Today we’d like to introduce you to Becky Bunnell.
Hi Becky, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I started out 29 years ago as a Nail Tech before Utah required licensing, so you could say I was self-taught. I took my first class when my firstborn was 6 weeks old in 1993. Ten years later, Utah passed licensing, so I knew there would be a need for Nail Instructors.
I studied for the Instructor exam received my Instructors license and proceeded to reach out to the local college to see if they would be hiring. They hired me as their first professor of the Nail Technician program at College of Eastern Utah in Price, Utah, now known as USU Eastern.
I later left to open my own salon in Huntington, Utah. In 2014, we relocated to St. George, Utah. Starting over and rebuilding a clientele was a challenge but 1 1/2 years later, I was fully booked. I became an educator and then moved into the ambassador role at SO Gel Nails Supply Company, a hard gel system in Southern Utah, while still running my salon. As an Ambassador for SO Gel I educated and certified other nail techs to properly use SO Gels hard gel system and products. I enjoyed traveling the U.S. teaching a product I was so passionate about.
I created the first online class for SO Gel which helped span the reach of international nail techs and those techs that could not travel to a class. Then I began to add several nail art and business classes to the mix. Teaching has always been a passion of mine which led to offering Nail Tech Apprenticeships, as an alternative to Nail School for a more hands-on learning experience. I wanted to build a community for nail techs with others that were willing to help provide support, encouragement, and mentoring so I created the Tribe #nailtech podcast and clothing brand.
I believe everyone starts somewhere, we can grow into our confidence and talents with the right tribe of people supporting us. After 7 years of hard work promoting the SO Gel product I use exclusively use on every client, I was approached to purchase the company, and I couldn’t say no! Figuring out how to run 3 businesses at the same time has been a challenge, to say the least. Shipping orders out daily, email campaigns, production, ordering, labeling, and building a strong team while running the nail school, working on clients, and still raising children is a juggling act.
Sometimes I drop the ball, but every day I’m blessed and grateful for this amazing career that started out with a simple nail class. I have my own tribe of people that support me, namely my husband, children, family, friends, clients, co-workers, and now our companies new ambassadors, educators, and an amazing assistant. I’m so passionate about this company that offers a safer, odor-free option for nail techs and their clients.
I’m proud that it is made in the USA and my hope is to have educators in all 50 states so Nail Techs have the opportunity to learn and use this in their salons without the daily harsh chemicals and potential health issues that so many other nail products can cause.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has been highs and lows like all businesses struggle with but the highs make up for the lows. The struggle as a woman in business is that we wear so many hats. Wife, mom, maid, counselor, taxi, scheduler, bill payer, cook, nurse, let alone running a business and all it involves, and still trying to make time for self-care and vacations to fill the depleted cup back up.
And there’s the naysayers, the haters, those that don’t want you to succeed, those that will never clap for you. But, I’ve always tried to only compete with the person I was yesterday. I’m my only completion. I strive to be better and do better than I did yesterday. Your mindset and self-talk are everything!
Wake up every day and slay the day!
As you know, we’re big fans of SO Gel Nail Supply Company. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
SO Gel Nail Supply Company offers a hard gel system and other Nail Tech supplies and tools. We have an online store that ships across the U.S. and internationally. We have a team of educators and ambassadors that train nail techs and nail/cosmetology students about our products. Our products are 9 free, Hema free, hypoallergenic, and made in the USA.
Our hard gel system has the strength of acrylic but without the offensive odors and fumes. Our products are self-leveling so there is less dust and less filing, which is easier on the Nail Tech’s body. We are proud to offer a healthier option to nail services to our customers and their clients.
What’s next?
We are looking forward to growing our brand by attending Nail Shows and Expos across the U.S. this year and eventually having SO GEL Educators in all 50 states. We are bringing on new innovated products and support to help the everyday nail tech succeed in their careers.
Contact Info:
- Email: Becky@sogelnails.com
- Website: WWW.sogelnails.com
- Instagram: WWW.Instagram.com/sogelnails
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SOGelNails/
