

BOOMING BUSINESS

Tell us about the launch of your product range, Saviour TM …

The successful launch of SaviourTM , my aromatherapy-based Nail & Skin Restoring range, has grown my profile in the industry exponentially. The journey leading up to launch gained quiet traction through teaser posts, behind-the-scenes stories and an engaged VIP testing group of over 35 professionals and consumers.

Did you face any challenges bringing it to market?

I had to delay the launch due to trademark negotiations. It was frightening: just me against a big company with an IP lawyer, and the tactics felt brutal. But I realised I wasn’t only fighting for myself; I was standing up for every small independent business that contributes to Saviour™, and for the restoration I want to bring to professionals and their clients. Standing strong protected the Saviour™ name, its values and the people it seeks to help.

What does owning a trusted and respected brand mean to you?

I still can’t quite believe it – and I say that a lot. Everything has gone into making this happen, and it doesn’t stop; I keep moving, improving and looking ahead. Saviour™ began as a 40th birthday gift to myself, and to now have respected educators and salons choose it feels surreal and deeply affirming.

“My promises are simple: evidence-led education, products with purpose and an open door for honest conversation.”

How do you balance being confident in your knowledge, while staying approachable and grounded?

I don’t profess to know everything, as no one can, especially in an industry that’s constantly evolving. What I am confident in is finding answers: I actively seek out evidence, ask questions and follow the science.

Knowledge is addictive, and with it comes a calm, earned confidence. I pride myself on being with the pros, for the pros and not talking down to anyone. We rise by supporting one another, and I try to bring positive energy into every space.

How do you stop yourself from burning out while continuing to set new goals?

Balancing business and family life is hard, but I’ve learnt to accept the ‘imperfect perfect’ – doing the best I can, when I can. That’s all any of us can do. As I hit my late 30s and turned 40, I stopped comparing myself to others and getting sucked into the Instagram façade. The moment I focused on myself and my passions, I started achieving more. My goals became clearer and I experienced fewer meltdowns.

Where do you see the nail industry in five years, and how will you help shape its future?

I see real, quiet work happening that is rebuilding the foundations of the industry from the ground up. I’m committed to that path: grassroots initiatives, education that centres knowledge and skills, and supporting projects like Developing the Young Workforce (DYW), which gives young people opportunities to thrive. If we keep strengthening fundamentals and raising standards together, the next five years can be stronger, clearer and more sustainable for everyone.

Theresa with a group of Developing the Young Workforce students.

What legacy do you wish to leave in the nail industry?

Integrity – because it’s pure and selfless. I don’t have an agenda beyond my genuine passion for our industry and the people within it. Education makes us confident, powerful and trusted by clients, and with trust, we are taken more seriously. Those values build community, togetherness and real collaborations for the greater good.

There’s too much shaming and finger-pointing, and not enough handholding and guiding. I hope I’m remembered for living these values, positively impacting the industry and helping pros who seek my support to feel more confident and capable. My promises are simple: evidence-led education, products with purpose and an open door for honest conversation.

www.thenaildresser.co.uk / www.saviournails.co.uk /theresa.arevolution & /saviournailsHQ

@thenaildresser & @saviour.nails

@thenaildresser & @saviour.nails