It didn’t take long for me to notice a troubling trend in the industry—an overwhelming number of nail technicians were operating without proper sanitation protocols. This was more than just a concern; it deeply disturbed me. Many of these salons prioritized speed over safety, rushing clients through services while skipping critical steps in infection control. They didn’t require appointments, offered walk-ins, and stayed open late into the evenings and on weekends—strategically catering to the convenience of the American public.
But what troubled me even more was what happened after regular business hours. Nights and weekends—when inspectors typically aren’t making rounds—often became the window of opportunity for these salons to bring in unlicensed individuals to perform services. It was an open secret in the industry, and it posed a serious risk to both public health and the integrity of the profession. This disturbing pattern became one of the driving forces behind the creation of the Salon Professionals Alliance.
In 1992, I took what was supposed to be a South Carolina State Board of Cosmetology (SC SBOC) approved Continuing Education class—and I left completely disappointed. The cost was high, but the quality of education was shockingly low. Every time I asked a question, the instructor responded with, “You’ll need to contact the State Board.” I couldn’t help but wonder—what on Earth was I paying her for?
Later, I found out that she was a cosmetology instructor teaching a nail class that both nail technicians and cosmetologists could attend for CE credit. The class had 80 attendees crammed into a room designed for only 40. It was set up in a theater-style arrangement—hardly conducive to hands-on learning or meaningful interaction. I was lucky to have a seat because I always arrive early, but about half the class was forced to sit on the floor, cross-legged, lining the walls. It was completely unacceptable.
That experience lit a fire in me. I knew I could do better. I knew I had to get my instructor's license.
Determined to raise the bar, I immersed myself in the process. I began attending every single SC SBOC meeting, which at that time were held monthly. I believed then—as I still do today—that if I was going to educate licensees, I needed to stay informed. How could I provide them with accurate, up-to-date information if I didn’t know what was happening at the state level?
I was selected as the SC State Delegate for the National Nail Technicians Group, LTD. A professional organization that was fighting to improve laws help the advancement of Nail Technicians around the country.
With my vision in motion, I obtained my instructor's license (1993) and began teaching SC SBOC-approved Continuing Education classes for various groups across the state. I also deepened my involvement with the South Carolina State Board of Cosmetology, attending hearings regularly to observe how board members approached key decisions—how they voted, what they prioritized, and the overall “feel” of their direction. I wanted to understand the system from the inside out, so I could better serve those within it.
At that time, I also joined the only SC SBOC-approved Continuing Education Professional Association I qualified for: the National Cosmetology Association (NCA). The others were off-limits to me:
While participating in the NCA, I encountered several practices and policies I didn’t agree with—so I took bold steps forward. I attempted to open a South Carolina chapter of the National Nail Technicians Group (NNTG), which had a national footprint and a strong commitment to advancing nail professionals.
But the SC SBOC denied my request. So, I did what I had to do—I went to work changing the law.
They told me I would never get it passed.
They said that NAILS of SC wouldn’t last more than two years.
Well, now known as NSHA—Nails, Skin & Hair of America, LLC, this organization will celebrate 30 years on May 28, 2026.
What did they know?
They didn’t know this redhead.
Tell me I can’t do something, and I’ll keep working until “that something” gets done. That’s just how I’m wired. Of course, I have to believe it can be done—and that it’s the right thing to do. But once I know that, once I feel that—there’s no stopping me.
And I am passionate about this industry—your industry… our industry.
We are worth it.
The consumers we serve are worth protecting.
We all understand what can happen when people practice in the beauty industry without proper infection control procedures. We’ve seen the consequences on their clients.
We touch people for a living.
That is a privilege only shared with the medical and dental fields.
And then there’s us:
Nail Technicians. Estheticians. Cosmetologists. Massage Therapists.
Professionals who work with their hands, their knowledge, and their hearts—every single day. WE MUST USE PROPER SANITATION AND DISINFECTION PROCEDURES 24 HOURS EVERY DAY.
The Governor of SC, Carroll Campbell, asked me to sit on the SC SBOC as the Nail Technician Member.
Interestingly enough, I was informed by the Chairman of the SC SBOC Member, that I could not teach SC SBOC Continuing Education. He called me at home on a Sunday night to tell me that.
So, I did not accept the position, as I had bigger plans and had worked very hard to achieve them.
This was also around the time that the SC SBOC was being restructured, along with 37 of the other licensed professions in SC, and being placed under the direction of Labor, Licensing & Regulation (LL&R).
LL&R is the agency that enforces the regulations for all of the licenses that they govern.
I started working on getting the law changed, so that "Other Statewide Associations" could possibly be approved to provide CE in SC also.
All the hurdles, frustrations, and political roadblocks were well worth it. On May 28, 1996, I founded NAILS of SC—Nail Associates Interested in Laws & Sanitation of South Carolina. Our mission was clear: to provide high-quality, SC SBOC-approved Continuing Education, and to promote professionalism, sanitation, and legal compliance in the nail industry.
That same year, we hosted our first trade show in Columbia, SC , in partnership with Geneva’s Beauty Supply. We included live competitions and hands-on demonstrations—and it was a HUGE success! The energy, the turnout, and the enthusiasm told me that we were filling a much-needed void in the industry.
In 1997, we brought the event to Mt. Pleasant, SC, and once again, it was a resounding success. The momentum was real. We were creating a space for nail professionals to learn, grow, and connect.
But in 1998, things took an unexpected turn.
Due to a catastrophic mistake by one of Geneva’s Beauty Supply employees, the company had to abruptly shut its doors. That employee—who knew better—shipped 100 glass bottles of top coat without proper packaging or federally required labeling. The resulting fallout was serious. To avoid criminal charges and even heftier penalties, the company closed almost overnight.
That experience taught me a lesson I’ve never forgotten: one person’s carelessness can destroy everything you’ve worked for. I watched it happen in real time.
More Than Education—Legislative Action
Even without the trade show, the work didn’t stop. Around that time, the South Carolina Cosmetology Board was placed under Sunset Review, a process where the state reviews whether a regulatory agency is still serving the public interest.
We mobilized. We organized. And we fought hard to show the value of professional licensure and the necessity of Board oversight.
We won.
That same year, NSHA (Nails, Skin & Hair of America) also played a major role in advocacy efforts in Georgia, where deregulation efforts were gaining traction. In both 1997 and 1998, we stood with our industry peers in Georgia—and helped defeat those efforts. Not only did Georgia avoid deregulation, but they even implemented Continuing Education requirements, though those CE requirements were later rolled back. Still, it was a major victory at the time, and a reminder that united voices can make a difference.