Journey to a Nail Tech...It Begins

Two years of blogging and talking about nails and polish and nail art and cuticles and all that jazz that accompanies it has finally driven me to start toward a license as a nail technician.

I'm excited, a little nervous, and ready to start learning. There's so much I don't know, and so much I want to learn. It's all the beginning to what I dream to one day have...my own nail business.

I've decided to try and make this journey a learning experience for others as well, and I hope to have weekly updates on the experience. It's a long experience though (6-8 months for the program I decided on), so we'll see where the road travels.

I'll be taking night classes, so I can continue to work full time and raise the funds necessary to attend. It's a pricey school, but everything sounds worth it. The total cost of tuition is $7235. That'll sound outrageous to some of you, as I've heard of schools costing a mere $500. Long's Peak Academy seems like the best fit for me right now though, and I've worked out my finances to ensure I can attend without going under.

There are some sacrifices to make (Saturdays begin with 8.5 hours of school now and skiing may be out of the question this season), both for me and my loved ones, but I've gotten nothing but support so far.

Read up on my experiences as they go with my new tag, #nailtechnailedit on Twitter and Instagram. All the posts here at Nailed It will be tagged the same.

I welcome any questions, advice, or support you have to offer! Maybe I'll set up a fund raiser event to really kick it off properly too.

Thank you all for your support and love, and for making this whole thing happen!

31 comments :

  1. Best of luck! I know you're going to be amazing. <3 <3

    ReplyDelete
  2. So exciting!! Good luck on your new journey, can't wait to follow you through the process! We'll all be here with ya!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thats super exciting! You'll do awesome!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Congratulations!!! It'll be an excellent experience!!
    Go for it! :D

    ReplyDelete
  5. Good luck! I might be doing the same once I finish my Masters (but not a full year, a 6 week course), it'll keep me occupied between PhD applications LOL

    ReplyDelete
  6. Congrats! I'm doing my master's now (2 years, $36k. Kill me.) so I know exactly what you mean when you say that you and your loved ones will have to make some sacrifices, but you will get through it. Everyone is in your corner rooting for you! And when you're finished, it'll feel like a blink of an eye (so I hear...).

    ReplyDelete
  7. Wow, talk about price difference: a year of my PhD studies (which I can't afford) would be 2000 euros (around 2500 $) - so the whole PhD would be just a bit more than the course.

    Good luck!
    I can't wait for the updates :) .

    ReplyDelete
  8. Congrats and good luck!!!!! I know you will do great!

    ReplyDelete
  9. What a great news ! Congrats and good luck :)
    That's something I'd def love to do, but as far as I know, in belgium I can only chose between the gel nail trainings (3 or 4 days for around 1000$), or the whole esthetician stuff. Maybe one day I'll be able to realise that dream, too :)

    ReplyDelete
  10. Wow, congrats, and good luck! Have fun!

    ReplyDelete
  11. So excited for you!! I admire your drive towards doing what makes you happy and successful :)

    ReplyDelete
  12. a fundraiser?? I don't understand why..

    You will be very surprised to see what awaits you! It is different to what you will expect. But doing the course, and now being qualified, I am thankful that I am into nail art and could not imagine sitting down all day doing acrylics and gels....it's hard work!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The fundraiser would be to help me pay for the classes. They're pricey!

      Delete
  13. how exciting!! Congrats. Have fun!! best of luck for the new chapter of your life (:

    ReplyDelete
  14. Congrats! Good luck and I'm really looking forward to your updates -I wanna be a nailtech too! Slightly jealous-
    <3

    ReplyDelete
  15. Yay! I am sure you will ace the course :)

    ReplyDelete
  16. go for your dreams, girl! I'm crossing my fingers for you! :)

    ReplyDelete
  17. I actually was thinking of doing the same thing! I currently manage a bank branch and while I make good money I don't exactly love what I do. I wish you the best of luck!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Congratulations I know you will enjoy the new direction that having a license will take you. I am completely blown away by the price difference from when I was in school for my cosmetology license . I think the whole course was 9 -10 months and for a round $3500. of course that was 25 plus years ago. Boy I really feel old now!! Lol! Good luck and will be looking forward to the updates!!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Congrats!! I have been thinking about doing the same thing. I am terrified of freehand. Please document your experience here so that I and others who may be curious can see what nail tech school has in store. Thanks in advance!

    ReplyDelete
  20. So excited for you!
    There aren't enough nail tech blogs on here so it will be great to see your journey.
    I am starting my course in September :)

    ReplyDelete
  21. Good for you, it's good you want to do something for yourself :)

    ReplyDelete
  22. Congrats!! And good luck!! :)

    ReplyDelete
  23. It will surely be exciting! Good luck! :-)

    ReplyDelete
  24. Wow that's so awesome! I'm interested to hear more!

    ReplyDelete
  25. How exciting!! Hope it all goes great for you! Look forward to following you on your journey :-)

    ReplyDelete
  26. Here in Aus, I just started my Certificate 3 in Beauty Services with a Nail Elective (you can pick Makeup or Nails). Total cost is probably $1300. Class enrolment is $396. Materials Cost (textbooks, workbooks) $150. Kit: $500 give or take. Includes acrylics and gels by OPI systems as well. Very well priced when you look at the kit, which has some very high quality tools in it.

    My classes are three nights a week and 9 - 4 Saturdays and I'm working full time (for now). I am so excited to be doing it; I've gone to uni and never finished a degree (Bachelor of Science), I'm about to finish a C4 in Massage Therapy and I am wondering why the hell I didn't just follow my passion into makeup and nails years ago instead of doing what people told me to do.

    Seriously; you are so talented and you're smart. The qualification works on a very basic level of knowledge in terms of science etc. which is very good and very easy to understand. Good luck with everything!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We're going to be on very similar schedules! I'm working full time as well, and my classes are also 3 nights a week for 4 hours, then 8:30-5:00 on Saturdays. We'll be able to lean on one another to get through some of the tough nights.

      Glad we're sharing this experience together, and thank you for all the kind words. :)

      Delete

I enjoy comments of all types! However, please do NOT promote your blog through the comments of my own. If you would like to contact me personally, please use the Contact and Disclosure page at the top of my blog. Thank you and enjoy!