Welcome to NIBOVI | Q&A with founder, Sadie

Hi everyone!  I’m Sadie. founder of NIBOVI. Prior to this I was a manicurist for 15 years, a salon owner and educator.  I created NIBOVI with a clear goal.. to offer incredible tools and equipment, superior e-file education, and a supportive community that truly puts manicurists first.

A brand built from real experience, with a no-fluff approach to helping techs grow their confidence, speed, and standards.

This blog is an extension of that mission. A place where each month I'll be sharing hints and tips, inviting guest artists to share their knowledge, spotlighting our amazing customers, and giving you a first look at upcoming trends, launches, and behind-the-scenes insights.

To kick things off, I wanted to do a little Q&A with how and why we started and what our next plans are..

1. What inspired you to start NIBOVI?
As a busy manicurist, salon owner, and educator, I was so frustrated with tools blunting within weeks, generating heat, or feeling too big and bulky to work with comfortably. There was also so much confusion around which bit to use, when, and why. I was running my own courses, and e-file training was always my favourite to teach. You could literally see the joy on students’ faces when they realised how much more effective their prep was going to be, how much time they’d save, and how much less stress their bodies would go through.

2. What was the first tool or product you created  and why?
We launched with five tools but only after trialling over 50+ different samples from various manufacturers over a three year period. I tested everything on myself and my clients. (Some bits I literally swiped once and threw straight in the bin!) Eventually, I found tools I could be proud of. Our Shell XF cuticle bit and Wave 5-in-1 were part of our very first lineup.

3. How do you make sure NIBOVI products meet salon standards?
As mentioned above, one of my strengths is knowing instantly when a tool is going to be a game changer based on the cut, the way it glides, and how it feels in use. I always value other manicurists' input too, so I regularly send test samples to our affiliates or education team for feedback. All of our tools are autoclave compatible and feature the latest technologies like our Precision Pro diamond range and our coated tungsten carbide bits.

4. What do you think is missing in most nail training or education?
There are so many gaps in UK education. Far too many manicurists leave courses feeling confused, unconfident, rushed, with inconsistencies.  I know this from personal experience. At NIBOVI, it’s different. We provide aftercare for students so they can revisit content, ask questions, and get feedback on their technique. All of our educators are highly skilled and teach consistently across the board, so students no matter who or where they train, will always get the same level of education.

5. What’s your favourite part of being a nail technician?
Although I’m no longer client facing, I still work with models every month to test new products and maintain my skill set. I think having that creative outlet is what makes being a manicurist so special it keeps you inspired and connected to your craft.

6. What’s one piece of advice you wish every new nail tech knew?
I could give a million pieces of advice!  One that’s really up there is this: focus on the basics, and don’t get carried away thinking you need everything right away. Invest in good quality education from the very beginning. Focus on prep and application, they are the fundamentals. You don’t need 100 colour options to get started. Ten is perfect and buy within the season.

7. What makes the NIBOVI community different?
I absolutely love our community, so many have been with me right from the start, and I genuinely feel like I’ve been there for them too. We are each others biggest cheerleaders. We listen to feedback and take on board the products they’d love to see. Over on TikTok, I can just be my silly self and they don’t judge me for it, haha!

8. What’s next for NIBOVI?
We’ve already had such a busy year with multiple new launches but we’re definitely not done yet! We’ve got our e-file conversion courses launching in October, and maybe one or two sneaky new product drops coming in November…

With love,
Sadie x