✨ Real Life, Real Talk: Easter Weekend,

Fresh Starts & Big Dreams ✨

By Sami Pelling – Saturday 19th April

The Easter break might be nearly over (back to school on Tuesday… can I get an amen? 🙌), but let’s be real, it’s taken me until now to catch up on sleep, laundry, and life admin. 🫠

Between our family day out to Thorpe Park, work behind the scenes, getting back into a fitness groove (shoutout to one of my lovely friends and clients for the motivation!), and a cheeky Netflix binge or two, it’s been a bit of a whirlwind.
With lots of coffee, of course.

So here’s a little catch-up, some real talk, and a few goodies I know will help you too.
Also… I’m kinda loving this blogging thing. Might be a new fave!

🎢 Thorpe Park Madness –

Family Chaos Incoming

One of the big highlights of our break was a full-on day out at Thorpe Park, 2 adults, 3 kids aged 10, 13, and 14 (including one of their mates). It was wild from start to finish!

We tackled all the big rides—The Swarm, Nemesis, Saw, Colossus, Rush and even braved the new one, Hyperia, which absolutely scared the life out of me 😂
And just for extra fun… we got stuck on a ride. Yep, properly stuck. Thank goodness we weren’t upside down! gotta love a technical issue!

Also, top tip: when they say take your earrings out before a ride, listen. I didn’t, and let’s just say Colossus left me with more than a thrill… I legit cut my head and ear. 🩸🫣(Helix)

Then there was Tidal Wave.... and oh my god, we got drenched. Soaked right through. We laughed the whole way back to the car. Definitely one of those days we’ll remember for years. (Always pack spare clothes just in case haha)

Family fun, frizzy hair, and a very tired mama by the end of it.

🏃‍♀️ Back at the Gym – Finally!

Guess who survived her first gym class of the year? This girl! 💁‍♀️

I finally joined a gym again and wow... I definitely forgot what squats felt like 😅
But honestly? Moving my body has made such a difference. I’ve felt clearer, more energised, and just a bit more me. When you’re juggling nails, biz, and family life, it’s so easy to forget how important your own health is, but you can’t pour from an empty cup, babe.

And yes, it’s now day 2 and I’ve got DOMS for days, which clearly means I did good 💪😂
Roll on Tuesday’s class, let’s see if I can still walk after that one.

So here’s your gentle reminder: look after you too. Your energy is everything.

💸 Easter Sales = Restock Time (aka Shopping Is Self-Care)

It wouldn’t be a proper nail tech blog without a bit of shop talk, right? 😂
And honestly… there’s something about Easter sales that just hits different. The inbox has been bursting with deals, and yes—I’ve had a cheeky scroll (and a not-so-cheeky checkout or two 👀).

I’ve been stock checking, clearing out the crusty old bits, and topping up on all the essentials. You know how it goes, you think you’ve got enough top coat, and then you're scraping the sides mid-set 😬

So this is your official nudge: check your top coats, BIABs, base gels, files, prep bits, disposables, all the staples. Because let’s face it, there’s nothing worse than running out mid-client.

And hey, shopping is self-care when it’s for your business, right? It’s technically work... but it still gives that happy dopamine hit when the delivery driver turns up with nail mail 😍

Here are some of my go-to brands with affiliate links if you’re planning a restock:

🛍️ The Gel Bottle – my faves for BIAB™ and Gel Polish's
🛍️ NIBA – perfect for Hand & Body Creams & Cuticle Oils - Code THENAILMAFIA
🛍️ Botella – The Ultimate Glass Pump Bottle a MUST HAVE - Code THENAILMAFIA
🛍️ Nail Mail – Monthly Subscription box full of gorgeous bits for nail art and regular treats
🛍️ Book In Beautiful – a fab system for booking & managing your biz

🖤 Using my links doesn’t cost you anything extra, but it does support me, and I appreciate it more than you know.

So, go treat your trolley. You deserve the tools that match your talent. 💅

👩‍💻 Life Admin + My Accountant Plug

In between catching up on content and caffeinating my way through the chaos, I also finally ticked off a big one – my tax return. Not glamorous, but sooo necessary. 😅

If you're self-employed and spreadsheets make you cry (same here), it’s honestly worth handing it over to someone who gets it.

🧾 GLD Accountants – just quote Sami Pelling when you reach out.
George is amazing at what he does! Highly recommend and worth every penny. Total game-changer.

