To answer my own question though, I think the Scratch Stars soon to be announced will be a new breed of nail tech's to be aspired to and motivated by.
But how did they get to be nominated, and what is their story?
I would love to hear from some of the nominees on this thread.
Are they the proof that working away in the background building a good solid reputation will eventually get you industry recognition?
I was nominated by I dont know who by or how many but there were over 1200 nominees for the scratch stars award and then the judges went through the list of nominees and then decided after reading the facts, what were the reasons people had nominated them for, and seeing examples of their work if they were good enough to go through as a finalist.
I was gobsmacked when I got the call to say I was a finalist in the Nail stylist section.
To be up there with people who when I started in the industry I looked upto made me very humble indeed.
I Can honestly say I dont know why I was chosen to go forward as a finalist and it was one of the scariest things I have ever done to date in my career, going to London for our interviews and practical. Then the long wait to find out who has won.
It all helps us to be who we are at the end of the day. There are those that want or need the limelight but don't really care about the finshed product, they just want to show how big they are by doing these celebs and shouting about it, where are they at the end of the day? They are the only ones blowing their own trumpets. The celebs, who's nails they do don't rave about them.....
I find it very strange and odd when people have come up to me at trade shows and said OMG your'e her from Scratch mag, or people who I have never met come up to me and know my name.
It is a bizarre feeling that for some people they feel the same way about me that I still do about some of the other names in the industry.
I have never ventured into the competition arena, prefering to enter online comps, I go to pot under pressure and know I wont perform at my best.
I don't feel that a competition is going to make me better at what I do or change who I am. I am just me little old Jen aka Busybee plodding along doing something I love and I dont need all the fame and fortune.
I am happy with what I am doing thank you very much.
I am just one of the lucky ones who is priviledged to be able to do what I love on a daily basis and get to share my knowledge and passion daily with others and my students.
Doesn't make me any better than the next person.
Just keep it real and what will be will be.
xoxoxox