Nail design training: Ria's experience report - At the Online School of Beauty, I found the perfect teaching model to train individually as a nail designer.

Please tell us something about yourself and your professional career.

My name is Ria. I am 28 years old and live in Winterthur. I originally completed a commercial apprenticeship and worked in online marketing. But then I wanted to try something new and looked at various further training courses. I wanted to maintain contact with people in my future job and be able to do something creative. That's how I came to train as a nail design expert. As I wanted to do my training while working, I came across an online course. I completed the three modules to become a nail expert at the Online School of Beauty via online lessons. I now work part-time in a beauty salon.

Why did you choose the Online School of Beauty?

For my nail design training, I explicitly researched a teaching model that takes place online. As I wanted to continue working normally on the side, it was important to me to be able to combine my work and training flexibly. I came across the Online School of Beauty's nail design online course. After gathering initial information and contacting the school, I realized that this was the right course option for me.

Were you surprised by the online-only lessons in nail design training?

Yes, I was amazed at the purely online lessons and the possibility of nail design training solely through online training. Even though I was explicitly looking for an online course, I wasn't sure from the start whether this would be possible. Otherwise I would have had to change my plans a bit and choose an on-site form of instruction. I was really surprised at how you can learn nail design independently and in your own time. But it went really smoothly and flawlessly.

Did you make a career change after the nail design online course?

The nail design online course changed my career. Not in the direction of self-employment, as my goal was never to open my own business. However, I was able to broaden my horizons. I quickly get bored in my everyday life and with the course and this new activity I wanted to bring more variety into my everyday life. I wanted to continue working in online marketing and be able to do something else on the side. That's why I completed the nail design course and can now divide my week between two jobs - 3 days working in online marketing and 2 days working as a nail designer. As a result, I now have a very exciting everyday life and always experience something different.

Was there a particular highlight for you during your training?

The whole nail design course was a highlight for me. Everything takes place online. And in an area that you wouldn't expect to be able to learn online. Despite the online lessons, I was always able to contact Jennifer Schweizer if I had a question. Or in moments of uncertainty. Once I almost went mad because I hadn't mastered a technique. Then the head teacher was always able to support me with tips. The common thread and the overall package are really the highlight of the nail design course for me.

Did you face any challenges on your way to becoming a nail designer?

There were definitely challenges on my path to becoming a nail designer. For me, nail design was a completely new field of activity that I had only heard about. But I had never applied it myself before. So you find yourself in front of your practice hand and know that now it's your turn. The first few steps in nail design until I had a certain amount of practice took some effort and many hours of practice.

But you never lost the joy of nail design while practicing?

No, I have never lost the joy of nail design despite practicing a lot. It was always a good change for me. I had lots of documents, training materials and videos at my disposal and unlimited access to them. If I got stuck, I could request additional support via WhatsApp, Zoom call or telephone. There was always a way to get in touch with the school. I always felt well looked after by the school during the nail design online course.

So how does a typical online training session work?

That is exactly the beauty of the nail design online course - it is very individual. Each participant designs the course themselves. I had three modules to complete and there was documentation, documents and videos for each part. Accordingly, I had to organize my everyday life in such a way that I could divide it up sensibly in order to acquire the knowledge in nail design step by step. That's why I don't think my approach is the same as that of other course participants. Because that is precisely the advantage of online schooling. Everyone can organize themselves flexibly and individually. For me, I tried to achieve a good balance between work and study time. You need a clear head to learn theory. The practical exercises in nail design, on the other hand, required a lot of time. I drew up a learning plan at the start of the course and tried to stick to it as much as possible.

So a lot of self-discipline is required to learn nail design online?

In any case, you need a lot of self-discipline for the online course in nail design. However, I think you need self-discipline for any further training. Regardless of whether it's an online or face-to-face course.

How has your condition changed as a result of the nail designer training?

The nail design training has changed the way I feel by giving me new knowledge. I was able to acquire new knowledge and can give interested friends tips as a nail designer. I was able to convince some of them to come to me for nail design training or even to complete the online course as well. It gives me particular pleasure when I can encourage others to look after themselves a little more and invest a little more in their own beauty.

Did you find it easy to take the step into a career in nail design?

At the beginning, it wasn't too easy for me to start working in nail design. It takes a lot of practice to be able to work as a nail designer. As no master has fallen from the sky, you really have to practise and try out a lot. Before I looked for a job as a nail designer, I practiced at home until I had enough self-confidence. Then I could stand behind my nail design training and was convinced of my own abilities. Only then did I dare to look after, accompany and beautify strangers. In the beginning, it was easier with friends and relatives because they knew each other. Before I left this comfort zone, I had to practise a lot before I dared to approach strangers. Once I had gained enough practice in nail design at home, I looked for a job as a nail designer. Today I work in a beauty salon.

Where would you be today without further training?

That's difficult for me to answer, I haven't really thought about it yet. Maybe I would have found an alternative or I would still be working 100% in online marketing. I don't know exactly. However, the nail design course has already given me more satisfaction. It also gives me the variety I need. I do enjoy what I do professionally. But when it gets too monotonous for me, I look for new challenges. And that's exactly what I was looking for and found with nail design. This leads to more satisfaction and a more varied working week for me. The good balance makes me very satisfied and happy today.

What did you particularly like about the Online School of Beauty?

Although the nail design training is a purely online course, the support was always present during the training. You could always get in touch or meet up in writing or by phone. After completing the course, it was very important for me to keep Jennifer up to date with what was happening next. After all, she is my mentor who helped me get into nail design. That's why I check in with her regularly and show her particularly successful work results. I also ask her if I have any difficulties. I didn't feel left alone either during the course or afterwards. There is always someone there to help and advise you.

So what is the difference to other YouTube tutorials that you can watch?

To get to grips with the subject of nail design at the beginning and to find out more about it, I also watched a few YouTube tutorials. However, the quality of online training is completely different to that of YouTube videos. In the nail design online course, I not only learned the technique as a nail designer, but also learned more about self-organization, time management and price management. You learn what it takes to become a self-employed nail designer. You can't achieve this depth of knowledge with a YouTube tutorial. You can't compare the two things.

Have you personally grown in your nail design training?

I personally grew a lot from the nail design course. For me, it was an introduction to a new field and a new world of topics. I come from a different field. Learning something new through further training helps you personally. The contact with other people and being able to support them with tips and tricks has strengthened me. There are also downsides to nail design, for example when someone injures their nail. Or making someone who doesn't feel so beautiful feel beautiful again. You also have to learn how to deal with such situations. I was able to grow and develop from this. And I can still do that every day in my nail design work. After all, you never stop learning.
 

Overview of schools and courses "Nail design training (certified)"