ONLINE COURSE
Before You Begin: Foundations of Professional Gel Nails
A beginner-friendly, theory-based course for aspiring and growing nail techs who want to actually understand what they're doing — not just copy steps from random videos.
Self-paced with lifetime access
Real salon knowledge — safety, anatomy, client care, pricing & business
Perfect for beginners, self-taught techs, and anyone filling gaps
Is This Course For You?
This course was made for you if…
You're just starting out and feel overwhelmed by everything online
You've taken a course before but still feel like you're missing the foundations
You're mostly self-taught and want to make sure you're doing things safely
You want to feel more confident talking to clients, setting boundaries, and charging for your work
You care about natural nail health and long-term client relationships — not just trends
No prior salon experience needed — just an interest in gel nails and a willingness to learn.
What's Inside the Course
11 clear modules you can move through at your own pace. Come back to any of them whenever you need a refresh.
01 — Welcome & Getting Started Overview of the course, how to move through it, and setting expectations so you feel grounded before you dive in.
02 — Nail Anatomy & Disorders The structure of the natural nail, common conditions, and when not to work on a client.
03 — Sanitation & Infection Control How to clean, disinfect, and set up your space to protect yourself and your clients.
04 — Crafting Salon Policies Cancellations, late arrivals, refunds, and boundaries — with prompts and examples you can make your own.
05 — Preventing Repetitive Stress Injuries Ergonomics, posture, warning signs, and simple habits to help your body last in this career.
06 — Client Communication & Consultations Talking to clients, asking the right questions, handling tricky situations, and keeping things clear and kind.
07 — Pricing Your Nail Services How to think about pricing, work through mindset blocks, and feel confident charging for your time.
08 — Business Basics: Licenses, Insurance & Setup The paperwork side — business structure, insurance, systems, and your online presence.
09 — Nail Products 101: Tools, Gels & Essentials What you actually need, what it does, and how to choose wisely without wasting money.
10 — Your Nail Space: Setting Up for Success Layout, comfort, cleanliness, and creating a calm environment — whether it's a salon or a corner at home.
11 — Final Wrap-Up & Next Steps Reflect on how far you've come and get direction on what to focus on next.
Why Before You Begin
Theory-first, not just trends You'll understand the reasons behind what you're doing — so you can make safe, confident decisions with real clients.
Rooted in real salon experience Everything I teach comes from working with real people in a real studio, not just doing my own nails for photos.
No gatekeeping, no shame I explain things clearly and kindly, without assuming you "should already know this."
Beginner-friendly, but not basic We go beyond surface-level tips into anatomy, safety, policies, pricing, and business — the things that actually make you a professional.
Built to protect your body and your business We talk about ergonomics, boundaries, and systems so you can build something sustainable — not just cute.
What's Included When You Enroll
📹 Video Lessons + Written Guides Short, focused lessons you can pause, rewatch, and refer back to anytime.
♾️ Lifetime Access All current modules plus any future updates — revisit whenever you need a refresh.
📋 Downloadable Resources + Full Student Library Every downloadable resource in the Totally Polished shop — checklists, templates, scripts, trackers, pricing tools, and more — is yours free as a course student. Use them as-is or customize them to fit your brand and business. (Worth $70+ on its own.)
🕐 Self-Paced Learning No deadlines, no pressure. Move through the material on your own schedule.
📧 Email Support Get stuck? Email me with course-related questions and I'll help point you in the right direction.
Designed to be something you keep coming back to — not just a one-and-done watch-through.
YOUR EDUCATOR
Meet Amelie
I'm a nail tech, educator, and the founder of Totally Polished in Kelowna, BC. I created Before You Begin because I kept meeting new and self-taught nail techs who cared deeply about their work, but felt like no one had ever really explained the foundations to them. I see a huge gap in the industry that needs to be filled with foundational business basics.
My goal is to give you the knowledge, context, and support I wish I'd had at the start — clear, honest education without gatekeeping or shame, so you can feel confident, safe, and truly prepared.
Frequently Asked Questions
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You get lifetime access to all current modules and any future updates to this course. You can come back to the lessons anytime you need a refresh.
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Yes. Before You Begin was created with beginners and self-taught techs in mind. You don’t need salon experience to start — just an interest in gel nails and a willingness to learn.
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No. You can begin the course with just a notebook and an open mind. We’ll talk through tools, products, and setup inside the course so you can make more informed choices when you’re ready to invest in supplies.
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This course focuses on foundations, theory, and real-world knowledge. It does not replace any licensing, certifications, or formal schooling that may be required where you live. You’re responsible for checking the requirements in your area.
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You’re welcome to email me with course-related questions, and I’ll do my best to point you in the right direction or clarify anything that feels confusing. I want you to feel supported, not stuck.
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Before You Begin is a one-time purchase with lifetime access — no subscriptions or hidden fees. You can see the current price and enroll here.
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Because this is a digital course with immediate access to all modules and downloadable resources, refunds are not available once you've enrolled. That said, I want you to feel confident before you buy — so take your time reading through this page, and if you have any questions before enrolling, feel free to reach out.
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Yes! Every enrolled student gets free access to the full Totally Polished Resource Library — that includes every downloadable template, checklist, and guide in the shop. You'll get a link to your exclusive student resources page after enrollment.
Ready to Build Your Foundation?
Before You Begin gives you the knowledge, confidence, and support to start your nail career the right way. Self-paced, lifetime access, and no gatekeeping — ever.