Successful Graduate – Michelle Hillier
My journey started when my husband asked what I wanted for my birthday one year. So, yes, I become one of the “home learners” and had a cheap kit to start with off with from eBay. My love for nails grew and was constantly being persuaded by my sister-in-law to do an Essential Nails course myself. I used to say “no one would pay for my nails”. But, after having a very hard time and being bullied out off my banking job, I decided to enrol in November 2014 into Manicure/Pedicure and UV Gel Polish courses. Initially, I was worried I wouldn’t be able to pay for the course, but the option to pay through instalment’s really helped.
In January 2015 I handed in my notice and found a part-time job, to run alongside training with Essential Nails. February, I passed my courses and went official, starting my own part-time business. This was a very daunting time. I then decided to enrol in the Acrylic Tip and Overlay course as lots of my ladies was asking if I could do acrylics. This I found was my hardest course to complete, but after 4 months I did it and completed it with a distinction! In the meantime, I treated myself to the Gelaze Pro Expert Art course. I really loved this one, I couldn’t put it down. My artistic background was finally being put to use. After leaving school I went to London to do my degree in fine art. This wasn’t for me and I left after 3 years to go into a full-time graphic design job.
July 2015 whilst with family, I got a phone call, on a hot summers day camping with Michelle, to say I had won my course fees back for that month. Things were on the up!
This gave me a massive confidence boost. My client base grew and grew. I enrolled in more courses and entered more competitions with Essential Nails.
My courses to date are:
– Manicure and Pedicure – Pass – Feb 2015
– UV Gel Polish – Distinction – Feb 2015
– Wild Competition – Paint & Polish Graduate runner-up – April 2015
– Wedding Nail Art Competition – Gelaze graduate winner – June 2015
– Acrylic Tip and Overlay – June 2015
– Gelaze Pro Expert Art – Distinction (won course fees back) – July 2015
– Acrylic Sculpted Nails – April 2016
– Maintaining Nails – May 2016
– Strictly Come Dancing Competition – Master runner-up – October 2016
September 2017, I decided to say goodbye to my part-time job and peruse my nail business full time. A huge risk to undertake as to whether I could do it. But I did. I believe your work speaks for itself and it has made me a successful nail artist in my local area. I’ve had a couple of offers to work in local nail shops, but polity turned them down.
My next aim is to enter more national competition’s. I would love to win a Scratch award. But who knows! I will continue to learn and develop my skills and do the best I can.
