In 2011, Scratch Magazine launched the Scratch Stars Awards, the first and only awards ceremony dedicated solely to the nail industry. A Scratch Stars Award is a sign of sheer excellence and prowess within the industry and sets the individual’s talent apart from competitors.
This year, CND Education Ambassador, Anna Lee from Creative Academy London was honoured the special Tom Holcomb Shooting Star Award named after the late, great nail tech Tom Holcomb. The award was awarded to Anna for her contribution to the nail industry by making it her mission to quash sterotypes of the South East Asian nail techs.
Alex Fox, Editor of Scratch Magazine announced the award with a beautiful speech: "This person from the moment they entered the industry has made it a mission to change the way people think, to be all inclusive, to support and build up minorities by bridging gaps and showing the nail world that we are one community made up of many – and this to me is significant, long overdue and a beautiful thing.
This person has given up untold hours of free time to growing industry standards, inspiring spirits and supporting tech’s journeys – her agenda, if she has one, is about supporting and helping others reach their goals, milestones and touch their dreams – she is loveable, kind, gentle, thoughtful and generous and I love working with her and standing beside her in this gorgeous industry.”
Anna was extremely excited to be honoured the recognition: “A few years ago, when I first became a CND EA, I decided to take on something that seemed impossible at the time - I wanted to change the negative perception of the South East Asian (SEA) nail techs in the UK by helping them to better themselves through CND education. With 100% help and support from Sweet Squared, I set myself goals and work hard day and night to battle the rest of the nail industry with a vision that I sincerely believed in. Today, this award has won us that battle, and thanks to The Scratch team, the SEA nail techs are finally being noticed, recognised and accepted as a part of this huge industry.
I take this award not only for myself, but on behalf of CND, Sweet Squared and the thousands of SEA nail techs in the UK. I hope by receiving this award the SEA nail community in the UK can feel as proud as I am today; that this award will inspire and encourage more SEAs nail techs to strive towards their dreams and - exactly as it says on the award - 'to stand up and be recognised.'"
