Scratch shines the spotlight on nail, hair and beauty salon and training academy, North, based in Hartlepool.
Caroline Dean began her nail training in 2000 at her local college, qualifying in 2001. She has continued to pursue education throughout her time in the industry since, seeking both treatments and educator courses, noting the changes that the industry has seen since her initial qualification.
After working on a mobile basis for 16 years, Caroline made the decision to open her first salon, Atom, in 2017, staying at the location for a year before making the decision to expand. She moved into a larger premises, opening Caroline’s Nails Hair Beauty in 2018, which has since been taken over by her daughter when Caroline decided it was time for a new challenge.
“I had a background in equestrian, teaching adults and children and SEN classes, so I decided to tweak it a little and do nail courses, because this is where my passion lies in helping others. I qualified and released my own ABT-accredited and endorsed courses.
“I offer short intensive courses with ongoing support after training,” Caroline shares. “I love to support my students in their journeys and watch them blossom.”
Caroline proudly owns two salons and a thriving training academy which she hopes to expand in the future, recruiting educators across the UK to deliver her courses with her support and guidance. Across her premises, she employs 15 members of staff.
The staff include:
- Caroline Dean – nail tech & educator
- Charlotte D – aesthetics practicioner, nail tech & salon manager
- Charmaine JC – nail tech
- Carly H – nail tech
- Stacey G – hairdresser
- Lauren G – hairdresser
- Sarah Y – hairdresser
- Ellie M – beautician
- Beth G – beautician
- Beth Y – beautician
- Kirsty D – beautician & semi-permanent make-up artist
- Demi M – beautician & nail tech
- Leah M – nail tech
- Hannah – hairdresser
- Sarah C – pedicurist
- Eva P – hairdresser
Inside the salon, Caroline offers a wide range of nail services and systems. “My most popular treatments are acrylic extensions and builder gel. I use North Nail Systems, as I worked so hard on perfecting it and it’s just dreamy to apply and file. It’s unbelievably smooth and well priced. For gel polish, I use Halo Gel Polish.”
Caroline’s ventures beyond the salon saw her launching her own nail brand, which she hopes to continue to grow. “It was a long and difficult journey to get afloat, but now the brand is doing amazingly well,” Caroline beams. “It’s stocked at PR Salon Suppliers at both Hartlepool and York Stores, and is available on the North Nail Systems website.”
“We have younger and older technicians who cater for all types of client,” she says. “They all give a strong, professional service and have clients from all walks of life. Everyone is welcome and there’s no stuffy atmosphere, we’re all normal and approachable, friendly girls which is why clients return.
“I think the atmosphere we’ve created makes us different as we aren’t wild, but we have a lot of people express how comfortable they feel in the salon, it doesn’t have the typecast atmosphere that salons used to have and sometimes still do. We are a strictly no drama salon, which sounds crazy but it actually works.”
“In the second salon I owned, I was very limited to with my décor due to the age of the building and the condition of the walls,” Caroline remembers. “It also had to appeal to male and female, as we offered barbering so I opted for white and grey marble, brick effect, with semi industrial fittings.
“At North I had the whole place built out to my own specification – everything from the bathroom, kitchen, classroom, treatment rooms and stations. I planned it all with very few limitations.”
“North is girly, using muted pink and beige with foliage and flowers to soften. In the future, there’s lots more I want to do with the décor,” she smiles. “Everyone who comes in comments that it’s lovely and it’s warm and comfortable.
“My favourite part is the custom made oak carousel horse that my joiner brother helped with, she’s named Florence after my nana who recently was diagnosed with stage 4 terminal cancer. It really sets the reception area off as its the first thing people see upon entry.”