The power of COMMUNITY
LYNDS JOYCE, founder of The Black Canvas Society online nail collective, shares why curating a strong network is important for beginner nail techs
Picture this: it’s your first day as a qualified nail tech. You’ve completed the required course, configured your prices and set up an
Instagram
account. Pride swells – yet you suddenly realise you’re alone at the nail desk, and the bubble pops, uncertainty creeping in. Are your prices right? Is your content delivering? Did you prep the nails of your last client correctly? What should you do about a no-show?
Feelings of doubt and insecurity prove exactly why community is so important for beginner nail techs. We don’t talk enough about how lonely the nail profession can be, or how to overcome feelings of solitude.
Many nail techs start their journeys on a self-employed basis, going from unqualified one day to fully qualified and on their own the next. A strong community doesn’t just make you feel supported: it can be the difference between burning out quickly and building a lasting career. Community turns comparison into connection.
The reality of starting out
Your first day as a nail tech comes with uestions: ‘what ifs’ and contemplations about what’s next. It’s no wonder that many beginners feel overwhelmed by everything there is to know and do, especially those who are self-employed.
This isn’t to say this industry isn’t wonderful; it is, and we’re lucky to do this work. But it can feel overwhelming. When you don’t have a team to bounce ideas off or ask, ‘Do you think this is right?’ or ‘What would you do?’.
Social media adds another layer of pressure: the constant expectation to look like you’ve got it all figured out. Through my work as a mentor, the phrase I hear most often is: ‘I feel like I’m doing it wrong’. Here’s the truth: it’s normal to feel that way – and you’re not alone.
There’s a common assumption that being a nail tech is a social profession, so loneliness shouldn’t be part of it. But it often is, and it can be hard to talk about these feelings with clients or loved ones who might not fully understand.
There’s so much uncertainty, especially in what can feel like an oversaturated industry. However, there is space for you. So, let’s explore the secret weapon that can help you conquer those feelings: community.
Why community changes everything
There are countless benefits that come with being part of a community. First and foremost, your confidence will soar. Surrounding yourself with like-minded people with similar skills and experiences allows for honest conversations, validation and celebration.
My community steered me through my first year as a nail tech, helping facilitate growth both professionally and personally. After leaving an eight-year career where I felt confident and knowledgeable, I suddenly found myself starting from scratch, working alone.
BUILDING YOUR COMMUNITY
A supportive community can make a hugely positive impact, but how do you start building one? Here are five practical steps:
1. Reach out online. It might feel intimidating at first, but don’t let that stop you. Some of my closest connections in the industry started with a simple message.
2. Support other nail techs instead of seeing them as competition. Like, comment on and share other creators’ posts. Not only does this help build friendships faster than you’d expect, but it boosts everyone’s reach. When we lift each other up, we all benefit.
3. Attend meet-ups, trainings and events. Putting yourself out there can be nerve-wracking – but remember, many people are just as apprehensive as you. Events are fantastic opportunities to make new connections in a supportive environment. Be sure to include attendance in your annual budget, as events can aid business growth.
4. Join online groups or memberships. Many brands and communities have Facebook groups or online forums where you can connect with other techs with similar interests and challenges. These spaces are perfect for networking and sharing advice.
5. Create your own circle of techs to talk with. Whether it’s a group chat or a small circle you check in with regularly (even just once a week),having people to talk shop with can help you feel like you have a team behind you. Remember: your community doesn’t have to be hundreds of people - just those who understand you.
Learning from others – whether about handling clients or perfecting nail techniques – proved invaluable. Sharing my own experiences forced me to reflect on them, and when I started connecting with other techs online, I realised we were all quietly figuring things out together. The realisation that others were feeling the same as me changed everything.
Another unexpected benefit of a strong community is accountability. As a nail tech, it can feel as though you are the only one driving your goals, but community proves that there are others who believe in you and your achievements.
As we navigate the winter months – when workload can fluctuate dramatically – nail tech communities become vital for supporting mental health. This is a key reason why I created my online community: to give beginners a safe space to talk openly about challenges, so negative thoughts don’t spiral into self-doubt or burnout.
Final thoughts
The top piece of advice I can offer about growing a community is this: you don’t have to wait until you feel good enough or experienced enough to belong. People want to connect with you, support you and see you succeed – right from the start. You don’t need to prove yourself or hit a milestone before you’re worthy of support. Community is your right from day one.
If you’re reading this and feel on the outside looking in, know that you’re not alone. We are hardwired to need community, and your journey will be richer, more resilient and more joyful when you let others in.
Take a small step today: reach out, even if it feels awkward. That first ‘hello’ could be the start of your support network. Whether it’s a quick chat in your DMs or joining a mentorship group, remember – nail techs don’t rise alone. When we connect, we don’t just help ourselves: we lift the whole industry. Every message, shared tip and piece of encouragement makes our community stronger.
You can’t grow in isolation – not because you aren’t good enough, but because we need each other. Community is how we learn, grow and stay in love with what we do.
Black Canvas Nails -Bournemouth & Poole
@blackcanvasnails
@blackcanvassociety
“Community turns comparison into connection.”
NAVIGATING NAIL NETWORKS
Are you seeking a nail community to join? Here are three to consider:
1. The Black Canvas Society. Lynds’ online collective is ‘designed to help fellow nail techs feel less isolated in what can be a tough and lonely profession, creating a space for connection, support and inspiration’.
Scan here to join the network.
2. Clawgasmic. Founded by UK-based nail pro, Chantelle Johnson, and tech expert, Jouvan Johnson, Clawgasmic is an online nail community that helps techs ‘go from confused, overwhelmed and frustrated to fully booked, confident and skilled’. Offering courses, connection and creative direction, the community aims to support nail techs throughout their careers. www.clawgasmic.com
3. The Nail Dates. Created to ‘unite an already powerful circle of techs’ and help them ‘grow stronger, together’, the online community, founded by nail pro, Samantha Haste, boasts masterclasses, workshops and wellness sessions to unlock techs’ potentials. www.thenaildates.com
Scan to watch
Scratch’s video interview with Lynds about The Black Canvas Society