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Carla Collier
Carla Collier - With 23 years of experience, Carla Collier is recognized as a leading industry expert in competition and education around the world. She is an international competition judge; head judge for Nailpro Competitions; cover artist; and her work and writing is regularly featured in the nail industry's top trade publications. Carla is a former salon owner, retired competition champion and former products educator. Leading industry manufacturers, publishing houses, competition directors and entrepreneurs have sought her expert advice in product development, competition and educational materials, such as training videos, textbooks and educator training programs. In addition, she has taught and mentored nail professionals across the globe. Carla skillfully balances her salon work with competition judging, travel and teaching to stay on the cutting edge of the nail industry.
When did you start your nail adventure?
My nail adventure began in 1985. My friend was going to attend nail school and asked if I wanted to join her. I said sure. I had never seen a nail done before and really had no idea that I had to use a brush to make a nail. My first full set took me 8 hours to do and they all fell off the next day :)
I'm sure that location always makes a difference. Do you find any similarities or differences between Nail Business in US, Europe, Asia, Australia?
I find that nail techs are the same everywhere. We may be different in culture and nationality but when we sit down for a class, to compete or to do nails we are all the same, it¹s as if there is no difference between us, even if we can¹t communicate. As for business and trends, I notice that with the world¹s economy in the state that it is in, the nail stylists that are keeping busy are the one¹s that have a niche in their area, they are doing something different. There are many techs that complain that the corner salon is stealing their business when really they are giving them their business. These techs are doing the same pile and file routine as the corner salon and charging a lot more for it, of course the clients are going to go to the corner salon. In the USA you cannot practice without a license - which I think is important. I was so surprised to learn that in most countries you can just decide one day that you are going to be a nail stylist and begin working on people the next with no training whatsoever.
You are running your salon for over 25 years. Have you ever tried to count how many clients have been using your service, or how many Nail Stylists have you been training during this time?
I could not begin to count, it¹s a lot. Some of my first clients are still coming. I have trained quite a few stylists, but more I have mentored.
Could you predict the future of Nail Industry? How do you think - what is going to change in next 3 years?
I think the gel market is only going to keep growing in the next years, especially soak off gels. This reaches a whole untapped consumer base people that want natural nails, where their polish will last for 2-4 weeks with no chipping and leave the natural nails undamaged. I think there will also be a rise in salons going ³green². I mean we need chemicals to do our work but as the sanitation demands press more upon us we must become aware of how much and what we throw away. Sometimes the best way to be clean is to use disposable products, like files, buffers and toe separators. If these things are porous they should be thrown away after each use and how good can this be for the environment? This is especially so in the US because the state dictates how we clean and what we use. Unfortunately it has to be this way because of salons that have ruined it for everyone by passing on diseases and infections.
You have great experience as a Judge.
Could you tell us about it?
I love judging! I competed for about 10 years and it was an obsession of mine. The problem was that many times the judges were not qualified and I felt like I wasted my money traveling and paying entry fees. So then a new obsession began, and that was to make a difference in the competition arena. When I first started judging I took forever because I didn¹t want to slight anybody and I felt I had to justify my scores if asked. I never wanted someone to ask me why I gave them a score and not have an answer for them. I am quicker now because as you judge more and more your eye is trained to pick up things much quicker. In places like Japan and Korea where there are 500 to 1000 competitors you have to be quick, and again I don¹t want to slight anyone. It gets to a point where you can look at a nail and know the C curve is off without even looking at the C curve. You know the side walls are filed out without even looking at them. Of course you do look because you must score those categories but just by glancing you know something is off. Rules on the other hand can become very sticky and knowing the right way to handle situations is something that is learned. Many competitors try to game the rules. By that I mean they take a rule figure out how they can twist it to find a short cut, who can blame them, competing is hard. Sometimes it borders on cheating. Some competitors will scream, ³FOUL!² and some will just think, what¹s the big deal? So judges & competition directors walk a very fine line on what to do. Sometimes the language barrier creates problems. If a competitor breaks a rule because they didn¹t understand, what do you do then? Knowing how to handle situations and be strong enough to stand by it is something that takes experience and can be very diicult. I really want to help competitors do their best and reach their full potential. There is nothing more frustrating as a judge than to see a competitor time after time, that has such great potential and talent, bring mediocre work to a competition because they didn¹t take time to practice and prepare. So I try to be as honest and encouraging as I can with competitors because I want to help them. Sometimes my honesty is appreciated and sometimes it is not. The thing about competing is it's all about change. If what you're doing is not working (you're not winning) you are forced to change. When you change you are learning and that usually results in winning. Losing or not placing should drive you to make changes and press on or quit.
So, it means that you have been judging hundreds of Stylists, am I correct?
Yes, hundreds, probably thousands.
I'm so impressed. You have a great contribution to the Nail Industry! How does it feel to be one of this people who have affected the environment so much?
It feels great to reach goals and touch peoples live right in the heart of their passion but it is also very humbling to judge such amazing talent and have to criticize it. I never want to take that lightly or with arrogance.
Who is your favorite artist in Nail Business, whose nail art do you admire the most?
You are trying to get me into big trouble! There are so many I admire but I cannot name just one ;) I have to admit I get very excited when I get to judge certain artist¹s work. Behind the curtain I never know whose work is whose by name but I do recognize people¹s styles.
Have you ever been in Poland or close to our country?
I think that Germany is the closest I have ever been to Poland. I am dying to return to Europe, it¹s been about 10 years. I hope to visit Poland one day as there are many gifted artists I¹d like to meet from your country.
Recently you have registered on Nailspace.
Have you seen in gallery of users any interesting nail art? Could you tell us a nickname of this lucky person?
I have seen a lot of interesting nail art!!! I could not pick one, I can¹t even get through it all, but there is some big talent showcased on Nailspace. I have added a few to my favorites but am no where near seeing it all.
Nail Stylization, which is your job and your passion absorbs a lot of time. Do you any hobby not related with Nail Business?
My other love is cooking! I wish to be a good photographer but it is only a wish.
Interviewed Magda Igańska
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