The Blog

Meet the Member
Becci from This is Gel

Tell us about your businesses, the inspiration behind it and when you launched it?
I launched This is Gel after suffering with allergic reactions to gel nail polishes containing an ingredient known as HEMA (2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate – a common ingredient yet the number 1 allergen in gel nail polish according to the CTPA) that were used by my local salons. I would feel burning, swelling, redness and rashes whenever I got my nails done. When I was then doing my nail technician certification, I couldn’t find a brand on the market that was a) HEMA-free, b) a Scotland-based brand and c) had sustainable values. So, for some silly reason, I decided to create it!

Best piece of advice you were given at the start of your business journey?
Don’t let seeking perfection delay launching and figuring it out as you go. You don’t have to be perfect – just start!

What has been your biggest lesson/ challenge faced so far and how did you overcome it?
The lack of options on the UK market and the closed-door attitudes of the majority of manufacturers. There is very little variation in options for truly sustainable packaging and suppliers with brands being very secretive so it can be hard to find out how to start, and certainly how to make real change within the supply chain. Thankfully I’ve found my circle of suppliers, experts and nail techs to give me a solid backing and numerous smart people to consult. I’d be nothing without them!

What is your number 1 business tip for success?
Work with people much smarter than yourself and be willing to fail.

What are the big business goals for 2024?
I want to increase my product range by 200% – that’s my ultimate goal for 2024 and is underway already. There are big things coming!

How can the GGC Business membership help?
Growing my network and ideally follower count will be huge for me, but ultimately actually meeting with other Glasgow-based members and businesses will make such a difference and enable me to connect with people. As a business owner it can be quite lonely so having the opportunity to have a community to rely on will mean a great deal.

What’s the dream?
I want to launch the UK (possibly the world)’s first nail polish bottle recycling plant, or else come up with a solution to prevent all nail polish bottles ending up in landfill as they do currently. This is just one of many areas I’d love to address and the ultimate goal is to make as much positive change within the beauty industry as I can. I want to make it as easy as possible for users to make sustainable choices without having to put in any effort on their side, or go through complicated recycling systems. I want all of the choices to be made at my end so that customers know that just by purchasing our products the sustainable choices and efforts have already been made.

Fave mantra to get you buzzed up for business
“if a thing is humanly possible, consider it to be within your reach.” – Marcus Aurelius

Shout out to another local business you admire?
This is going to sound like the ultimate kiss-arsery (sorry for swearing) but I absolutely love NAF! salon in Glasgow. Taking aside the fact that they would be a dream client, as a businessperson Tammy is inspirational to me personally and I’m in awe of the business & name for herself that she’s built. I hope to be like her one day.

Offer for GGC website members?
My entire business is built on the idea of supporting UK and local businesses, so professional nail salons/techs who are GCC members would get access to significant discounts on individual or wholesale purchases (40% off). I want to be THE gel polish supplier for Scottish beauty businesses and professionals so it’s important to me to offer the best service and prices possible – it’s mutually beneficial!