The Solo Success Podcast

From Tesco to Fully Booked: Abbie’s Journey to Building HON Academy

Ever felt like you’re doing everything and still not getting booked out? In the final episode of Season 1, we’re joined by Abbie, solo nail tech turned educator and founder of HON Nail Academy, who went from working shifts at Tesco with just a handful of clients… to building a fully booked business and mentoring others to do the same. If you’re ready to stop spinning your wheels and start attracting clients who value what you do, this is the episode to kick off 2026 with. ✨ In this episode, Abbie shares: 💡 The real secret to standing out in a busy market 📲 Why posting client nails isn’t enough to grow your business 🔥 Her favourite luxury upsell that adds £££ every week 🧠 Why pen & paper is holding solo techs back 📈 How to get booked up fast and stay that way 💬 What she teaches her students to turn skills into success From strategic content to client experience to upgrading your booking system, this one’s packed with real-world lessons for every stage of your journey. Whether you’re side-hustling or fully self-employed, if 2026 is your year to get serious, start here. 📍Mentioned in this episode: → HON Nail Academy – honnailacademy.com [http://honnailacademy.com] → Abbie on Instagram – @hon_nailacademy → JENA Booking App – jena.so [http://jena.so/] 💌 Who do you want to hear from in Season 2? Drop us a DM or nominate yourself on Instagram @solosuccesswithjm Sponsored by JENA JENA is the booking system built specifically for solo beauty pros. No fluff, no fuss. Take payments upfront, send reminders automatically, protect your time, and look seriously professional… all for £19/month with no hidden fees. JENA’s your new favourite tool if you're done chasing clients or double bookings. 👉 Learn more at jena.so [http://jena.so/] If this episode helped you, share it with a friend or leave a quick review – it really helps more solo business owners find the show. Thanks for listening 💜

Finding Your Niche with Rachael Lomax (The Copper Queen)

Think your niche is too small? It might just be your biggest opportunity. In this episode, JM is joined by Rachael Lomax, aka @copperqueeneducation who turned her passion for red and copper hair into a global education brand. At first, she wasn’t sure if it was too specific. But after diving into her bookings and realising the demand, she claimed the niche and never looked back. Now, she’s one of only three people in the world specialising in this space. And she’s here to show you how to figure out what you should be known for too. Inside this episode: 🎯 The easiest way to identify your niche (hint: it's in your bookings) 📊 How to turn one service into your signature offer 💬 Why your niche builds authority and freedom 📸 How to show up online without chasing perfection 🧠 ADHD, hyperfocus, and building a business that works for your brain 👯‍♀️ The value of showing your mistakes, not hiding them 🗓️ Planning your year with structure, not stress This episode is packed with advice for beauty pros who feel like they’re meant to stand out, they just haven’t figured out how yet. Follow Rachael: Instagram: @copperqueeneducation Website: copperqueen.co.uk ✨ Mentioned: @thehairdressersocialclub Sponsored by JENA JENA is the booking system built specifically for solo beauty pros. Take payments upfront, send reminders automatically, protect your time, and look seriously professional, all for just £19/month, with no hidden fees. 👉 Learn more at jena.so 💬 Found your niche after this episode? Tap follow and leave a review, it helps more solo pros find the show and get inspired.

