Nail technician is looking to fill a need through something she loves

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By Shawn Merrithew

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A new entrepreneur is looking to nail down the market in Carleton County.

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PHOTO BY SHAWN MERRITHEW

Certified nail technician Bridget Hibbs, left, performs a manicure on Laura Somerville. Hibbs recently opened her nail salon at the Clippers Uneek Cuts at 553 Main St. in Woodstock.

While she has only been operating for three weeks, certified nail technician Bridget Hibbs said she is looking forward to providing nail care and nail enhancement services to the region. Located at Clippers Uneek Cuts at 553 Main St. in Woodstock, her services include manicures, gel nails and pediques – gel nails on the toes.

"For a manicure, I remove the old polish, clean up the cuticles and file the nails down," Hibbs explained. "Then I do a massage from the finger tips to the elbow, which feels awesome. Most people love the massage. Then I clean the nails off again, getting rid of all of the oil, and apply new polish."

Hibbs added she can do a variety of designs to help enhance the look of the fingernails as well.

"I do the little gems and the little details," she pointed out. "They are permanent and usually last for two to three weeks. I haven't got into the art part with the brushes, but I'm planning on doing that."

After having her own gel nails done for over eight years, the Nova Scotia native said she enjoyed it so much she wanted to do it herself. So Hibbs enrolled in the nail technician course at Majestany Institute in Fredericton, and her interest peaked even more. She loved it so much, she said, she wanted to offer her services to Woodstock and the surrounding areas.

"It may be tedious work, but it is something I do enjoy doing," she said.

She added she felt it was something missing and needed in the region.

"I ended up having to go to Presque Isle, Maine, to get my nails done because I couldn't find anybody around who did them the way I liked them," she said.

So she decided to go into business for herself, and she hasn't regretted it.

"Business has been awesome so far," she added.

The new businesswoman said she would like to have more clientele but understands it is a slow process to get started. She has been gaining recognition through word of mouth, and she has stayed busy by advertising as best as she can.

Hibbs said her services are great for almost any occasion, from the bride-to-be getting ready for her big day to the graduate getting ready for prom night. It also makes for a great gift for special occasions – like Christmas, Valentine's Day and even Mother's Day – or just a special treat.

Her hours of operation are usually seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., but they are not set in stone as she is still in the process of building a clientele base, she said.

"I'll cater to customers anyway I can," she explained. "If they can't get out to see me, I will go to them as long as it is in the Woodstock area."

Hibbs said her prices do vary from client to client as "everybody's hands are different."

Hibbs urges anyone, who is looking to have a manicure done or just looking to spruce up their fingernails for a big day, to come check her business out. You won't be disappointed, she said.