I started off with a 4 day man/ped with supernail and then 2 day Backscratchers course. I have then gone on from there and am doing the new nvq specific with creative.

Good thread Sandi.....
I actually started with a 4 day course over 4 Sundays...using Kiss products this cost £500 8 years ago!!...The nails I produced were truly awful.... I got part time work in a salon that used Creative products and SAW THE LIGHT!!!.....I then did my Creative Conversion and got started on my Academy (Masters ) classes as soon as I could......this was a real turning point for me as the confidence I gained at these courses eventually lead to me gaining my Master Technician qualification and going for it with my own business!!!

I later attended a Glasgow College to gain some National Qualifications and because at that time Creative had no further course to offer me, although they had given me the Education bug!!! ...changed days now with all the courses they can offer for all the systems.... .
I was truly appalled at the standard of the College Course (Although the Instructor was a Fabulous Nail technician)...24 in the class at the start and 6 at the end!! I think the certificate given at the end really was for good attendance not nails!.....This was when I realised how great the training was that I had had with Creative and appreciated that my Globally recognised Certificates from them would mean more for my career!....So I have stuck with them ever since!

I started with a 2 day course at Debbie Timberlake's academy in Cosham. But then I was lucky because I went straight into a job in one of their franchised salon's for a year. HAve done tons more 1 day courses since.

Education is the best investment you'll make. It's not as easy as it looks and there are so many hints and tips that a course will cover to make sure you use the products safely and effectively. I can't understand people who feel they can get away without it. It would be like training yourself to cut hair. Yeah you may think it's good, but a trained eye can immediately see every mistake you make!

Well, i did a course over 2 days and unbeknown to me was taught how to trash natural nails! Well maybe not quite that bad, but very poor training.L&P.

It cost me over £400 with kit etc . I then bought books - Encyclopedia of Nails, Complete Nail Technician, got Scratch, PN etc, read & read & practised, friends & family. Then discovered this fab site Aug 04 read loads of threads & posts, asked lots of questions too.

I started my own business & it's doing OK. I'm going on my final day on monday on my Creative L & P foundation.

I'm currently studying for a VTCT qualification at college, includes m&p and extensions with gel overlay. Don't think I would have coped doing all the work in a 4/5 day course!! Tutor has been great. Hopefully if I pass I would love to train in l&p and was considering going to a local private training school for a 2 day course. After reading posts on this site though I've deceided to make the hubby look after the kids and travel down to Dublin to train with creative. So fingers crossed I'll be one of the gang by next year!

Helen

I had a similar experience to Jen - decided that nails was my path and started surfing the net looking for courses.... Was about to sign up for the 2 day Manchester course, but carried on looking and discovered that Creative was a marketing point for techs already in business and went that way.

4 day foundation course in l+p was fab, 1:1 training invaluable and Brisa induction in 3 weeks time..... Lovin' it!!

I started with a one day course around five years ago, had a certificate to say I was qualified, but afetr getting a few complaints, discovered that this wasn't good enough.... Luckily I didn't give up, even though my confidence was knocked!!!!

I then attended an NVQ advanced nail technician course, and then went on to train with CND. I love nails and have now had my salon for three years. I update my training regularly, did my Masters last year, and am now completing my PGCE teaching course teaching nail technology at a local college. I Will be entering my first competition in March!!!

Thank god I didn't give up after such a bad start!!!......


Sue x

Hi,

I did my VTCT with my local college, my tutor also had her own business and was fantastic, she still helps me now with any problems that I come across. I brought books, subscribed to nail magazines and of course have learnt loads through this site. I went on a one day certificated nail art course and have always practiced nail art ever since I could paint my own nails. I am going to apply for my advanced cert with Youngs next.

I started out at the Carlton Institute Of Beauty in Windsor, we covered man & ped, acrylic, gel & fibreglass in 2 days. It gave me a taste for the industry & I took myself off to college thinking Id learn more in depth...how wrong was I!
Trained with Calgel then got won over by GMG on the Creative stand using l&p....have been a Creative l&p girl ever since!

After having my nails done for many years by her, my technician (Ladymac) became a Creative Educator and I attended her Foundation course, which was great.
Got to say in the beginning when I was desperately trying to bring money into my business, instead of spending it, I tried many other products and companies in the nail industry....not for long though!! Came back to Creative VERY quickly, did Masters, became an Educator myself...8 years in the business now...still love it!!!!
Re Izzidoll's comments regarding college training...we get many college trained students on our Creative course and not only do they know very little, the little they do know is invariably incorrect.

I started with Essential Nails Homelearn in L&P, & Beauty Therapy L2 to get my Mani & Pedi qualifications, then Creative 5 Day Foundation, EN Maintainance, Currently doing EN Gel & doing Brisa In April xxx

saving up a grand to go to my local college

Almost 2 years ago, I started my NVQ Level 3 in Nails via a Satellite Assessment Centre and a few months later converted to Creative and embarked on my Creative Masters Certificate.

I successfully completed both after 1 years hard work. However, I think I tried to do too much too soon and it was very draining, emotionally and physically. I was in too much of a rush.

I am now running a successful part-time venture at a Beauty Salon Thursday to Saturday and a home salon Monday to Wednesday.

I love the nail industry, have so much more to learn but am confident I will succeed through hard work, determination and passion.

what kind of course is that?
you could do a Foundation course for less and throw in a skillbuilding class too... just a thought.

its a 1 years NVQ level 2 beauty therapy course its going to cost £700 for the course then £300 for my kit