BUSINESSMATTERS
Business Tools & Tips for Techs
SOFTWARE TO SUPPORT
Explore physical & digital tools to streamline your business processes & heed accountancy advice for the 2026/2027 tax year
BY REBECCA HITCHON
Reflecting on your average working day, would ‘juggling tasks’ be apt? If so, you’re not alone – but you may need support from some handy tools. that thrive are the ones that put as much thought into how the business runs behind-the-scenes, as they do into the services delivered at the nail desk. This is where the right tools matter.”
Luke Doolin
Luke Doolin, country manager at salon software company, Phorest UK & Ireland, shares: “Nail professionals are business owners, diary managers, marketers, leaders and financial decision-makers. The salons
We’ve rounded up physical and digital tools that can enhance your working practices and reduce overwhelm. Plus, with April marking the start of the new financial year, we’ve sourced the advice of specialist beauty accountants to support business management.
Timely
Over 30,000 global businesses, with the majority beauty-focused, use booking and payments software, Timely. ‘Designed to help you focus on your passion, not your admin’, the software puts hair and beauty professionals in control of the client experience. Easy-to-use, key features include seamless payments and booking, automated client reminders, staff management, digital consultation forms, marketing support and stock management. Three plans are available, and pros can upgrade their plan as their business grows.
Timely ambassador & Scratch Stars Social Media Star of the Year 2026, Jessica White (@jessicawhitenailartist), shares: “Timely was the backbone of my business when I was working solo, and it’s been just as powerful as I’ve grown into a multi-artist salon. It’s helped me scale confidently, stay organised and build a professional client experience.” Find out more at www.gettimely.com
Jessica White
Zenoti
AI-powered cloud software provider, Zenoti, supports salon, spa, medspa and fitness businesses with contactless payments, appointment management, data insights, marketing and more. Its ‘AI Receptionist’ tool answers calls, logs enquiries, identifies upsell opportunities, and books and reschedules appointments. Calls are answered in a brand’s tone of voice, and if a request requires a human, the call is passed to a team member with full conversation context. Find out more at www.zenoti.com
SAAMM
Salon coach & Scratch columnist, Richard McCabe, is the creator of SAAMM (Salon AI Automated Manager Machine). “This is an all-in-one salon growth system designed to attract more clients, keep them coming back and free up your time,” he says. Via SAAM, businesses can track bookings, revenue, client retention and growth. “You bring the ambition – we bring the system. We install it, run it and coach you through it,” Richard shares. Learn more at lifestylesaloncoach.org/homepage and turn to page 58 to read Richard’s column.
Richard McCabe
Aura 300
International salon expert, Liz McKeon, has partnered with Aura 300, ‘an AI agent revenue growth engine’ for salons, spas and clinics. It builds AI agents to attract new clients, re-engage previous customers, fill bookings, upsell products and answer calls at any time. It helps businesses free up 10 to 20 hours per week.
Aura 300 is comprised of AI receptionist, Emma – who answers calls and instantly books appointments; sales manager, Yuki – who re-engages lapsed clients with personalised communications, and marketing expert, Nami – who drives cost-effective campaigns. The agents can be customised to a business’ tone of voice. Learn more at lizmckeon.com/aura-activate
Phorest
“Nail pros can manage appointments, client records, reminders and promotions from one place with Phorest, reducing admin noise and creating consistency across the client journey,” shares Luke Doolin. “Clear reporting, integrated payments and compliant tipping also benefit salon teams by removing uncertainty.”
The software features loyalty programme, TreatCard: ‘a proven way to encourage repeat visits’. “Beyond loyalty, Phorest’s referrals feature brings in fresh customers, while PhorestTips ensures team members receive tax-compliant tips directly into their bank accounts,” says Luke. Visit www.phorest.com for more information.
MONEY MATTERS Accountants serve up advice for the 2026/2027 financial year...
GEMMA DWYER Founder of The Beauty Boss Accountant www.thebeautyboss.org @thebeautybossaccountantuk
“Following the Autumn Budget 2025, an important area to review is income tax thresholds. Even small shifts in personal allowances or tax bands can change how much money you keep. For self-employed pros, this could mean a higher portion of income falling into a taxable bracket.
“National Insurance Contributions (NICs) are another area to review. Whether you’re a sole trader, limited company director or employ staff, any increases need to be built into your forecasts from April. For employers, this impacts staffing costs, so wages, rotas and expansion plans should be reviewed with this in mind.
“If you run a limited company and pay yourself partly through dividends, it’s also important to keep a close eye on dividend allowances. Recent reductions mean more directors are paying tax on a larger share of their dividends, which affects personal income.”
Money mistakes
“I regularly see two mistakes – and both can be incredibly costly. The first is not doing any tax planning. Many business owners wait until their accountant tells them what they owe, which often leads to shock tax bills and missed opportunities to legally reduce what they pay. Tax planning is about understanding your numbers early, forecasting your profit and putting simple strategies in place throughout the year.
“The second mistake is not claiming allowable expenses. Beauty pros often don’t realise what they’re entitled to claim for, such as software, equipment, uniforms, insurance and some home working costs.”
How to reduce financial overwhelm “Make money dates with yourself. I do this every month and take my laptop to my favourite café, giving myself permission to focus on my business. When you stop treating finances as boring admin, you’ll feel more in control, confident and connected to your goals.”
CLAIRE BLACK & CLAIRE RULTON Founders of Balance & Bliss Accounting www.thebalanceandbliss.co.uk @thebalanceandbliss
“The Autumn Budget wasn’t the shake-up everyone expected. After months of rumours, there were no big changes to VAT or income tax, and no movement on key tax and National Insurance thresholds. The biggest impact for most beauty businesses is what didn’t change. Income Tax thresholds are frozen until 2031, meaning that as your income rises, more of it gets pulled into higher tax bands.
