[Magazine Article] Mentorship within the nail industry

Top advantages of a mentor or a coach is having access to someone who's done the very thing you're trying to do. It's not theory, they're not just 'talking the talk', they've walked the walk! They've launched the thing, they've hired the team, they've raised the prices, they've dealt with the complaints, they have the systems and processes. I definitely see working with a mentor or a coach a fast track to success. You get to skip a lot of expensive mistakes, and they save you from making the same. In the mentoring and coaching space, we call it ''collapsing time'' - getting you where you want to get to, but faster; and support along the way.

2. How did you get into mentoring, and what drew you to this career path?

During lockdown, when the industry was feeling lost, scared and confused, I stepped up as the voice of logic - something the industry really needed at the time. I delivered a 2 week programme (for free) called 'Lockdown With Layla', and we would take a closer look at pricing for profit, boundaries with clients, working on money mindset, and lots more; and after the world started to open up, I was being asked by my community if I would continue my support - that's when I launched my mentoring services. 

3. Tell me about your mentoring  -  what makes it unique and what do you offer to pros?

I have a no fluff approach, so I'm told by my clients! My clients will tell you I'm direct, practical, and very to the point - in the best possible ways!

This is probably because I'm quite good at removing the emotion when it comes to making decisions business, and so I like to help them do the same; stop reacting anymore leading. I also don't just throw ideas in to conversation, I break them down. We look at the numbers (we always start with the numbers!) and then work backwards from there: the capacity, the long-term plan, and then I help  them make choices that make business sense. I've been in business for over 25 years, so I'm not guessing - I'm giving tangible, tested advice that my clients can act on straight away.

4. Who would you say your mentoring particularly suits? 

My mentoring is particularly valuable for educators: beginners, and scalers - I have something for everyone in the education space, and can meet them at all levels. I have a special connection to educators, due to me starting my own education journey over two decades ago. In 2005 I stepped away from the nail desk and stepped in front of a classroom, I then taught others how to do the same, and scaled into multiple training locations across the UK. I also help educators integrate mentoring into their training academies as this is the obvious next level for them, in helping them scale and grow their education business. My mentoring and coaching programme is called 'Coach The Coach' and is not exclusive for educators, but it's a very obvious next level for those already in the education industry.

5. What costs are involved in your mentorship, and how can interested pros get involved? Before I answer this, I want to say, that mentoring and coaching are not ''nice-to haves'' - they're business decisions and investments. The whole point of working with a mentor/coach is to get you further, faster. What you're paying for is speed, clarity, and support. My fees vary depending on the level of the outcome. I have lot of different programmes specifically designed for educators, mentors and coaches, for example I have my teacher training coaching programme Together We Teach, I have my programme that helps women in the industry start teaching online The Online Course Academy, and I have Coach The Coach, which is the only certified custom-designed coaching programme the industry. These programmes range from £1k - 3k, and then there is my Mastermind, 'Next Level'- that is a six month container, which is designed for those looking for more proximity, more high-touch, and wanting a much deeper strategy to build a Freedom Based Beauty Business.

6. Finally, what would you say makes a good beauty business mentor?

In short, an ethical one. Don't try and sell a solution to something you have never been through yourself.  For example, if you've never built a team, you shouldn't be mentoring a salon owner through team leadership. If you've never run a training academy, you shouldn't be launching 'How to set up a training academy' yet sadly we are seeing this happening online. A good mentor/coach has all the receipts: they've built, scaled, struggled, and adapted. They're honest about the highs and the lows, and I think what makes them that little extra special, is they won't sugar coat the realities of getting the desired outcome of what the other person wants, just to close a sale.

I'll tell you it's hard. I'll tell you you're under-charging when you are. I'll tell you to sack clients! Ethics play a big part in mentoring and coaching - I personally can't stand the ''I can hep you make 10k in 3 months'' narrative that is currently trending - you must be transparent about the outcome. Yes that can absolutely happen, but only for a particular type of person who is willing to go ALL-IN, which is often AFTER salon and family hours...

Finally a good mentor/coach is someone who empowers YOU to think differently, and make bold business decisions - not to make you dependant on them for every little decision.