Licensed nail technicians

    Thanks for Your Interest in Joining Heather’s Nail Boutique!

We’re thrilled you found us and are excited that you’re considering starting or continuing your nail career with our team.

Whether you’re fresh out of school or just starting to explore what’s next, we believe it’s important to understand how the salon world really works, beyond what you may have seen online or heard in school.

At Heather’s Nail Boutique, we do things differently. We're focused on education, team culture, and long-term career growth.

The info below is here to help you understand:

• What to expect as a new nail tech
   
• How our training program works
   
• Why being classified correctly (and paid fairly) matters more than you might think
   
• What real growth looks like here, and what it takes to earn it
   

We’re here to help you build a strong foundation, and that starts with transparency.

If you’re just finishing school or starting your career, you might be feeling excited, nervous, and maybe a little unsure about what to expect from your first salon job, and that’s completely normal.

At Heather’s Nail Boutique, we’ve trained many new nail techs, and here’s what we’ve learned:
Most people graduate without any real experience in the pace or precision needed in a salon setting. That’s not a failure, it’s just the nature of school vs. real life.

We don’t expect perfection on day one. We expect potential and a willingness to learn, show up, and give it your best.

You’ll start at $16/hour, and that rate includes every hour you’re here, whether you're working on clients, in training, helping out in the salon, or sitting in on team meetings. That’s different from commission salons, where you’re only paid when a client is in your chair.

What we’ve found is that most new grads need time to build:

• Speed (without cutting corners)
   
• Consistency (to deliver quality every single time)
   
• Confidence (which only comes with experience)
   

It’s not instant. But we’ll walk beside you the entire way.

We welcome experienced nail technicians who are excited to grow their careers within a supportive team environment. At Heather’s Nail Boutique, collaboration, consistency, and client care come first, and we value techs who share those priorities.

For those who align with our culture, there is an opportunity to earn elevated starting pay that reflects your skill and dedication. This is not automatic. It is based on a hands-on audition where you can showcase:

• Your technical expertise
   
• Your ability to deliver quality within time standards
   
• Whether you bring a current clientele
   

 Proven talent is always valued here, and we balance that with our commitment to a positive, team-oriented environment. 

Not all salons are set up to support new nail techs the way they should. A lot of places hire anyone, give them a chair, and expect them to figure it out. They may offer commission-based pay, but if you’re not booked, you’re not paid — and there’s very little guidance.

That’s not how we do things here.

At Heather’s Nail Boutique:

• You’re an employee, not a 1099 contractor. That means we take care of taxes, payroll, and provide all the products and tools you need.
   
• You’re paid every hour you’re here — whether you’re with a client, practicing techniques, learning a new skill, or helping with team tasks.
   
• We have a structured training program that’s built into your paid hours.
   
• You’ll work alongside experienced techs who take pride in mentoring and supporting new team members.
   

We aren’t a discount salon. Our clients come to us for quality, professionalism, and long-lasting results, and they trust our entire team to deliver that. We grow our techs with intention so that by the time your schedule is full, you’re not just busy, you’re ready.

If you are new to the industry, it is easy to assume that commission means you are making more, but that is not always the case. What many new nail techs do not realize is that how you are paid and how you are classified can have a big impact on your financial stability, legal protections, and long-term career growth.

In many salons, technicians are misclassified as independent contractors, despite the law requiring them to be treated as employees. Misclassification is not always intentional, but it is still a serious issue, and it usually puts the burden of taxes and liability on the technician, not the salon.

Here is what the IRS looks at to decide whether someone is truly an independent contractor or actually an employee:

✅ Quick Check: Are You Actually an Employee?
If even one of the following is true, then you may be misclassified as a contractor, and legally you should be treated and protected as an employee:

• The salon sets your schedule
   
• The salon tells you how to perform services
   
• The salon sets the prices for services
   
• The salon provides the products and tools
   
• Clients pay the salon, and then you are paid a portion
   
• You are paid commission without sending invoices, which a true independent contractor would do to bill the salon as a separate business
   
• You are required to attend meetings or trainings
   
• You are not allowed to work freely at other salons
   
• You are not expected to market your own services or run your own booking system
   

 If this sounds familiar, you are not running a business; you are working for one. And you deserve to be paid and protected accordingly. That includes important protections like workers’ compensation if you get hurt and unemployment insurance if you ever lose your job. Independent contractors do not receive either of these benefits, but employees do. 

💵 No Tax on Tips and What This Means for You
The new No Tax on Tips law is one of the biggest wins our industry has ever seen. But here is what most people do not realize: you only get this benefit if your tips are reported correctly through payroll.

• At many salons, technicians are misclassified as 1099 contractors. Tips often are not tracked properly, which means those techs will not qualify for the new tax break.
   
• If your tips are not recorded, the IRS treats them as regular taxable income. You will end up owing more in taxes, and you will not see the benefit this law was designed to give you.
   
• At Heather’s Nail Boutique, we classify every technician correctly as a W-2 employee and record tips the right way through payroll. At HNB, your tips are recorded properly so you qualify for the No Tax on Tips law. This means more money stays in your pocket.
   

This is a game-changer and one of the biggest reasons why being employed and classified properly at HNB protects your income and your future.

🛡️ How We Do It at Heather’s Nail Boutique
Here is what makes us different and why it matters:

• You are a W-2 employee, not a contractor
   
• We handle tax withholding and pay our share so you are not surprised at tax time
   
• You are paid for every hour you are here, not just when you are with a client
   
• We provide products, tools, and training
   
• You are part of a team, not just a name on the schedule
   

 We have built a salon where you can grow your skills, protect your future, and feel supported every step of the way, not taken advantage of just because you are new. 

What we offer is stability and real opportunity, and when you are building a long-term career, that is what matters most. 

No one walks into their first salon job ready to handle a full schedule with perfect timing, flawless technique, and total confidence, and we don’t expect that from you.

At Heather’s Nail Boutique, we invest in every new team member with a structured training program that’s designed to build your skills, your confidence, and your speed,  step by step.

You’ll be paid for every hour you spend training, and you won’t be rushed to “figure it out” on your own. Our team-based culture means we all support each other, and your growth matters to everyone here.

During training, you’ll learn:

• Our signature service protocols
   
• Proper techniques for all of our services, with a focus on quality, consistency, and client safety
   
• Real-time client communication and timing strategies
   
• How to safely and consistently deliver results that clients come back for
   

We don’t just want you to know what to do; we want you to understand why it works, so you can stand behind your work with confidence.

This is a place where asking questions is encouraged, practice is expected, and growth is part of the job.

 If you’ve read this far, thank you. That tells us you’re thoughtful, intentional, and taking your career seriously. That’s exactly the kind of person we want on our team.

Here’s what to expect from here:

1. We’ll review your application and reach out if we think you could be a fit.
    
2. If we move forward, we may schedule a quick phone call to get to know you better.
    
3. For licensed techs, we’ll likely ask for a hands-on audition so we can see your work in action.
    
4. For new or in-school applicants, we’ll talk through timing and where you are in your journey.
    

If we’re not the right fit, we’ll always let you know respectfully and clearly. We know how important it is to feel seen, especially when you're just starting out.

And if we are the right fit?
You’ll be joining a team that invests in you, supports your growth, and wants to see you succeed, not just for a few months but for years to come.