Never Too Old To Train as a Nail Technician?

[gildedlily]

I live in the UK, I'm 45 soon and discovered (early last year) a passion for nails! My professional life up to now doesn't relate to nails at all (teacher and then art restorer).

I finished a Master's Degree a couple of years ago (nothing to do with nails!), but does it matter if I've stumbled upon the fabulous world of nail technology a bit later than most?

The courses I'm considering at the moment are either the ITEC Nail Technology Diploma (8 weeks) - the nearest place to do this would be The Heatherwood Academy near Uxbridge. This costs approx £1100 (£595 is the course fee, then the exam costs and kit £355 is extra).

Or, the Foundation course with CND (I have rung them for the brochure with details of course length and costs as the Sweet Squared website doesn't show this) and then I assume I would add to this foundation with further training (as I would expect after the ITEC course).

I've read a lot of the brilliant advice on here, and I'm drawn to the ITEC course because it looks as though it's 2 months intensive training with a well recognised qualification at the end of it and I would be eligible for membership of the Guild of Beauty Therapists, which sounds sensible.

I don't know if you can become a Guild member with CND training - I would have thought so as the training is so highly regarded.

So, I'm thinking one or the other at the moment in terms of initial training.

I would definitely want to be self-employed, working mobile.

All thoughts on my thoughts gratefully received!

 

[shedunlop]

To be honest I would probably go the CND route. You will find that their training is up amongst the best in the world with experienced and talented nail masters doing the training and with the backup of a fabulous brand. You will be able to do further courses with them when you feel ready and will have access to their products through Sweet Squared. They are recognised by all the bodies including the Guild.

It is never too late, I trained 10 years ago and I am 53 now so not too far off your age when I started.

Good luck!!

 

[geeg]

I don't think you are too old!! :lol:

I think age brings credibility and experience for which there is no substitute. :hug:

People also have more trust I think in an older person. 30's and over I would be happy to go to if they had a good reputation ... younger and I would be not so sure ... it is such a personal business that I think clients like to 'relate' and most long term clients are middle aged. They have both the money and the time.

The only thing I would question is your choice of going mobile. I wouldn't do it for all the tea in China for many reasons. Bloomin hard work schlepping all the gear around ... way less than ideal working conditions (you wouldn't get me working across the corner of someone's table or ironing board or poof on the floor. I also really don't like the personal safety aspect of going mobile. Who the heck is behind that door?? ... who knows you are there?? You have to be very careful that someone knows where you are all the time. PLUS you can't do the number of clients you need to do to make really good money.

A home salon where you are static and can see many more clients in a day is a great scenario or renting space within an existing business is in my opinion the best way to go.

CND courses start with your foundation and finish with your Master Certificate approx a year later. Take them as you progress to the next level. They will partner with you to get you where you want to go and with wonderful top end products. That is the route I would take. A CND certificate is recognised anywhere and backed by the GUILD of course, right from the start.

 

[fena]

I'm 42y and just finished my CND foundation course.
When I turned 40 I wanted a change of career (sp). I always wanted to do beauty and nails, however when I left school this was not an option. I then had 3 girls and life in general took over.
When I was 41y i decided enough is enough if i dont do something now I never will. I enrolled on a waxing course and went to Ireland for a few days, still unsure if I was going to attend the course. Returned from Ireland and rest is history, lol.
I do waxing which I love and now nails. This year I'm going to enroll on two more CND courses, with the hope of getting my masters in the new future.

 

[deanosnana]

You're NEVER too old to do something you love. Best of luck to you!

 

[squidgie]

I've just turned 48, masters degree, used to be a careers adviser of all things til illness forced me to give it up. Discovered a passion for nails, trained over a year ago but my health has only just settled down so now at the practising on clients stage, overall no regrets whatsoever! As you are discovering, the peeps on here are great and very supportive. Whichever option you choose, very best of luck!

 

[gildedlily]

Wow, thank you so much for such superb advice.

