Our story

It all started in 2001.. a young, naive 17 something year old not knowing what to do with her life, fell into a Nail Technology course and ended up finding her passion. What a journey the last 24 years have been. I’ve been fully qualified for more than half my life now, a business owner, employee, business partner, and a few other things thrown in for good measure along the way. But now, I find myself in one of the most beautiful parts of the Central Plateau, Ohakune, New Zealand. Ultimately known as a tourist town, but also home to some of the most stunning and genuinely kind, resilient people I’ve ever met.

In January 2020 I moved with my (now) husband from Auckland, looking for a quieter, calmer, more grounding life to raise our children. We had no idea of the impending pandemic that hit the globe that year, and as we were branching out into our new community, we were then forced to live in solitude at home for months. Within this time, after a wonderful year of working for Creative Nails, learning many new skills and having the most beautiful work related trip to Queenstown for further training and upskilling - Unfortunately with the shut down of the world, many businesses struggled and so the decision was made to retire from my position. But, out of those experiences, came the birth of The Nail Place Ohakune. Once we were out of lockdown, my dream of owning and operating my own boutique salon began. From the humble home setup, to 2022 when I moved to a salon premises within the Train Station at Ohakune Junction.

Now, in 2024, I have a fully established business, and call the salon my second home. Many have come through my doors, and it is an absolute honour and pleasure to be part of such a tight knit community.