Today we’d like to introduce you to Rachael Waggoner.
Hi Rachael, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I graduated from CU Boulder with all intentions of going to law school. I took a few years off and decided to apply. I got in! I started stressing about how I would pay for school and started brainstorming. I went to nail school the summer before I started law school and it completely changed the trajectory of my life.
Through networking and jumping into the industry I was offered a phenomenal opportunity to work for the global brand L’Oreal as an educator for Essie. I shifted gears and when I was 3 years into the industry, I opened my first salon in 2016. My salon grew, the artists were phenomenal, and we were starting to change the nail game in the Denver area. In 2018 after insane persistence and work I bought my first building and moved to open another salon. This time I owned it and it changed everything. I was able to have total freedom and with the help of amazing artists the salon took off.
We made it through Covid and after the discovery of so many people loving the nail industry it led me into education. I had been traveling the country teaching, but I started exploring opening a school locally. In 2022 I opened The Beauty Collective Academy and have been running that since, in addition to the salon. I have incredible technicians and artists in my salon and I thank my lucky stars every day. Without them I wouldn’t have what I have today, and I really attribute my success to having these amazing people with me.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road, but I wouldn’t change the journey because every challenge has shaped who I am as a business owner and educator.
Like many entrepreneurs, I started with a passion for my craft but quickly realized that running a business requires wearing many hats—leader, teacher, marketer, accountant, mentor, and problem solver. There were times when I questioned whether I was making the right decisions, especially when faced with financial risks, long hours, and the responsibility of supporting both my team and my students.
Opening a private nail technology school brought an entirely new set of challenges. Navigating state regulations, developing a curriculum, building credibility, and creating an environment where students could truly thrive required countless hours of work behind the scenes. There were moments when the obstacles felt overwhelming, but I stayed focused on my mission: raising the standard of nail education and helping others build successful careers.
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that setbacks are not failures—they’re opportunities to improve. Every challenge has forced me to become more resilient, adaptable, and intentional in how I lead my businesses. Looking back, the difficult moments have been just as valuable as the successes because they’ve taught me perseverance, strengthened my confidence, and reinforced why I started this journey in the first place. Today, I’m incredibly proud of what I’ve built, and I hope my story encourages others to understand that success isn’t about having a perfect path—it’s about continuing to move forward, even when the road gets difficult.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I wear a few different hats, but they all center around one mission: elevating the nail industry through education, professionalism, and community. I’m the owner of The Beauty Collective, a salon I founded in 2016, and The Beauty Collective Academy, a state-approved private nail technology school that I opened in 2022.
While I still love creating beautiful nails for my clients, my greatest passion is educating the next generation of nail professionals. I specialize in helping students build successful, sustainable careers by teaching not only technical skills but also business, professionalism, client communication, and the confidence needed to thrive in this industry. My goal has always been to raise the standard of nail education and prepare students for long-term success—not just passing a licensing exam.
What I’m most proud of is creating opportunities for others. Watching my students graduate, earn their licenses, open businesses, rent salon suites, or build careers they never thought were possible is far more rewarding than any personal accomplishment. Seeing their confidence grow and knowing I played a small part in changing the trajectory of their lives is why I do what I do.
I think what sets me apart is that I’ve built every part of my career from firsthand experience. I’ve been a nail technician, an educator, a salon owner, and now a school owner, so I understand the challenges professionals face at every stage. I don’t just teach techniques—I teach real-world success. My students learn what it actually takes to build a thriving career because I’ve lived it myself.
Above all, I genuinely care about the people I serve. Whether it’s a client in my chair, a student in my classroom, or another beauty professional looking for guidance, I want everyone who walks through my doors to leave feeling more confident, more capable, and more inspired than when they arrived. If I’ve helped someone believe in themselves and create a better future, then I’ve done my job.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
I’m a lifelong learner, so I’m always looking for ways to grow both personally and professionally. One of the biggest resources I use is ChatGPT. It’s become an incredible brainstorming partner that helps me organize ideas, solve problems, improve communication, and streamline everything from curriculum development to marketing. It allows me to spend less time on administrative tasks and more time focusing on my students, clients, and business.
I also enjoy reading books centered around leadership, business, and personal development. Atomic Habits by James Clear has had a lasting impact on how I approach both my personal life and my businesses. It reinforced the idea that small, consistent improvements lead to extraordinary results over time.
Beyond books and technology, I learn the most by staying connected to my industry. I regularly attend trade shows, continuing education classes, and professional trainings to keep my skills current and bring fresh ideas back to my salon and academy. I believe that if I’m asking my students to commit to lifelong learning, I should lead by example.
One of my greatest resources has also been the people around me. I’ve been fortunate to learn from incredible mentors throughout my career, and today I gain just as much inspiration from my students. Their questions, creativity, and excitement continually challenge me to become a better educator and business owner.
At the end of the day, I believe growth comes from staying curious. Whether it’s through a book, a new technology, a conversation with a mentor, or attending an industry event, I’m always looking for opportunities to learn something new and become a little better than I was yesterday.
Pricing:
- One of the biggest misconceptions in the nail industry is that price should be the deciding factor when choosing a nail technician. While everyone loves a good deal, your nails are a service that directly impacts your health and safety. A higher price often reflects quality education, proper sanitation, premium products, continued training, and the time it takes to provide exceptional work. I encourage clients to look beyond the price tag and consider the value they’re receiving. Is the technician licensed? Do they follow proper sanitation protocols? Are they investing in continuing education and using high-quality products? Those are the things that truly matter. For nail professionals, I believe it’s important to charge what you’re worth. Pricing shouldn’t be based solely on what the salon down the street charges—it should reflect your skill, experience, overhead, education, and the quality of the experience you provide. When professionals consistently undervalue their work, it can lower expectations across the industry and make it more difficult for everyone to build sustainable careers. At the same time, I believe pricing should be fair, transparent, and backed by excellent service. Clients are happy to invest in quality when they understand the value behind it. My hope is that our industry continues shifting the conversation from “Who is the cheapest?” to “Who provides the safest, highest-quality experience?” because that’s what truly benefits both clients and professionals.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/thebeautycollectiveacademy
- Instagram: @TheBeautyCollectiveAcademyCO