💳 Banking That Works (and Gives You a Bonus!)

And while we’re on the money topic...

If you haven’t sorted your banking out yet - or you’re looking for something simpler. I love using Monzo.

It’s brilliant for both Personal and Business accounts. Budgeting, saving pots, expense tracking - done. Plus, the app’s actually nice to use!

👉 Join Monzo here – and the best part? We both benefit when you sign up. Win-win! 💸❤️

💡 Top Tip of the Week: Pay Yourself FIRST

One of the biggest mindset shifts I made in my business?

Paying myself a percentage of my monthly income - every single month.

Even if it’s just 10% to start with, that money builds your confidence and gives you something back for all your hard work.

Here’s what I recommend:

• Set aside 10–30% of your earnings for you

• Budget the rest for stock, bills, and business tools

• Automate it if you can!

When you pay yourself first, you stop feeling like your business owns you - and start feeling like the boss you are.

💖 Big Dreams, Bold Mindset

April’s felt like a full-on reset.
New ideas. New energy. New goals.

And if you’re anything like me, your brain’s probably buzzing with all the dreams… but also a bit of “Can I really do this?”

Here’s your answer: YES. YOU. CAN.

If you’re ready to shift from stuck to unstoppable, start here:

📍 Grab my free Nail Tech Money Map
💸 Join Money Mindset: Nail Tech Edition - the course that helps you ditch the money blocks and step into your power

📍 Grab my free Nail Tech Financial Toolkit – packed with juicy resources to help you price with confidence, plan smarter, and take control of your income

You deserve success that feels good.

🛋️ Netflix, Paramount+, & No Guilt

Listen, some days I’m nailing it, and some days I’m curled up in my Oodie, living off chocolate and bingeing new series. No shame here! 😂

Balance is everything, and I’ve honestly loved having some proper me time this Easter.

Here’s what I’ve been watching lately:

📺 1923 – Completed it, mate. And yes, I’m still recovering emotionally.
📺 Mobland – Just started it… Tom Hardy? YES PLEASE. Roll on Sunday so I can binge properly 😍
📺 Tulsa King – Loving the vibes. Gritty, wild, and totally binge-worthy.

Sometimes the most productive thing you can do is absolutely nothing. So if you needed a sign to pause, this is it. Rest is part of the process too. 💖

📚 Plot Twist: I Write Romance Too

Yep! I’m not just about nails and numbers I also write steamy, sweet, strong-woman romance novels that’ll give you all the feels. 💕

If you love stories that make you laugh, swoon, and maybe even shed a cheeky tear (in the best way), come escape into a world of passion, drama, and unforgettable characters.

Some of my top-selling reader favourites include:

💛 Sun-Kissed Serendipity – a sun-drenched Mediterranean love story set between Brighton and Crete
💔 The Fixer’s Daughter – a slow-burn second-chance romance filled with heart, healing, and Texas charm
🎖️ Echoes of Love – a moving military romance series about strength, distance, and enduring love
😂 Swipe Right for Mr. Wrong – a laugh-out-loud rom-com for anyone who's ever survived a dating disaster

📖 Browse all my books here

💌 Want sneak peeks, exclusive content & early access?
Join my romance reader email list – you’ll get behind-the-scenes extras, subscriber-only bonuses, and yep… probably a cheeky freebie too. 😉

💬 Before You Go...

If this blog gave you a little lift today, would you do me a favour?
Share it, with a nail tech friend, a fellow busy mum, or someone chasing big dreams in the messy middle.

And if you’re not already inside The Nail Mafia Growth Academy Facebook group, honestly, babe, what are you waiting for?
👉 Click here to join us

This isn’t just a space for free tips and tools (although there’s plenty of that too).
I’m building something bigger, a real movement of ambitious, heart-led nail techs who want to grow their skills, their mindset, and their money.

And truthfully? I’m looking to build my Hype Team, a team of like-minded members who believe in the mission and want to grow with me.
Because we all start somewhere. And when we lift each other, we all rise.

The Nail Mafia isn’t just about nails.
It’s about confidence. Ownership. Freedom.
And building a business that gives you more than just booking, it gives you options.

Here’s to a season of fresh energy, fierce goals, and remembering you’re doing better than you think. 💕

Let’s grow this thing together 💖

Big love always,
Sami x