Last month Louella Belle announced that taking on the role of Head Of Education was none other than Jacqui O’Sullivan! Jacqui, who won Scratch Stars Services To The Nail Industry Award in 2015, has established herself as a teaching and motivational expert, and we’re excited to see our Education team grow as a result! We spent some time asking Jacqui some questions about her career and goals for her new role…

What are your Career Highlights?

Scratch Magazine Stomp Award winner in 2008 as “Most popular Industry expert” Voted by Scratch readers.

Winner of ScratchStars “Services To The Nail Industry Award” in 2015.

Being made lead nail art judge for WorldSkills.

Becoming a Scratch Magazine columnist.

Accepted the role of Executive Director Of Education with Louella Belle.

Also having the privilege of judging at many national and international nail competitions and becoming head floor judge for Nailympia.

How long have you been working in the industry?

I have been involved in the nail industry for 24 years

What first attracted you to the nail industry?

I always loved nails and watched a nail tech working on my mother’s nails and was instantly hooked. I then went and found some training and went to college and so my journey began.

Which qualifications do you hold? 

I have all relevant level 2 and 3 nail qualifications as well as level 2 and 3 make up artistry. I hold a level 3 qualifications in customer service and the A1 Assessors and V1 Verifiers award.

The teaching quals I hold are PTTLS, Cert Ed, Certificate Of Professional Studies from Manchester Met University and a BA (Hons) In Education from MMU.

What does being the Head Of Education involve?

For me, working as an educator gives me a sense of wonder or a sensation over every aspect of life and every part of learning. This experience of learning is part of the high expectations I hold for every learner. Wonderment is often the expression that tells me my learners have actually achieved. When there is an inconsistency between my expectation and the learner’s performance, then I don’t give up and sometimes have to find a “Plan B” for that learner’s success.

As an educator I stand shoulder to shoulder with my learners and take ownership of a vision of what can be or how to improve ourselves. I try to give my students the learning tools with which they will continue to learn after the course is over. I feel this can help them in their journey through the joys and frustrations of becoming a nail artist. As an educator I follow a holistic approach and love the quote from Forbs that says an educator should be seen as “more of a friend, a mentor, a facilitator, or an experienced travelling companion.”

What do you love most about your job? 

I love the variety that my work gives me. Everyday is different and I get to meet and work with wonderful people. Work doesn’t feel like work when you love what you do.

What is your day-to-day like?

Usually up at 6 and then travel to wherever I am working that day. It could be teaching, learning, clients for nails, judging, writing articles or a photo-shoot.

How do you continue to inspire your team of Educators?

As Head of Education it is my responsibility to inspire our educators. I want to lead by example and create a team that can learn from each other to improve ourselves and then pass this on to our learners. I want our team to be involved in decisions on how we move forward and I want us all to take ownership of our teaching and learning. Education is a key part of our business but it is only a part. We need to work closely with the whole team at Louella Belle and offer support to each other.

Who or what inspires you?

I gain inspiration from fellow nail artists, educators and especially my students.

What is your favourite nail trend this year?

I love all the wonderful Artistic Gel Polishes and also the different nail shapes people like, it is no longer just pink and white square nails.

What is your favourite Artistic colour and why?

My Favourite Artistic colour is Hotzy. It is a timeless shade and is a classic colour no matter what the season is. Red nails are like red lipstick; you don't have to be wearing anything else to stand out in a crowd.

Keep up to date with the latest Louella Belle news on our Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest!