The Future of Nail Art. A one-day summit on careers, brand building, wellness, and technique for nail artists and beauty entrepreneurs. Shopify New York, March 20, 2024.
Presented alongside ACRYLICS: Hidden Sculptural Art and delivered through Nail Networks™, Beyond the Brush was a Small Business Advancement Summit that brought nail and beauty enthusiasts, professionals, and industry leaders to Shopify New York. Through panels, workshops, and networking, attendees explored the evolving landscape of beauty, nail artistry, and entrepreneurship, and connected with the commerce tools that help independent beauty businesses grow.
The day opened with Nailed It: Navigating a Career in Beauty, putting working nail artists on stage to talk through the business side of the craft, and closed with a look at where nail art goes next.
In between, it carried the exhibition's message off the gallery wall: nail artists are artists, and business owners who deserve the tools, the network, and the wellbeing to grow.
Program recap
Across one day in SoHo, the summit moved from career guidance and brand strategy to hands-on technique, mental wellness, and trend forecasting. Attendees heard from nail artists, small business owners, and beauty and fashion voices, then put it to work in a masterclass and a signature-style workshop.
Guided speed networking and the Polished closing mixer turned the day's conversations into connections, collaborators, and mentors within the nail and beauty community.
PanelNailed It
Nailed It: Navigating a Career in Beauty
10:00 AMCareer paths and challenges across the beauty sector.
Q&ASalon Talk
Salon Talk: How to Launch and Scale Your Brand
11:00 AMPractical strategy for building a beauty brand.
MasterclassTips of the Trade
Tips of the Trade: Advanced Nail Art Masterclass
1:00 PMAdvanced techniques and professional tips.
DiscussionMindful Manicures
Mindful Manicures: The Business of Self Care
2:00 PMBuilding wellness into the salon business model.
NetworkingFresh Paint Job
Fresh Paint Job: Speed Networking
3:00 PMGuided, structured connections, moderated by Bianca Rhule.
WorkshopSignature Style
Creative Workshop: Developing a Signature Nail Art Style
4:00 PMHands-on exploration toward a personal style.
PanelThe Future of Nail Art
Beyond the Brush: The Future of Nail Art
5:00 PMSpotting and influencing beauty and fashion trends.
MixerPolished
Polished: Closing Mixer
6:00 PMMusic, refreshments, and gift bags to close the day.
Two panels, a Q&A, a masterclass, a workshop, a wellness discussion, speed networking, and a closing mixer.
11Hours of programming
From registration at 9 AM to the Polished closing mixer at 8 PM.
ShopifyHost partner
Hosted at Shopify New York, 131 Greene Street, in SoHo.
1Companion exhibition
Presented alongside ACRYLICS: Hidden Sculptural Art with A.I.R. Gallery.
Our Commitment to Social Impact
Every Nail Networks™ event is measured against our Greater Good Goals, aligned to the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Here is how Beyond the Brush contributed.
SDG8
Decent Work and Economic Growth
Connected nail artists and salon owners with commerce tools and brand-building strategy to grow their businesses.
SDG4
Quality Education
Career, business, and advanced technique education for working and aspiring beauty professionals.
SDG3
Good Health and Well-being
Put mental wellness on the agenda for salon owners and their clients through Mindful Manicures.
SDG10
Reduced Inequalities
Brought independent artists into a major commerce partner's space, with open networking and mentorship.
SDG17
Partnerships for the Goals
Delivered with Shopify New York, alongside ACRYLICS: Hidden Sculptural Art.
Featured Talent
Beyond the Brush featured these artists and community leaders.
Aja Walton
Brooklyn-based editorial nail artist and essie ambassador, who spoke on the Nailed It: Navigating a Career in Beauty panel.
Bianca Rhule
Moderator of Fresh Paint Job, the summit's guided speed networking session for the nail art community.
Our Greater Good Goals scorecard tracks each program against the UN Sustainable Development Goals it serves, and the sessions that delivered it.
Goal
How Beyond the Brush contributed
Delivered through
Status
SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
Connected nail artists and salon owners with commerce tools and brand-building strategy to grow their businesses.
Salon Talk; Shopify New York partnership
Delivered
SDG 4: Quality Education
Career, business, and advanced technique education for working and aspiring beauty professionals.
Nailed It; Tips of the Trade; Creative Workshop
Delivered
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
Put mental wellness on the agenda for salon owners and their clients.
Mindful Manicures
Delivered
SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
Brought independent artists into a major commerce partner's space, with open networking and mentorship.
Fresh Paint Job; Polished closing mixer
Delivered
SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
Delivered with Shopify New York, alongside ACRYLICS: Hidden Sculptural Art.
Host partnership; companion exhibition
Delivered
Campaign FAQs
When and where was it held?
Wednesday, March 20, 2024, from 9 AM to 8 PM at Shopify New York, 131 Greene Street, in SoHo.
Who was it for?
Nail and beauty enthusiasts, aspiring and working nail artists, salon owners, and beauty entrepreneurs.
What were the sessions?
Nailed It, Salon Talk, Tips of the Trade, Mindful Manicures, Fresh Paint Job, a Creative Workshop on signature style, Beyond the Brush: The Future of Nail Art, and the Polished closing mixer.
How was it connected to the exhibition?
Beyond the Brush was presented alongside ACRYLICS: Hidden Sculptural Art with A.I.R. Gallery.
How can brands take part in future events?
Nail Networks™ events offer partnership packages, from product sampling and branded photo moments to VIP lounges and marketing placement. Reach out through our contact page.
More from Nail Networks™
Public-benefit exhibitions, workshops, and career advancement programming for rising talent and small business owners in the nail and beauty industry.
