Paiwa Loves – my story!

First of all, we would love to get to know you better! Tell us a little bit about you.. 

Well I get asked a lot about my name, it comes from Papua New Guinea, I was born there. We left when I was nearly 2 so I don’t remember much. But I was named after a lady who helped care for my mum when she had malaria. I’m married and have two children, aged 6 and 8, I live near the sea in the south east of England.

I’d worked in childcare for 20 years…. But after having my own, I wanted a different career, one that would adapt to family life and school hours a little better… I’d always loved painting nails for friends and family as a hobby. One day I just thought ‘Hey I could do this, it could work’ I looked for a brand that fitted with my own values, trained with them and that was that. I started working from my living room, but outgrew that fairly quickly, and I now work from my Garden Studio, it’s close to my children’s school and I can choose my hours of work. 

What do you love most about being in the nail industry? 

Everyone’s approachability…. During lockdown I discovered the most incredible community of Nail Technicians through Instagram, I had no idea how wonderful this community is or how many would grow to become people I call friends. I’m so Grateful ♥️ I also love the diversity of artistic styles out there…. Who knew nails could be mini canvases for art.

You have been in the industry for a while now, what has been the highlight?  

Oooo that’s tough… I’ve been in the industry for 2.5 years now, there have been so many recently, like being asked to feature in blogs like this. But my biggest highlight has to be becoming a mentor for the brand I represent and am passionate about. 

If you could chose one style of nails to do for the rest of your career what would they be? 

Florals… I love painting anything floral and leafy. 

What is on your goal list for the rest of the year? 

Well I’d like to do my teacher training, but this may have to wait till the new year.  I’m hoping to go to the USA, Covid permitting and I’m hoping to meet more of the wonderful technicians I’ve met online, in person. 

Where do you get your inspiration from?  

I get my inspo from anything and everything! Buildings, jewellery, fabric, nature…. there is so much inspiration out there, it can hurt my head sometimes lol.

If you could tell yourself as a beginner something.. what would it be? 

If you love something, learn it, repeat it until you don’t have to think about it… find a handful of arty looks you love and enjoy painting (we are all different, embrace what you love) some of mine are; florals & vines, tortoiseshell, quartz, ombré… master them so it’s easy and quick and it will change your business, adding a fantastic profit margin and offering a service unique to you.

 Thank you for this opportunity.

Much Love, 

Paiwa