TGB Insider Spotlight on Shauna Jacobs: Nail Tech to Business Owner

Welcome to TGB Insider Spotlight, our series celebrating the talented nail technicians behind our TGB Insider community! From the stories that started their nail journeys to the products they can’t live without, we’re getting to know the people behind the manicures, discovering their creative inspirations and celebrating the work they’re proudest of. 

Kicking things off in style is Shauna Jacobs, founder of BIAB Room. From practising on her friends at just 14 to training on TGB Academy nail courses, Shauna shares her journey, her favourite TGB products and the set that reminds her just how far she’s come.  

 

Shauna’s Story: How She Became a Nail Technician 

“My nail journey began when I was just 14! I used to pretend I was a nail technician and make my friends role-play as my clients. We would have so much fun! Looking back, it’s lovely to think that something I enjoyed so much as a teenager would eventually become my own little business. 

At 16, I started my beauty diploma, where I learned the foundations of manicures alongside a range of other beauty treatments. Although the course gave me a great introduction to the industry, I always found myself wanting to learn more about nails and develop my skills further. 

Fast-forward a few years, and I completed my training with TGB Academy’s nail training courses, which really helped me take the next step in my nail journey. From there, my passion continued to grow, and I decided to turn something I had always loved into my own business, BIAB Room. 

Building my business has been such a rewarding journey. I love expressing my creativity through my work, helping my clients feel confident and giving them a little bit of time for themselves. I’m always looking for ways to improve, new techniques to learn and how I can push myself creatively, which is one of the things I love most about this industry. 

What started as a little game with my friends at 14 has grown into something I’m genuinely proud of, and I’m so excited to see where my nail journey takes me next!” 

Back to Candy: A Full-Circle Moment 

“One of the sets I’m most proud of is this one, created using Candy by TGB!”  

 

“What makes this set of red gel nails extra special is that Candy is also the shade I used when practising during my TGB Academy journey. To use that same colour again now and see how much my application, technique and confidence have developed is such a lovely full-circle moment. 

When you’re constantly learning and working to improve your skills, it can sometimes be difficult to recognise just how far you’ve come. Comparing where I started during my training to the work I’m creating now makes me feel so proud of the progress I’ve made. 

It’s a reminder of why I love what I do and why I’m always striving to learn, improve and push myself creatively. The fact that one little shade of red connects the beginning of my TGB journey to where I am today makes this set particularly special to me.”  

Shauna’s Top Five TGB Icons  

“Choosing just five favourites is so difficult, but there are definitely a few essentials in my nail kit I find myself reaching for time and time again! 

• Dolly BIAB™ – A gorgeous, timeless shade that’s perfect for creating those clean, classy manicures. You can never go wrong with a beautiful nude! 

• Daisy Gel Colour – I love having this in my kit for French manicures. The most pigmented, beautiful white and the best white gel for French tips. 

• Moondust Top Coat – Such a beautiful way to add something extra to a set. I love products that can transform a simple manicure into something a little more special. 

• Dreamer BIAB™ – Another favourite I love reaching for when creating pretty, feminine sets. 

• Extreme Shine Top Coat – A must-have in my kit, the best gel top coat! I love that glossy, fresh-from-the-salon finish, and this is the perfect final touch to bring a set together. 

I love that TGB has products for every kind of client and every kind of mood, whether we’re keeping things simple and timeless or getting creative with colour and finishes. My kit wouldn’t be complete without these five!”  

The Business Degree Behind the Nails  

“Something that might surprise my clients is that, alongside being a nail technician, I have a degree in Business and Management!  

I’ve always been interested in building something of my own, so combining my creativity with the business side of things has been really rewarding. Running BIAB Room involves so much more than the treatments themselves, from managing appointments and creating content to building relationships with clients and growing my brand. 

I’m also a mum, so balancing motherhood with running my own business has taught me so much about organisation, patience and determination. I’m really proud of what I’m building, and I love that I can create something that reflects both my creative side and my ambition.” 

Quickfire Questions: Nail Tech Edition

Describe your workspace in three words. 

“Cosy, girly, creative.”  

Who would be your dream celebrity client, and what would you create for them? 

“My dream celebrity client would have to be Jennifer Aniston! I love her timeless, effortlessly chic style, so I’d create a classy, milky nude BIAB™ manicure with a glossy finish. Something understated, elegant and wearable that complements her style perfectly, because you can never go wrong with a beautiful, clean set of nails!”  

What’s on your nails right now? 

“Currently, I’m wearing a Halloween-inspired set featuring a mixture of little ghosts and pumpkins! ? I used Dolly BIAB™ as my base, which gives the perfect soft, nude-pink background for the nail art to stand out against. 

I love having fun with my own nails and getting creative with seasonal designs. Halloween is the perfect excuse to do something a little different, and I couldn’t resist adding some spooky little details!”  

Celebrating the TGB Insider Community

A huge thank you to Shauna for sharing her story with us!  

We love celebrating the talent, creativity and passion within our TGB Insider community, and Shauna’s journey is a lovely reminder of what can happen when you turn something you love into something of your own. Ready to become a TGB Insider? This is your sign to apply! 

Want to see more of Shauna’s work? Follow her on Instagram at @biabroom_, and stay tuned for more TGB Insider Spotlights coming soon!