Meet Our Member of the Month: @byelsie_

The Nail Tech Org wouldn’t be what it is without its incredible members, and this May–we’re shining the spotlight on Elsie from @byelsie_ as our Member of the Month!

From her journey in the nail industry to her holy-grail products, goals for the year ahead, and what being part of NTO means to her—scroll to get to know her a little better…

Tell us a little bit about you!

I am 23, I have two babies Myla-Mai (3) and Grayson (11 months), I also have my first baby, my fur baby Missy, a miniature sausage dog.

I’m really passionate about creating a luxury, calm experience for my clients – it’s never just about the nails for me, it’s about how people feel when they sit in my chair.

Outside of work I’m spending time with my babies and close circle.

How did you get into nails?

I qualified in nails just before Covid, it was December 2019, I was 16. Of course when lockdown came I then couldn’t start taking any clients etc, so I went into starting press-on nails.

I made a TikTok and Instagram account ‘Empire Beauty Studios’. I was not confident enough to ever show myself, however I made videos of the nails and process and had a little Etsy shop selling them.

I sent them to a few influencers at the time who featured them on their stories, including Kaci-Jay and Sydney May Crouch.

At this point it got extremely busy, where my dad was helping me buff the tips, pack the nails, organise orders and postage labels, and take trips to postboxes, where we were filling them and having to go to multiple.

I then worked in salons renting a desk for a little while, up until I had my daughter at 19.

I then worked from home in what is now my son’s bedroom, and during my pregnancy with him had my home salon built, ‘the cabin’, which is where I work from now, returning to work just 10 days after having him.

It feels like it’s quickly changed from something that I had a genuine interest in to a business and brand that is elevating and refining.

How did you find The Nail Tech Org?

I remember following Amy and joining Insta Lives for tutorials years ago, and then from there one day stumbling across Amy and NTO again.

What’s your fave thing about The Nail Tech Org?

The community aspect is everything and how uplifting it is.

NTO has completely helped reshape the industry’s reputation.

It stood out straight away as being more than just education – it felt like community.

What’s your favourite course you’ve done with us?

The business program, its structured education around the back end of turning nails from a hobby into a business.

It’s helped me think beyond just the nails and refine my client experience and helped me shape it all into a functioning business.

What are your favourite kind of nails to do?

My favourite kind of nails has to be anything clean and plain – a solid colour on a plain builder gel, French, maybe some polka dots.

I have had my crazy nail art era, painting butterflies and the lot, which I still dabble in every now and then and with some clients.

Ultimately I love anything minimal that looks effortless and timeless.

Tell us about a holy grail product in your kit.

Glossify’s Naturabuild in milky pink has to be my all-time favourite colour, and slowly most of my clients are switching to this shade too.

Topped with Opal from Glossify, it’s one of my most loved sets on my Instagram.

In the way of prep, my Navy Katy nippers are my go-to and I recommend them to any beginner, so easy to use.

Who is your dream client?

Someone who really values the full experience – the calm environment, the attention to detail, and the luxury feel.

For me, it’s less about the ‘who’ and more about the energy they bring.

Do you have any future plans? Let us know!

I’d love to continue growing my brand, elevate my space further and eventually move into education.

Creating a strong, recognisable brand and experience is a big focus for me.

I will also always continue to educate myself in all things nails and business.

If you could sum up The Nail Tech Org in just 3 words, what would they be?

Supportive, educational, empowering!

Interested in joining The Nail Tech Org and to be in with the chance of becoming our next member of the month?

Click here to learn more and make the best decision of your life, you won’t regret it.