I've entered a lot of awards in my 14 years of owning the salon. I believe they can better you and your business, but they are not for the fainthearted.
I love the Scratch Awards for so many reasons. The process is exactly as it should be: a full portfolio of evidence that is judged, followed by a mystery shop. I've said this in previous blogs, but I use awards each year to map my year out. I look at the questions and decide whether my business could hold up. It lets me brainstorm, critique and improve.
Shortlisted again
This year I was shortlisted in the same two categories as last year: Beauty and Nail Salon of the Year and Services to Industry.
I'm not going to write a review that says everything was perfect. That isn't believable or realistic. The winners in my group deserved to win, and my salon isn't quite where I want it to be yet.
I lost marks for dust on a toilet door and for retail not being pushed. Every detail matters, I know that. But my business is so much more than that. The quality of our online response, our inclusion policies and diversity, the way every client matters and how we make them feel that, I'd like those to carry more weight. I'm ok with it though. We learn for next year. Next year, I'm painting the bathroom that month.
A thought on Services to Industry
I'd love to see this made into two clearly defined categories: Lifetime Achievement and Services to Industry. One for someone who has gone above and beyond and deserves a very special moment, and one for someone showing up for the industry in different ways, not necessarily as an active nail tech.
Alex won my category and 100% deserved it. If I'd won, it wouldn't have been right. But I also felt she deserved something bigger, a lifetime achievement. And it's off putting for people to enter a category when you know you're going up against icons who should win over you on that alone.
None of this is criticism. It's truthful reflection.
The night itself
The event is amazing. They have a pick and mix and a bag full of goodies for a start. It's the best awards night I go to, and the energy in the room is pure support and fun. It's an event I hope to attend many more times, and I applaud the Scratch team for getting the whole process so right.
