Nail Tech Spotlight Cory Jenkins
This month we’re shining the Nail Tech Spotlight on Cory Jenkins (@thatwelshnailguy), a rising talent whose passion for education, creativity, and community shines through in everything he does. After completing the HONA Complete Beginner Course just 6–7 months ago, Cory has already made his mark on the Welsh nail scene.
“I was totally new to the nail world and honestly didn’t know where to start, but HONA felt like the perfect fit. My old nail tech used the brand exclusively, and the fact that HONA is Welsh-based and hypoallergenic made it even better,”
From offering Welsh-speaking appointments to launching his “Nailed in South Wales” TikTok series, Cory is determined to put Wales on the map and showcase the talent within his community. For him, education isn’t just about skills, it’s about building trust:
“Continuing education gives clients reassurance. When I say ‘we can’t get to that shape today’ or ‘this gel will suit your lifestyle better,’ clients trust my judgement because they know I’m educated and informed.”
In this spotlight, Cory shares how his roots inspire his work, the role community plays in his journey, and what it means to step into an industry with pride and inclusivity
“Community is the space where we can be ourselves without judgment, share knowledge, and inspire each other. As a man in a female-dominated industry, that inclusivity has been especially important to me.”
If you’ve been looking for a reminder of the power of learning, connection, and celebrating where you come from, Cory’s story is one you won’t want to miss.
Q1: What HONA course did you choose to do, and what made you decide that was the right next step for your career?
I chose the HONA Complete Beginner Course. At the time, I was totally new to the nail world and honestly didn’t know where to start, but HONA felt like the perfect fit. My old nail tech used the brand exclusively, so I already trusted it, and the fact that HONA is Welsh-based (just 10 minutes from me!) and hypoallergenic made it even better.
My main goal was to gain proper knowledge, learn new skills, and feel confident in what I was offering, being a complete newbie education is everything to me! HONA really stood out because of their focus on teaching, their HEMA-free system, and their genuine dedication to supporting nail techs through their community and emails.
The course has honestly changed so much for me. The online training is amazing because I can go at my own pace… though I will say, sometimes I get to excited and do it as quickly as I’m able to! Gaia is incredible too, she always gives super quick feedback on the case studies, which keeps you motivated and on track. Plus, learning to use the HEMA-free products has been brilliant. It’s opened my doors to clients who’ve struggled with allergies or sensitivities, which has been amazing.
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Q2: Why do you think continuing education and upskilling is so important as a nail technician?
I think continuing education and upskilling is so important as a nail tech. The knowledge you gain from that very first course is an amazing building block, but there are so many extra tips, techniques, and little nuggets of knowledge that make a real difference when it comes to delivering high-quality services.
Since studying with HONA, I’ve also completed the Swift Tip course, again online. It was brilliant because it didn’t skip any of the fundamentals, it recovered nail anatomy, contra-indications, contra-actions, business safety etc, literally everything was covered. Revisiting this knowledge before learning something new helped me maintain my confidence in my work. Knowing the ‘why’ behind every step allows me to perform services safely and professionally, every time.
Continuing education also gives clients reassurance. Nails might seem simple, but it’s actually a complex industry, and ongoing learning and upskilling shows that the prices I charge are backed by skill and knowledge. When I advise something like “we can’t get to that shape today” or “this gel will suit your lifestyle and nail type better,” clients trust my judgement because they know I’m educated and informed.
Some challenges exist in the industry, but HONA makes them so much easier to overcome. And honestly, social media is a huge support too! TikTok and Instagram are full of tips, tricks, and inspiration from other nail techs, which is always handy when you want to learn something new or see how others tackle certain techniques.
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Q3: What does being a nail tech in Wales mean to you, and how do you see the industry growing here?