There is a CND training centre much closer to me than the ITEC course, and I have been impressed with how people feel about the training offered - I can see real progression there and support throughout one's career, I especially like the chance for 1:1 when you feel you need it (this is needed in so many other professions!). Great, can't wait to get my brochure, do you think they will let me visit, have a look round before I finally take the plunge?

It is VERY heartening to hear that others came in to the field in their 40's, hurrah!

The drawbacks of going mobile had gone through my mind - not so much taking kit around, but the personal safety aspect, so I'm glad it's been mentioned (I have always been haunted by the Suzy Lamplugh case, she wasn't a mobile nail technician, but her disappearance really highlighted personal safety issues). Apart from making sure someone always knows where you are, it's true that you don't always know what you are walking in to. How do those who are mobile handle this and can they make a reasonable living from working in this way?

I could certainly work from home, that is a possibility, but I had in my head that I should offer both to be flexible. I can see though how you can fit in many more appointments if clients are always coming to you.

I have been to a nail technician who rents a small space in a salon - there's obviously greater overheads to consider in that scenario, but again one to think about.

Lots to think about, thank you.

 

[fena]

I used to do waxing mobile, it was a nightmare, packing stuff up, getting to client houses then unpacking. The couch was heavy etc. I always told someone where I was and phoned when I got there and left. I also looked for escape routes and as far as possible made sure I was near a door. (think this reverts back to my previous job where I had various lone working courses, lol)
When my daughter moved out i changed her room into a waxing room which is perfect. I still inform someone when I am waxing, my room is set up so i'm near the door. If its a new male client I have someone downstairs. (normaly middle daughter who is a nutcase, bless her.)

P.S I done kickboxing for a few years and practise boxing on the wii.............

 

[tigi]

I entered this industry last year at the ripe old age of 39. you are never too old to retrain.

I have been doing my nail training with CND after training elsewhere first and to be honest with you, my advice is simple, train with CND. I found their training to be amazing, and I am about to embark on my masters with them soon and a gel nail course at the end of this month.

As for mobile, well I did that too for about 4 months and then opened a salon. It wasnt for me, but I think its a personal choice. My friend is a mobile therapist and she LOVES it.

anyway, that my twopence worth and I have to say a huge welcome to this wonderful industry and an even bigger good luck to you .

tigi

xxxx

 

[Bagpuss]

Welcome to the site you spring chicken you...:hug:

With regards to mobile...I started out mobile but then got a home salon set up....i didn't lose 1 single client. Trust me, if they want you to do their nails they WILL come to you.

There is only 1 client that still go to for her medical reasons but everyone else switched from mobile to my home salon with no probs...to be honest I think some of them preferred it because they get that little bit of "me time" away from the house, hubby and kids...:lol:

 

[grumpycat]

you are never too old, i went to college to retrain as a beauty therapist when i was forty, and my younger daughter was on the same course but a year ahead of me, i love what i do now. good luck in your training.

 

[uniq12u]

Like others have said on here, never too old to learn!! I am thinking of doing an apprenticeship to do hair and I'm 52. I made a career change to do nails when I was in my 40's and have never regretted it. If it something you want to do or passionate about, do it!!

 

[fiona wallace]

I have to add my agreement to all the others, I completely changed my career at 39 when I trained with CND and never looked back.

 

[kimpearce]

My advice - go for it!! I was 48 when I discovered nails and trained with CND and qualified at 49! I haven't looked back, I love it

 

[gildedlily]

Thanks again everyone, the support on here is fab.

 

[Fairy_lily]

I was 46 when I trained as a nail Tech I worked very hard for the world's local bank and was bored and very restricted. I went to my local college and trained for 5 months saying that I have been on a few day courses with ezflow and NSI I must say that I wished I had taken that route and done a 4 dayer as the college course was OK but I learnt more on the day courses then I learnt in 18 weeks at college. I am building nicely and have practiced like made I think it was the best thing I have ever done and have met some great people ..... One regret I wish I had seen the light years ago ! enjoy :lol: