#WestsideMumboss Series: Nailpad
Happy Autumn, and welcome to a new #WestsideMumboss interview. Over the summer I tried out the Nailpad and found it super handy for mani’s on the go and on the sofa, so I asked its inventors, Tori & Carrie to fill me in on how they started up…borne through their own issues with at home manicures, this super cool new product allows you to keep the varnish bottle steady and paint, without worrying about spillages.
What inspired you to set up on you own?
Tori: I have always loved painting my nails and trying out new colours. One evening I was sitting on the sofa, precariously balancing the bottle between my legs and getting some polish on yet another pair of jeans. I thought there must be a better way to do this. I sketched out the initial Nailpad concept on a piece of paper and we went from there!
Carrie: During a weekly Saturday Skype call with Tori in 2013 (I was living in Hong Kong at the time), Tori showed me an idea she had been working on. It was the very first prototype of Nailpad, cut out in paper. Six years later, after multiple prototypes, design iterations, material testing, pot-holder and product shapes, we manufactured Nailpad. We have a product we believe solves a problem — we wanted to take it to market to help others paint their nails at home or on the go.
What were you doing beforehand?
Carrie: My career focus has been in marketing — mainly within the snowsports and travel industries. Since 2012 I set up as a freelance marketing consultant. When I returned to the UK in 2014 from Hong Kong, I continued working for myself, specialising in marketing strategy, communications and events.
Get Westside Mums’s stories in your inbox
Join Medium for free to get updates from this writer.
Tori: My professional background is HR and Recruitment and, for the last 12 years, I worked as Group HR Director for a travel company. At the end of 2018, it was time to pursue a new adventure and in January 2019, we launched Nailpad.
What’s your fave part about being your own boss?
Carrie: I have worked for myself for nearly eight years now and can’t imagine doing anything else. When I transitioned into marketing consultancy and now running Nailpad with Tori, the benefit of working flexibly has been a game changer. Managing my time and also family needs would not be nearly as easy if I wasn’t working for myself or flexibly.
Tori: It is really exciting to be running our own business and having input into all areas of the company. The flexibility is so important and being able to work around family commitments is invaluable.
What are your favourite local spots?
Carrie: I’m a big fan of Gunnersbury park and the little cafe with yummy pizzas for the family. I live near the Plough pub so that along with another favourite, the Grosvenor, are two great locals. Mooch is such a lovely independent gift shop — you can see all of the thought that goes into sourcing each product.
Tori: I live in St Margarets however I spend a lot of time in Ealing and Northfields with Carrie as our little ones are best pals. We’ve had some great family meals at the Ealing Park Tavern and really like the odd take away from L’Oro di Napoli! The Fields cafe does a fab latte (and is a great place to work) and our black lab Chevvy loves a run around Blondin park!
Thanks so much ladies for taking part. For full details of the Nailpad, go check out their website: www.nailpad.co.uk and their insta: @nailpad
