Laurie Heath, founder of The Curated Club, has distilled nearly 16 years of industry experience into five core pieces of advice for new nail technicians. After struggling in her early career, Heath launched The Curated Club in 2024, offering product subscription boxes, business education, and marketing resources to help newer pros build confidence and passion.
Heath stresses that establishing boundaries early is crucial to avoid burnout, advising new techs to set and adhere to working hours. She also cautions against overstocking, recommending a gradual kit expansion funded by client income and factored into pricing. Mastery of nail preparation is highlighted as more critical than elaborate designs for client retention.
Understanding financial basics is presented as non-negotiable. While beginner pricing is acceptable, Heath urges new professionals to calculate costs, time, and personal worth accurately from the outset. She shares a personal anecdote of under-pricing leading to burnout and financial struggles, emphasizing that success is prolonged by undervaluing oneself.
Furthermore, Heath advises that not every client is the right client. Identifying and prioritising ideal clients, who respect boundaries and value work, is key to professional enjoyment and business success. She notes that both clients and pricing can evolve, and outgrowing them is a sign of growth, not failure.
The overarching message from Heath is to build a business that supports long-term well-being and professional satisfaction, rather than solely aiming for a full appointment book. She encourages celebrating every milestone, from initial bookings to price adjustments, as essential markers of progress.
