Q1 2021

84 | Q1 2021 Oct20329 Pedicure Perfection Located at John Lewis Cribbs Causeway and Clifton Village, Bristol; The Nailhouse is a boutique nail bar offering a service menu dedicated to manicure and pedicure treatments. Following its well-deserved success in the Southern Enterprise Awards 2020, we got in touch with sister / brother owners Abigail and James to find out more. Whilst believing that health and beauty go hand in hand, The Nailhouse furthers your at-home experience with a carefully curated selection of skincare, lifestyle, and wellness goods. To start, Abigail provides a brief overview of the family business and offers more insight into its clientele. “Here at The Nailhouse, we adopt a modern approach to nail treatments, providing personalised attention and timely services using high-quality organic products at a reasonable price in comfortable and beautiful surroundings. And by partnering with small UK companies as much as possible, we are able to support busy lifestyles and provide an accessible luxury service to our clients here in Bristol.” Across the city of Bristol and surrounding region the business is in direct competition with several other beauty salons, however as James goes on to explain, its expertise in one discipline and focus on healthy nails has allowed the team to distance itself from the crowd. “Whilst we have respect for what others do in the industry, we like to take a fresh approach and commit to our own convictions. So in a move away from the standard beauty salon, we only offer nail treatments, preferring to specialise and provide an expert service in one area opposed to many. Additionally (and controversially in the beginning) since we don’t agree with the poor condition acrylics and extensions cause to nails, we only work on natural nails. He adds “Here at The Nailhouse you won’t experience any excessive cuticle cutting, abrasive filing, vigorous gel removals, skin-aging UV lights or dehydrating nail polish remover. “Another key differentiation in comparison to our peer businesses is our refusal to use chemical loaded products in treatments” Abigail continues. “Anything you put on your skin should never be a mystery and that’s something we reinforce here using organic, hand-blended products. We also limit the environmental impact of laundry by replacing standard towels with hygienic, biodegradable and recyclable towels which are free of bleach and perfect for sensitive skin.” In its attempts to ensure all members of staff are equipped to provide the best possible service, the business promotes a collaborative working environment as James explains further. “Naturally, we encourage interactive relationships between our team, vendors and clients. Through open communication, we further encourage feedback and swift responses to all comments and suggestions. To support new recruits, we operate an in-house training and apprenticeship programme and encourage participation in the development of business skills, so they are able to choose and test the products we sell in our retail boutique.” During the outbreak of COVID-19, The Nailhouse has managed to reopen between lockdown periods by putting in place a number of safety measures as James elaborates further. “We have implemented measures including social distancing, temperature monitoring, personal protection equipment and additional cleaning rotations to ensure the safety of our staff and clients. We also expedited the launch of our online booking system to allow clients to schedule appointments and pay directly in advance. “Also in 2017, says Abigail “we wanted to offer our staff and clients a kinder alternative to aggressive hand sanitisers on the market and collaborated on the development of a fully active sanitiser product made from organic alcohol, essential oils and mineral rich spring water, . This item has become one of our highest selling retail products during the outbreak of COVID-19. Bringing the interview to a close, James signs off by discussing a few of the main benefits of the nailbar’s location before outlining some of its plans for the rest of 2021 and beyond. “With Bristol and the South being such an influential hub of commerce and culture, we place great importance on building relationships with the community and local businesses and supporting our local Clifton Village BID ( Business Improvement District). Typically, we are active in supplying gift vouchers to local charity events, volunteering at local events, and collaborating with a collective of local businesses for a bridal package offered at wedding fairs. Last year we expanded to open our first concession with John Lewis & Partners at their Cribbs Causeway location and we look forward to implementing further expansion opportunities. We are looking forward to welcoming clients back from 12th April as we continue our commitment to push boundaries and improve our business. Company: The Nailhouse Contact: Abigail and James Email : [email protected] Website: www.thenailhouse.co.uk