From Hobby to Award-Winning Home Salon with Michelle Brown

From hobby… to fully booked… to award-winning. 🏆 In this episode, JM is joined by Michelle Brown, solo nail tech and founder of Chells Beauty by the Sea, to talk about how she turned her home salon into a recognised and respected beauty brand without losing her freedom in the process. Michelle didn’t jump straight in, she built her business slowly and steadily while still working part-time, investing in coaching, and creating a space that feels just as special as it looks. We talk about: 🌊 Turning a side hustle into a full-time business 🧠 Why coaching gave her the confidence to go solo 💸 The difference between deposits vs card capture (and which one works!) 🎖️ Winning the Scratch Award for Best Home Nail Salon 🌿 Creating VIP experiences that cost little but mean everything 📱 How using the right systems gave her time and freedom back 🚨 What she did after a client fainted (and how she turned it into a strength) This episode is full of honest advice, mindset shifts, and smart strategies for any solo beauty pro looking to build a business that feels good to run. Find Michelle here: Instagram: @chellsbeautybythesea Website: chellsbeautybythesea.co.uk Sponsored by JENA JENA is the booking system built specifically for solo beauty pros. No fluff, no fuss. Take payments upfront, send reminders automatically, protect your time, and look seriously professional… all for £19/month with no hidden fees. JENA’s your new favourite tool if you're done chasing clients or double bookings. 👉 Learn more at jena.so If this episode gave you something to think about or made you feel seen, tap follow and leave us a quick review. It really helps more solo business owners find the show. Thanks for listening! 🎧

Why You’re Still Not Fully Booked with Jo Tompkins

Still not fully booked? No matter how hard you’re trying? You’re not alone… and you’re not doing anything wrong. But there is a smarter way. In this episode, JM and Sam are joined by Jo Tompkins, founder of Nail Tech Tribe, coach and mentor to thousands of beauty professionals, to talk about what it really takes to build a fully booked, sustainable solo business. And spoiler: it’s not about going viral or copying what everyone else is doing. It’s about strategy, confidence and showing up consistently in the right places. Jo shares powerful, practical advice to help you stop spinning your wheels and start building a business that works. We talk about: ⏳ Why getting fully booked takes time (and what to expect) 💬 Confidence & conversion: the two things holding most pros back 📱 Why marketplace apps might be doing more harm than good 📣 How to show up everywhere your ideal client is (not just Instagram) 🏗️ Building your brand before you pour energy into marketing 📈 The service menu tweaks that can take you from £3k to £5k/month 🧠 Why mindset is just as important as marketing 🧍‍♀️ And the hard truth: sometimes your most loyal clients are the ones keeping you stuck This one’s for the beauty pro who’s tired of pushing but ready to grow. 💜 Connect with Jo Tompkins: Instagram: @thenailtechtribe Website: nailtechtribe.com Sponsored by JENA JENA is the booking system built specifically for solo beauty pros. No fluff, no fuss. Take payments upfront, send reminders automatically, protect your time, and look seriously professional… all for £19/month with no hidden fees. JENA’s your new favourite tool if you're done chasing clients or double bookings. 👉 Learn more at jena.so If this episode gave you something to think about or made you feel less alone, tap follow and leave us a quick review. It really helps more solo business owners find the show. Thanks for listening! 🎧

Running a Fully Booked Solo Biz with a Little Help from ChatGPT with Coledoesnails

What do you do when the environment you’re working in doesn’t feel like a safe space, for you or your clients? You go solo. In this episode of The Solo Success Podcast, JM sits down with Nicole (@coledoesnails) a fully booked solo nail tech, JENA user and finalist for Nail Tech of The Year 2025, to talk about the bold (and emotional) decision to leave salon life behind and build a business on her own terms. From starting out in makeup and realising it wasn’t the right fit, to renting a salon chair that didn’t align with her values. Nicole knew something had to change. So she built her own space. Her own brand. And her own version of success. She shares: 🌟 The mindset shift that helped her finally go solo 📈 How a local collab helped her socials take off 🧠 The power of backing yourself (even when it’s scary) 🏠 Why creating a safe, welcoming space matters more than aesthetic 💅 The tools she uses to make life easier and business smoother This one’s for anyone who’s questioning the path they’re on and wondering if there’s a better way to do business. Find Nicole here: Instagram: @coledoesnails Website: coledoesnails.jena.site Sponsored by JENA JENA is the booking system built specifically for solo beauty pros. No fluff, no fuss. Take payments upfront, send reminders automatically, protect your time, and look seriously professional… all for £19/month with no hidden fees. JENA’s your new favourite tool if you're done chasing clients or double bookings. Find out more at jena.so If this episode gave you something to think about or made you feel seen, tap follow and leave us a quick review. It really helps more solo business owners find the show. Thanks for listening! 🎧