Nail Tech Spotlight Emily Robyn
This month, we’re shining the nail tech spotlight on entrepreneur and educator Emily Robyn @emilyrobynnailartist. From mastering Russian manicures to hosting sell-out nail art and business masterclasses, Emily has built a reputation for precision, passion, and honest advice. But her journey isn’t just about technique, it’s about mindset, growth, and backing yourself.
After making the bold move from employee to entrepreneur, Emily has never looked back. She’s become a true advocate for hard gel, swapping builder gel for a product that lets her create structure and strength without compromising on style. Her message is clear: if you’ve got goals, go after them because no one else is going to build your dream for you.
In this blog, Emily shares her thoughts on confidence, success, and why seeing other nail techs grow through her training is the most rewarding part of it all. From learning to critique her own work to dreaming of a family-filled future (and maybe even a house in Ibiza), this one’s packed with real talk and inspiration.
Q: What were the biggest mindset or practical shifts you had to make when going self-employed, and how did you navigate them?
A: The biggest way I had to adapt when going self-employed was understanding that nothing is personal. If you get a lot of cancellations, look at why that is. Is it the summer holidays? Are people a little tight on money at the moment? Or, being realistic, is there something I could improve on to eliminate the future chances of cancellations?
You also need to be really honest with yourself and critique your work as if it is someone else’s and ditch any ego surrounding that. I have always looked at my work impartially, known where I have needed to improve and made the steps to do so even when that has been quite hard.
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Q: As someone who's built multiple income streams within the nail industry, what advice would you give to techs wanting to expand beyond just doing clients?
A: My advice would be to stop being scared. Not doing something that could actually change your life because you’re scared of it not working is the fastest way to make sure that it doesn’t. Just go for it! No one else is building your dreams for you.
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Q: What’s been the most rewarding part of teaching/helping other techs - whether it’s nail art, Russian manicures, or business skills?
A: The most rewarding part of teaching other techs has been and will always be seeing other people grow their confidence with their work. I know how it feels to feel a bit uneducated and like I just couldn’t get the results I so wanted. To have Nail Techs come to me and show me their before and afters after my training genuinely makes me want to cry with happiness it is amazing.
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Q: You're a huge advocate for hard gel and have spoken openly about moving away from builder gel. What led you to that decision, and how has TrueSculpt supported the way you work?
A: My transition from Builder to Hard Gel has been a really natural one - I don’t like the way that builder gel looks when it’s applied to thick to support a longer structure. It always annoyed me that to get the support, the shape of the nail had to change. Once I found Hard Gel and realised I can build the perfect nail, no matter the length and shape without it looking bulky with a massive apex - I just never went back.
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Q: What does success look like to you now vs when you first started in the industry?
A: Success looks very different to me now than it did when I started in this industry. When I started my idea of success was earning £300 a week and being able to pay my bills, buy some food and maybe have some left over to go for a glass of wine with one of my friends.
However, now my idea of success is being able to afford to support a healthy and happy family. I have always wanted children but I was always terrified I wouldn’t be able to financially support them - which I could now. (oh yeah - and if we are being very honest - a house on Ibiza would be lovely and I would definitely call that one a success - a girl can dream 😂)
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Summary
Emily Robyn’s story is a powerful reminder that success doesn’t happen overnight. It’s built through mindset shifts, honest self-reflection, and the courage to back yourself. From swapping builder gel for hard gel to leading the next generation of nail techs through her training, Emily continues to push boundaries and inspire others to chase their goals without fear. Her journey is one of growth, grit, and dreaming big—and she’s only just getting started.