Meet the Derbyshire nail tech who swapped retail for running her own salon
By Jess Watts | 21 March 2026 | Techs & Salons
From retail career to nail salon owner, Natalie Kirk has had quite the journey. Step inside her Derbyshire nail space, Nail Perfection by Natalie…
In 2004, Natalie Kirk was working in retail but had had grown increasingly disillusioned with the industry. When her mum suggested she try a nail course as a sideline, she decided to give it a go. Little did she know that what would start as a hobby would become a full-blown career.
Natalie trained with Jacqui and Sean O’Sullivan, learning everything from gel manicures to extensions, nail art and pedicures. “I had a full-time job at the time, but as interest in my mobile services began to grow, I realised that I needed to invest more time into my nail career,” she says.
“I took the plunge, handed my notice in and became self-employed.” Natalie adds that when an opportunity arose to own a nail salon, she had ‘nothing to lose’.
That salon was not only Natalie’s first nail space, but the first of its kind to open in the village of Breaston, Derbyshire. “It was originally a hairdressers, and before that a plumbing merchants,” Natalie reveals. “It was situated next to a deli, which worked well as we used to do open evenings together so I could meet potential clients.”
Natalie initially worked with her mum, before realising that renting out nail desks would be beneficial. Three talented technicians took up the offer, and the group began working alongside one another.
For the next 11 years, Natalie built a loyal client base and upskilled through courses with brands including Jessica Cosmetics, NSI, Gelish and The GelBottle Inc.
Then came an opportunity too good to pass up: a bigger salon. “It was originally an estate agents, and I had my work cut out with renovations,” Natalie reflects. “The building required a complete rewire, re-plastered ceilings, fresh paint and new flooring.” Through it all, she credits her husband: “He was my rock – he knew exactly how to organise everything and get it completed on time.”
Nail Perfection by Natalie boasts a carefully crafted interior that reflects Natalie’s personal style. “I’ve always liked clean-cut spaces, with a bright and airy feel,” she says. “I wanted my space to be both comfortable and practical.”
As a trained florist, Natalie also enjoys adding natural touches to her salon: “I like incorporating pampas grass throughout the space, and decorating hanging florals around my mirror to change with the seasons.”
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One bespoke addition to the salon is Natalie’s desk. “Being only 5’1, I wanted a nail desk that I could actually reach across, so I designed my own,” she smiles.
Nail Perfection by Natalie comprises five self-employed nail technicians who work alongside Natalie downstairs, while three upstairs rooms are rented by beauty pros who offer massage, facial, nail, brow and lash treatments. “These ladies are all stars in their own right, paving their way to a successful future,” Natalie beams.
Natalie herself offers gel and builder gel manicures, nail extensions, pedicures and toenail reconstruction services – with builder gel manicures the most popular. “I use different brands for different clients, depending on their jobs and nail types,” she shares. “Personaility, Lecenté and The GelBottle Inc are my favourites for longevity, durability and colour selection, while LCN UK is my go-to toenail reconstruction brand.”
Natalie’s services attract a varied clientele, with ages 18 through to 80 frequenting the salon. “Some of these clients have been coming to me for over 20 years and have been with me every step of my journey,” she reveals.
Natalie’s next steps after building her successful salon were obvious. “I always wanted to teach but hadn’t taken the leap into this,” she admits. All it took was meeting Jenni Coles (née Draper), celebrity manicurist & founder of the Personaility brand, who gave her the nudge she needed. “I can’t thank Jenni enough for her mentoring and support,” Natalie tells Scratch.
Having achieved her dream, now working as an educator for Personaility, Natalie looks to the future with excitement. “I look forward to supporting the next generation of nail technicians,” she says. “One day, I would relish the chance to pass my salon onto another aspiring nail enthusiast.”
Follow Natalie on Instagram, Facebook & TikTok.
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