March 07, 2026

Celebrating International Women's Day 2026

At HONA, our mission is to educate, inspire, and improve the talents of modern-day nail technicians while empowering the nail community through uncompromising integrity, transparency, and service. This International Women’s Day, we’re celebrating the women who have shaped the nail industry and built the heart of the HONA community. From educators and artists to innovators and entrepreneurs, these women uplift, inspire, and drive the industry forward.

The nail industry thrives on women supporting women. Every day, we see the power of community in the way nail techs share knowledge, celebrate each other’s successes, and use their skills to uplift and empower their clients. Today, we honour the passion, resilience, and creativity that make this industry more than just nails, but a female led movement.

Q&A With Women Who Inspire Us:

To mark International Women’s Day, we’ve spoken to a selection of women who inspire us across the nail industry and beyond. From educators and mentors, to creators, leaders and innovators, each one brings something powerful to our community. While this Q&A shines a light on just a few, it also stands as a celebration of every woman in the nail tech industry, the ones showing up daily, building businesses, sharing knowledge, supporting others and helping move this industry forward.

Amy Guy, Founder of Nail Tech Org

First up, we’re spotlighting Amy Guy, founder of Nail Tech Org; a powerful voice in the industry who continues to champion confidence, professionalism, and better standards for nail techs everywhere.

Q: What boundary do you wish more nail techs had the confidence to set?

A: I honestly wish from the pit of my soul that nail techs had the confidence to correctly work out their prices and actually charge them. I know how easy it is to think “it’s only a fiver” or “I’ll just keep her at the old price.” I did it for years. But those little decisions add up and before you know it you’re fully booked and still stressed about money or silently suffering with burnout. I want better for us than that! I want nail techs to feel calm when they look at their diary. To not feel secretly resentful doing nail art for free. To go home at the end of the day and feel proud, not drained. And to run nail businesses that give them the life they’ve always dreamed of. Because all of that is possible, but it starts with confidence. I am so proud to be a nail tech, proud of this industry for the work we’ve already done on this, and I am excited for a future that sees talented nail techs PAID for the incredible work they do x

Gaynor McCann, Founder NailMail

Next, we’re spotlighting Gaynor, founder of NAILMAIL; a brand built with community, creativity, and professional nail techs at its core.

Q: What do you want your brand to be known from beyond products?

A: Beyond products, NAILMAIL wants to be known for championing the talent, creativity and ambition of women in the nail industry. As a UK-based subscription created for professional nail technicians, each curated “Edit” is designed in collaboration with skilled nail tech influencers - spotlighting their artistry and celebrating their expertise. At its heart, NAILMAIL is about building confidence, community and opportunity for women who are shaping the future of the nail industry.

Jennifer Jones, Nail Tech & HONA Community Member

Next, we’re spotlighting Jen Jones; A Nail tech and much-loved part of the HONA community. Having once supported the community from behind the scenes and now stepping into it in a new way herself.

Q: What's been my biggest "I can actually do this" moment so far?

A: For me, it was not one big moment but lots of little ones that slowly added up. Handing in my notice at HONA and feeling the amount of support from the team was when it really clicked. I was not leaving the community I loved, I was stepping out from behind the screen and into it myself. Working in socials meant I spoke to nail techs every single day. I heard their stories, saw their growth and witnessed what happens when women truly back themselves. Without even realising it, those conversations were shaping my mindset too. I had spent so long cheering everyone else on and then I realised it was my turn to believe I could do it as well.

Meeting so many of those same techs in real life at events and now running my own business using the products I once spoke about daily feels like such a full circle moment, especially being featured for International Women’s Day. It has shown me that stepping into something new is not always about being completely sure. Sometimes it is simply about believing you can before you have all the proof. To my forever HONA family and the incredible HONA nail tech community, thank you. Although I may not speak to you all every day anymore, please know you gave me my “I can actually do this” mentality, and I will always be grateful for that.

Jordanna Kissoon-Carr, Content Creator & Coach

Next, we’re spotlighting Jordanna Kissoon-Carr, a content creator and coach whose voice brings warmth, honesty, and encouragement to the industry.

Q; What’s the best advice you’ve ever received from another woman, and why did it stick?

A: My mum always said, in school you are in a room filled with 29 other people, three of those might be your closest friends but if they are all off sick one day who are you going to play with. She encouraged us to build unexpected friendships, encouraged us to talk to others and just be open to meet new people.

It stuck because i have used this advice all my life, i shared it with the boys i nannied for and always encouraged them to explore new friendships and I continue to use it now. It's the advice that has helped me form friendships in this industry, allowed me to be in rooms on my own and feel comfortable and I hate to admit it but mums are always right...sometimes.

Chantelle Johnson, Founder of Clawgasmic

Next, we’re spotlighting Chantelle Johnson, founder of Clawgasmic, a creator, educator, and powerful voice in the nail industry.

Q: What message are you most proud of putting out online?

A: Ohh this is a tough question, but I think in all honesty I just know how freeing being in this industry can be. Being able to encourage women to believe in themselves and create a business that can give them freedom to work their own hours, be their own boss, work around their family and earn a great income is truly one of the best things. It is and always will be more than 'just nails' we get to give our clients a safe space, a moment to themselves, make them feel beautiful all while truly building businesses that make us happy and give us freedom and that is a beautiful thing!

Georgia Kent, HONA Educator & Salon Owner

Next, we’re spotlighting Georgia Kent; a HONA educator and salon owner who is passionate about raising standards through education.

Q: What’s the biggest mistake you see techs making, and what’s the fix?

A: One of the biggest mistakes I see nail techs making is focusing on the finished set rather than understanding the science behind the products they’re using. Beautiful nails mean nothing if the foundation isn’t safe or applied correctly. Things like prep, correct curing, and truly understanding the chemistry of your products are what protect both the client and the tech. The fix is better education not just learning how to create pretty nails, but learning why products behave the way they do and how to use them safely. When techs understand their products and prioritise prep, everything improves: retention, client safety, and confidence behind the desk.

Sacha Wilkinson, Mentor for beauty professionals

Next, we’re spotlighting Sacha Wilkinson; a mentor for beauty professionals who is passionate about helping women build stronger, more confident businesses.

Q; What is the most common self sabotage you see in woman building businesses.

A; From what I've seen over the past few years working with nail techs to better their businesses, it's that they compare themselves to other.

Never compare your day 1 to someone else's year 10!

Every day you are taking steps to your own goals, thats magical and it will inspire someone else who you will be inspiring without even knowing it.

Charlotte Henson, Co-Founder HONA

Next, we’re spotlighting Charlotte Henson, co-founder of HONA. Charlotte has always believed the nail industry can be a genuine pathway to independence, and that the right support, education, and standards can change what’s possible for women building careers in this space.

Q: What impact do you want HONA to have on women’s independence long-term?

A: “Long-term, I want HONA to give women the tools and confidence to build something of their own. The nail industry has always been a powerful route to independence, and through HONA we want to support that by providing not just products, but education, community and the standards that help nail techs build real, sustainable careers. When a woman can learn a skill, earn on her own terms and grow a business she’s proud of, it creates freedom and confidence that reaches far beyond the salon.”

Summary

International Women’s Day is a reminder of what happens when women back themselves and each other. Every story shared here points to the same thing: this industry is built on courage, creativity, and community. Whether you’re raising your prices, learning the science, stepping out on your own, or simply showing up for your clients every day, you are part of the movement.

To every woman in the nail industry and the HONA community, thank you for the standard you set, the support you give, and the future you’re building. Today we celebrate you, and we’re cheering you on for everything that’s still to come.