“If you run a limited company, it’s worth reviewing how you take money out to ensure you’re using allowances efficiently. If you have staff, keep an eye on employer’s National Insurance, as the allowance is frozen, so pay rises can quietly increase your NI bill.
“Looking ahead, the most important shift is Making Tax Digital (MTD) for income tax. From April, sole traders earning over £50,000 will need MTD-approved software and quarterly reporting. If you have a turnover below £50,000, preparing early will put you in control before MTD becomes mandatory.”
Money mistakes “Undervaluing services is a huge issue in the beauty world. It’s tempting to keep prices low to stay competitive, but if they aren’t covering your costs and more, you’re essentially working for free.
“Cash flow is another issue. Many pros work without a buffer or savings pot, which leads to stress during quiet spells. If you have seasonal highs or lows, plan for them, so you’re not panic discounting to fill your diary. A subscription is a great way to create predictable cash flow year-round.
“Similarly, don’t let your tax bill be a surprise. We suggest setting aside 10-15% of your turnover as a starting point for your bill.”
How to reduce financial overwhelm “Get familiar with your numbers. Use accounting software and invest in setting it up for your needs. Then, make time once a week to look at your income and expenditure. Analyse your profit and if any costs are getting away from you. After one month, you will have a good idea of where your money is coming from and going. However, don’t try to figure out your finances alone when there are people like us who enjoy supporting you.”
STATIONERY STAPLES
The Beauty Business Weekly Planner & Appointment Book
Since 2023, Scratch Stars Session Nail Stylist of the Year 2018 & 2019, Nickie Rhodes-Hill, has released the Beauty Business Weekly Planner and Appointment Book. “The work of nail professionals is client-led, fast-paced and creative, and having something physical to refer to can make organising appointments, finances and admin feel more manageable,” she tells Scratch.
Nicki Rhodes-Hill
The Beauty Business Weekly Planner focuses on ‘wider business planning and oversight’, featuring weekly planning pages; monthly, quarterly and annual overviews; budgeting, income and expenditure pages, and awareness dates. The Appointment Book supports day-to-day client work with appointment pages and admin support. The books are available via www.amazon.co.uk
The Nail Tech Success Planner
This digital download is created by award-winning nail pro, educator & session stylist, Rebecca Orme. “Print and pop the required pages into a folder,” she shares. “I use an A5 folder so it fits into my handbag, ensuring I can always write down an idea, make customer notes and diarise events or meetings.” The planner features weekly and monthly planning, with reflection and goal setting prompts; pricing and wage planning; a costs tracker and profit calculator.
Rebecca Orme
“Three calendar views offer a complete overview of your year, and you can plan daily activities and compile a simple business plan,” Rebecca continues. “There is also a step-by-step guide for services, to help you identify where you could earn more money.” The Nail Tech Success Planner is £19.95 inc VAT and available via www.rebeccaorme.co.uk/nail-tech-success-planner
Sophie Cox
The Nail Story Co.
This stationery brand is the creation of nail tech, Sophie Cox of @sophie.co.nails, and serves to help fellow pros add structure to each day. She launched the product range to promote organisation, creativity and growth without overwhelm. It includes Client Record Cards, 50-page Design Inspo Pads, a Monthly Planner/Journal and a Weekly Planner Pad. The Planner/Journal features to-do lists, nail art and colour theory planning, stock and finance trackers, social media support and client information lists. Shop The Nail Story Co. products via www.thenailstoryco.co.uk
Celina Rydén
My Nail Designs
Renowned nail artist & educator, Celina Rydén, created My Nail Designs to help pros ‘explore [their] creativity and gather nail designs in one place’. The book is filled with empty nail shapes on which to design, alongside space to write the relevant client’s name, products used and inspiration. Celina recommends that pros use My Nail Designs to prepare styles before appointments or with clients during consultations, and keep it in a waiting area to inspire customers. Also featured in the book are ideas to find inspiration, tool advice and pricing support. Buy My Nail Designs via www.moonflair.shop & www.lightelegance.co.uk
Blossom Tree Social
Sarah Hartley
‘Supporting self-employed pros to build calmer, more balanced businesses’ is the aim of Blossom Tree Social founder, Sarah Hartley. “As a former nail technician turned wellbeing business owner, I create digital tools designed to support nail professionals with organisation, mindset and balance,” she tells Scratch. “Downloads include printable planners, goal-setting worksheets, reflection prompts and calming meditations that nail pros can use to set realistic business and personal goals, track self-care habits and reduce overwhelm.” Purchase the downloads via ko-fi.com/blossomtreesocial
Katie Clark
PRODUCT PICK
Good lighting is essential to ensure you can clearly see your work and reduce eye strain. For nail content creators, high-quality lighting is vital to present messages professionally – and the Katie Barnes LED Flexible Desk Light can support. “It features an overhead light for clear working visibility, alongside two side panels that can act as a lightbox for photography,” explains Katie Barnes Tool Range founder, Katie Clark. “The light is suitable for all nail technicians and setups, thanks to its adaptable design and choice of either a clamp or base.” Katie shares that the light’s unique selling point is its 360°-degree rotation. “This allows it to be positioned to suit the user, helping them maintain good posture and work comfortably for long periods,” she says. “For example, it can be positioned low for pedicure services.” Mobile nail techs have also been considered, as the light is easy to fold away and transport.
Katie Barnes LED Flexible Desk Light (with Flat Base or Clamp & in Black or White) £129.99 inc VAT
www.katiebarnesacademy.com