I’ve always been proud to be Welsh and deeply connected to my roots. Growing up in the Rhondda Valleys, I was surrounded by a lot of Welsh Culture, a mix of characters and creativity that has inspired me in so many ways, even influencing the techniques and designs I explore in my nail work currently. I love being able to offer Welsh-speaking appointments to clients, because I know how important it is to feel comfortable and understood without language barriers. Working with fellow Welsh nail techs and supporting Welsh companies is also really important to me. Wales doesn’t always get the representation it deserves overall, and in the nail industry, and this is one way I can proudly put Wales on the map.
Although I’ve only been in the nail world for around 6–7 months, I can already see huge potential for growth in Wales. Events like Nails of South Wales and HONA get togethers are fantastic, but I’d love to see more casual meet-ups, something as simple as a pub gathering, where techs can connect, share tips, and inspire each other. Many nail techs work from private studios alone, so creating spaces for casual networking could really strengthen the community here. Some challenges include access to local training, networking opportunities, and visibility for Welsh nail techs, but with more collaboration and support, I think these barriers can be overcome.
To help build that sense of community, I’ve started a TikTok series called “Nailed in South Wales”, where I visit other local nail techs and spotlight their work. It’s so exciting to show the amazing talent that other Welsh nail techs have here, while also making sure we are all staying connected and supporting each other across the industry.
Looking ahead, I’m excited for the future of the Welsh nail industry, more people are focusing on education, understanding the complexity of the nail world, and realizing how rewarding it can be. I can’t wait to see our community grow even more!
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Q4: How are you building connections within the Welsh nail industry, and what role does community play in your journey?
I’ve been building connections within the Welsh nail industry in a few ways. My TikTok and Instagram accounts (@thatwelshnailguy) have grown really quickly (which i am still shocked by!), and I use them to connect with other techs, share tips, and highlight talent across South Wales. A big part of this is my “Nailed in South Wales” series, where I visit other local nail techs and spotlight their work, this is one of my fave things to do as it gives me time to relax whilst someone else does my nails and for me to just have a genuine conversation with them.
The HONA community page has also been amazing for support. There’s always someone there willing to offer advice or guidance, and emailing HONA directly is so easy, they genuinely take the time to help you work through anything. I actively try to support other techs, whether through “Nailed in South Wales” or by sharing tips, and I’m starting to get involved in more collaborations and projects that highlight not just nail techs but also companies like HONA too!
Community is so important to me. It’s the space where we can be ourselves without judgment, share knowledge, and inspire each other. As a man in a female-dominated industry, this inclusivity has been especially important, and I feel incredibly grateful to be part of such a supportive, creative, and welcoming community.
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Q5: How has being part of the HONA family supported or inspired you in your journey so far?
The support from HONA has been absolutely phenomenal. Between the HONA community page, direct emails, and the willingness of the team to help, there’s always someone available to guide you, answer questions, or offer advice. It’s made a huge difference in my journey as a nail tech.
HONA also inspires creativity through their gel system edits. They give you everything you need to create designs, and at a discounted rate they make it even easier to experiment. Most recently, the Tortie Edit has been calling my name my Wishlist is absolutely screaming at me to buy it!
Everyone at HONA is incredibly helpful, but I have to give a special shout-out to Morgan, Lowri, and Gaia for their guidance and support. And honestly, I still can’t get over the fact that Charlotte, the owner, likes some of my Instagram photo, like, how does she even know I exist?! It’s actually so surreal lol
HONA’s hypoallergenic products have also helped me attract clients, particularly those with allergies, which has been amazing for building my business. On top of that, HONA is constantly growing and expanding their product range, which is perfect for me, I feel like I’m able to grow alongside them in my services and career, which is incredibly motivating
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Summary
Cory Jenkins (@thatwelshnailguy) is bringing fresh energy and pride to the Welsh nail scene. From offering Welsh-speaking appointments to spotlighting local talent in his “Nailed in South Wales” series, he’s passionate about education, inclusivity, and community.
Rooted in his Rhondda Valleys upbringing, Cory is already proving how connection and creativity can shape a career. If you need a reminder of the power of learning, lifting others up, and staying true to where you come from, Cory’s story is the one to read.