Sam BiddleAt 47 I find myself in a rather idilic situation, working from home, in a small office and able to pick and choose what creative project I want to take on. But trust me it wasn't always like that. For the past 18 years I have been bending and challening the industries norms and it's been rather fun. My philosophy is that no matter how mad you think the idea is, try it, experiment and see what magic you can make. There is always a way! I started in the nail industry quite by accident, I used to buy little kits from QVC. Obsessed with nail art, little did I know then, in October 1999 that I would be doing what I do now. In July 2007, after a few bumps on my nail journey I started Be Inspired. I wanted to provide learning and education for design nails that looked 'outside the box' but that could be incorporated into the brand that each individual nail technician knows and loves. If I am totally honest applying nails is a bi-product, it's the art which keeps me interested. I am a creative at heart. I started to provide a little learning to every nail tech's laptop, PC or iPad. Whilst you can't beat hands-on experience and education in a class, the practicalities of online education in todays market has changed the whole direction of my business. Writing and releasing my first book 'the secret to great nail art" in 2017, sparked a desire for writing. The workbook was targeted to nail artists in support of my signature course be inspired online for life. Education is where my passion lies and want to give every nail tech the opportunity to grow and learn. Well aware that financial and time limitations prevent further education, I feel I can help nail professionals chive their goals and dreams as well. When I started this journey, the last thing I thought I would be doing is influencing any part of this industry which I have come to know and love. Marketing is my 'bit on the side' I devour everything there is to know about it, I wrote this book to answer the many questions I get asked about how I manage my marketing. Regardless of how creative we are, we need to remember that we are in business, and if we want to continue to enjoy our creative employment we have to learn the subtle art of marketing. Having been in business for myself since I was 19, I have manipulated words to sell, creating a story people listen to, enjoy and then buy. Basically that is all marketing is. From the time before social media, I started refining my marketing nohow selling pottery, then electricity to tattoo's, tanning and nail art. I have learned to adapt my skills and using it to sell my passions, moving through the years to refine my skills I have learned. In this book I hope very much to share some of those little things I have learned and to enlighten you in today's world of marketing. Very aware of the need for speed, the chapters in this book are short and concise, giving you the information you need today without the fluff. Read More Read Less