1 Clawgasmic Nail Tech Talks
To get you into the swing of the week, every Monday, Clawgasmic founder Chantelle Vermont releases a new episode of Nail Tech Talks to help, educate and inspire and she regularly picks the brains of incredible guests from all over the world. Some of our favourite episodes include ‘Why I am not a brand ambassador’ and ‘How to find clients without social media’. Catch PB’s deputy editor Kezia Parkins in episode 67, discussing her work as a session nail tech.
2 The Beauty Download
Hosted by nail tech buddies Faye Louise Dennis and Danae Gooch, the Beauty Download delivers fun, inspiring chats from the duo’s friends in the beauty industry to help listeners with their daily beauty business dilemmas. We loved the recent episode about avoiding burnout.
3 Clippings
Clippings is the official podcast of the Council for Nail Disorders in the US where Dr April Schachtel and Dr Katherine Stiff take a deep dive on all things nail disease. The podcast episodes are usually no longer than 15 minutes long and provide supertechnical bite-sized information on how different illnesses can affect the nails as the two review medical papers. The fascinating episode on Covid-19-related nail changes collated all of the research on this topic.
4 Confessions of a Nail Tech
Hosted by nail tech Rasheedah H. Muhammad, affectionately known as ‘Rah,’ Confessions of a Nail Tech covers nail business news and advice for those in the industry and lets you into her life and musings as a nail tech. Plus, seeing as Rah is US-based, you get a window into life as a nail tech across the pond. We really enjoyed her recent episode on robotic manicures where she discussed how automation could affect the nail industry.
5 Young Nails Biz Talk
Habib Salo, chief executive of manufacturer Young Nails, provides valuable business building ideas and strategies focused mainly on the beauty industry with the Young Nails Biz Talk podcast. With co-host Tracey, Habib talks in detail about everything to do with the nail industry. We really enjoyed the episode on busting myths around acrylic.
Making a podcast
Clawgasmic founder Chantelle Vermont started a podcast on Boxing Day 2021 and without fail, every Monday since, the nail tech and educator has posted a new episode. Now in its second year, the podcast Nail Tech Talks has thousands of downloads per month and a five-star rating on Apple Podcasts.
Why did you decide to start your own podcast?
“I’m aware that so many of us nail techs work on our own, which can be lonely. A podcast is something I would have benefited from when I was just starting out on my own in order to feel part of a community of nail techs that I could talk to, listen to and learn from.
“It was also important to me to create a podcast because of the conversations I was having with those I coach and teach. Social media is amazing but we only get to see one side of the business – the finished, flawless image of a beautiful set or perfect prep.
“I felt it was important to have really authentic conversations with nail techs about how they started, why they started, how they overcome any problems or hurdles within running and growing their business, and also for other people to pass forward inspiration, information and ideas. We’ve had incredible chats about business, pricing, boundaries and different things that I teach while coaching but this is valuable information out there on a free platform.”
How has the podcast boosted your business?
“I’m able to get my personality out there. People relate to you more when they hear your stories and get a flavour of your personality from having an open conversation. With all the guests that come on the Clawgasmic pod, you really get to know what they stand for and what they’re like as people. No one can be you, so putting your authentic self out there is the best way for people to get to know who you are.”
What do you love about running your own pod?
“Connecting with people and genuinely getting to know them. It feels like every single episode, I learn something new and I get little nuggets of wisdom from each guest. As soon as I come off a recording I’m just buzzing from the conversation and connection I just had.
“The feedback has been beautiful too. I love hearing people say the podcast helped them in some way – from cheering them up during a week full of cancellations to changing their mindset on something.”
What is the best piece of advice you have received from a guest?
“Julia Diogo – AKA PaintedByJools – said, ‘the worst thing they can say is no’. That really sticks out in my mind because I had admired her for so long and it’s something I used to say to myself when I was starting out.
“The nail community is one of the best, most accepting and welcoming communities out there. Never be afraid to DM people, because nine times out of 10 they will reply. Everybody wants to help and lift each other up… It’s a special group of people.”