3 key Elements to Gaining Nail Competition Success and Becoming a Top Competitor. Motivation, Mindset, Mentor
To gain
nail competition success
and to become a top competitor, you must first understand the motivation that drives you to compete.
Ask yourself... Why do I want to compete? What do I want to gain from competing?
Maybe, you just want to win a trophy or money. If those are your reasons then that's okay. But if the money is your only motivation, you will most likely quit after a few losses. Unfortunately, the prize money is usually less than the amount of money you put into the competition. Money does not have enough driving force to create real success.
To gain true success in the competition arena, you must have a bigger vision or reason for why you want to be a top competitor. This higher purpose will be the driving force in your success.
Only when you have a higher purpose for wanting to gain competition success, will it actually happen. This could be the desire to improve your skill level and learn new techniques, challenging yourself to do better than your previous competition, gain top industry recognition honors and awards, gain a strong reputation in your salon and community, build an impressive resume....etc...
Initially, your reasons for competing may start out simple and should continue to evolve into something bigger. Whatever your reason is, hold it close to your heart and know that success is a reality.
To listen to interview podcasts of top competitors sharing their motivation for competing, please
click here.
Another aspect to competition success is mindset. Top competitors are committed, determined, and focused. They continue to acquire knowledge, master new techniques, set the latest trends, and are always challenging themselves to reach greater achievements.
Now, most top competitors did not gain immediate success. They too were once a novice before making that leap to veteran. It took me 5 years to make that leap and I did it by taking every pre-competition class I could, studied other top competitors, and practice what I learned.
When I started competing in the early 90's, most top competitors were unwilling to share their knowledge for fear of giving their "secrets" away. Fortunately, that is not how it is today.
Even though I came across quite a few seasoned competitors who were unwilling to share their knowledge, I did find many others who were very helpful. They became my mentors.
Guidance and mentorship can make all the difference in your progression from a novice to a veteran competitor. Allow me to be one of your mentors. Read all the pages on this site. Watch the free video tutorials and
download the Scoring & Judging Criteria Video.
Contact me with any questions. I am here to help guide you to success.
Also, find other competitors that you admire. Study them. Ask them questions. Learn from them. Take as many competition classes as you can. Become a sponge for knowledge. Also, review, study, and practice the criteria information provided for the nail competition(s) you will enter.
One of your goals should be to leave the competition show with more knowledge then you came with. That might be acquiring a new application technique, discovering a new product or tool, or learning a cool time saving tip. Absorb and use the knowledge your mentors share with you and apply that to your next competition.
Competition may initially seem challenging and you will have to step out of your comfort zone. This is truly an amazing thing because it is when we are challenged that real growth occurs.
And without growth, we wouldn't ever get better at what we do.... NAILS!
Nails are our livelihood. And our livelihood depends on our ability to create perfect nails. Our ability to create perfect nails determines our success in the competition arena and most importantly, in the salon.
Competition increased my skill level, speed, and consistency. I became a more disciplined, detail oriented, and efficient nail technician. My reputation, clientele, and success grew. Participating in nail competitions can do the same for you, if you want it bad enough.
So, take on the challenge. Grow. Become part of the elite. Brand yourself as a leader in the nail industry. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain.
Video #1 - Getting Started
Where To Compete
Now that you're motivated, in the right mindset, and have been mentored, where do you compete?
The leading authority and best resource to finding a nail competition is Nailpro.
Nailpro
hosts several competitions a year that include novice and veteran divisions, team challenges, and online competitions.
It is extremely important to read all the information provided for each competition you enter. Know it inside and out. You do not want to be disqualified because of a simple oversight.
Nail competition shows can also listed in both Nailpro Magazine and
Nails magazine
. When inquiring about a particulate nail competition, be sure to request a competition package.
Your Competition Package Should Include:
• Rules and Regulations
• Registration Forms
• Categories
• Divisions
• Competition Schedule
• Scoring System
• Judging Process
• Hotel Information
• Hopefully Directions
Pre-Registration
There is an entry fee for each competition category that you enter and most shows offer a discount if you pre-register by a certain date.
There are many advantages to pre-registering:
Spaces may be limited, so it is important to secure your spot.
Notification of show changes and/or cancellations. If you are not pre-registered, it certainly can be an inconvenience to arrive to the show only to find out the competition has been cancelled.
The competition director can better prepare and organize the competition by knowing the number of competitors that will be competing.
Competition Divisions
If you are competing for the first time and are afraid that you will be competing against the top competitors, don't worry, you won't be.
Competitions are divided into divisions so that you are competing among your peers.
Most competitions are divided into two divisions:
NOVICE: A novice competitor is someone who has never placed first in any nail competition.
VETERAN: A veteran competitor is someone who has placed first in any nail competition.
Once a novice has placed first in any nail competition they will advance to the veteran level for the next competition.
There are some shows that divide their nail competitions into 3 divisions:
Division 1 is for those who have never competed.
Division 2 is for those who have competed but have never placed.
Division 3 is for those who have competed and placed.
If you do not place in your first competition, you advance to division 2 until you do. Once you place (1st, 2nd, or 3rd) in division 2, you will advance to division 3.
There may be some variations in divisions from show to show, so please make sure when you are filling out your registration form to check the correct division.
Video Sample of The Scoring & Judging Criteria Download Video
This is just ONE example of the 15 Nail Competition Judging Criteria Categories that is covered in The Scoring & Judging Criteria Video, which includes: Tip Fit, Form Fit, Smile Lines, Length, Balance & Harmony, Groove Walls, Tip Shape, Arch Location, Product Control, C-Curve, Concave & Convex, Surface Smoothness, Cuticle Area, Polish, and Finish Work.
Download The Scoring & Judging Criteria Video A Step By Step Guide to Perfecting Competition Nails
