News of Tom Holcombs death last night started a wave of condolences and commemorative post activity on Facebook, Twitter and Salongeek.com.
It is shocking and sad as there had been recent news of him coming out of his latest intermittent pause from the industry.
One of the most (if not THE most) awarded professionals of all time, Tom established the "standard" in competition nail which was loved and hated in almost equal measures. To date, he is the only professional that I can think of that literally had a style of nail named after him.
Though some may not be aware, there are few in the industry who are not somehow influenced by his achievements. What is the best way you can pay respect to someone like that? To thank them and to remember them through your story (large or small). So I thought I would take a moment to say "thanks" and to tell you the first time I met him.
I had the fortune of meeting him on several occasions where I was impressed by his high energy and fun loving passion. But the first time I ever met Tom, it was awkward.
See, I had only just started doing nails in my home town of SLC, Utah back in the early to mid 90's. I knew little about nails and my work attested to this. One tech who worked in the salon with me (The Painted Lady) gave my a small black jar to hold my monomer in (like I mentioned, I was totally new and a bit naive). On it was a picture of a long haired dude and the name "Tom Holcomb". It was the first time I had ever seen mention of another man in the industry, let alone a monomer jar.
The tales of his success introduced me the beauty of this industry - you could achieve anything you set your heart to as long as you believe in it.
So there you have it... I first met him on the side of a jar that I kept my monomer in, capped with a cork. Those that met or knew him would realise the irony in that... You could never cork Tom, his energy or his achievements.
So what is your story or rememberance?
It is shocking and sad as there had been recent news of him coming out of his latest intermittent pause from the industry.
One of the most (if not THE most) awarded professionals of all time, Tom established the "standard" in competition nail which was loved and hated in almost equal measures. To date, he is the only professional that I can think of that literally had a style of nail named after him.
Though some may not be aware, there are few in the industry who are not somehow influenced by his achievements. What is the best way you can pay respect to someone like that? To thank them and to remember them through your story (large or small). So I thought I would take a moment to say "thanks" and to tell you the first time I met him.
I had the fortune of meeting him on several occasions where I was impressed by his high energy and fun loving passion. But the first time I ever met Tom, it was awkward.
See, I had only just started doing nails in my home town of SLC, Utah back in the early to mid 90's. I knew little about nails and my work attested to this. One tech who worked in the salon with me (The Painted Lady) gave my a small black jar to hold my monomer in (like I mentioned, I was totally new and a bit naive). On it was a picture of a long haired dude and the name "Tom Holcomb". It was the first time I had ever seen mention of another man in the industry, let alone a monomer jar.
The tales of his success introduced me the beauty of this industry - you could achieve anything you set your heart to as long as you believe in it.
So there you have it... I first met him on the side of a jar that I kept my monomer in, capped with a cork. Those that met or knew him would realise the irony in that... You could never cork Tom, his energy or his achievements.
So what is your story or rememberance?
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