After her mum was diagnosed with cancer, Stacey Smalley wanted to find a way to help people indulge themselves, regardless of what obstacles they were facing.

Her idea was to launch High Tides Nails, a Fakenham-based business aiming to give "nail salon appointments through the letterbox" to help put smiles on her customers' faces. 

And now the 32-year-old's firm - which was only launched last year - has become one of six finalists in the 'hair and beauty small business of the year' category at the Norfolk Small Business Awards.

Fakenham & Wells Times: High Tides Nails is based at Mrs Smalley’s home in Fakenham, she also appears at marketsHigh Tides Nails is based at Mrs Smalley’s home in Fakenham, she also appears at markets (Image: Stacey Smalley)

Mrs Smalley said: “Self-care is very important and I believe that people should be allowed to indulge in this, such as having their nails done, regardless of their situation,” she said.

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“It is an absolute honour to be able to give people an option to still have beautiful nails, especially if they are in a situation where a typical nail salon visit simply isn't viable for them.

Fakenham & Wells Times: Stacey Smalley, founder of High Tides NailsStacey Smalley, founder of High Tides Nails (Image: Stacey Smalley)Mrs Smalley completed her training as a fully qualified nail technician in 2020, and 12 months later her mum, Maggie, was diagnosed with breast cancer.

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The idea for the business came from taking care of Maggie, and seeing the effects chemotherapy had on her body. Maggie also had to isolate while receiving her cancer treatment and Covid restrictions were in force. 

Mrs Smalley said that gave her the desire to provide another option for people who were unable to visit a nail salon in person.

Fakenham & Wells Times: High Tides Nails posts through sets of handmade press-on nails that require no measuring and feature a full application kit as well as easy-to-understand application, removal instructions and care tips, all posted directly to peopleHigh Tides Nails posts through sets of handmade press-on nails that require no measuring and feature a full application kit as well as easy-to-understand application, removal instructions and care tips, all posted directly to people (Image: Stacey Smalley)

She said: “I do everything myself from making the nails through to the social media, graphic design, website building, writing, and printing the literature, so it is surreal for someone to recognise my small one-person business and all of the hard work that goes into it."

High Tides Nails posts through sets of handmade press-on nails that require no measuring and feature a full application kit as well as easy-to-understand application, removal instructions and care tips, all posted directly to people.

Mrs Smalley also fundraises for the cancer support group Unmask Cancer.