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Nailed It!: How one woman turned a dream business into a huge success by Jeanette Sklivanou

September 4, 2022 Melanie Hawken

Book Review

Building your own business and brand in a competitive market can be intimidating and scary, but entrepreneur and author, Jeanette Sklivanou, has written Nailed It! to give you some solutions. This inspiring book is packed with practical, step-by-step strategies for breaking the cycle of fear and creating a dynamic brand that can compete with the best.


Jeanette Sklivanou, author of Nailed It!, knows from practical experience what it takes to turn an entrepreneurial dream into a big success story. Her business, Safe ‘N’ Beautiful,  created in 2011 was inspired by her experience as a mother and her personal commitment to natural cosmetics and concern for appropriate children’s play products. This led her to launch her flagship product, Snails®, the same year. They are the world’s first Kid’s washable nail polish and No 1 in sales worldwide. As a relatively young company, Safe ‘N’ Beautiful has enjoyed resounding global success. Already the company exports to 79 countries around the world and those export partnerships are poised to grow. Safe ‘N’ Beautiful has also won esteemed industry recognition as Greek Export Award winner in 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2019. Today, Safe ‘N’ Beautiful PC is a visionary European cosmetics pioneer manufacturing internationally renowned, innovative and premium cosmetic brands for both children and adults.

Read Nailed It! to:

  • Learn the necessity of research before launching your brand

  • Discover how to build your own empire step-by-step

  • Turn your business idea into a reality

  • Understand the methods used by other business owners to thrive

  • Overcome failure and mould your business into a success

Author Quotes

For anyone who is starting a business, especially women, the obstacles are massive and sometimes appear unsurmountable. Finding a unique selling point and developing a successful brand is a challenge.

I believe any woman can become an entrepreneur if she wants to. I’m writing this book not to brag about my success, but to share my journey with Snails in detail, to reveal how it was done. After all, if I can do it, so can you.

Anything is possible and with hard work and dedication, any dream can come true, however big it is.

About the author

Jeanette Sklivanou is a British-Greek entrepreneur. She launched Safe 'N' Beautiful to produce the first washable children's nail varnish made in Europe. Jeanette had no experience in the cosmetics industry but her drive to design a product her daughters would love enabled her to build her Snails brand to become a global success. Ten years on, it is selling in seventy-nine countries and iconic stores such as Hamleys in London and FAO Schwarz in New York.

www.safe-nails.com


Why LoA loves it…

We all know the phrase, “when life throws you lemons, make lemonade”, but for many women entrepreneurs it’s all too true and in adversity often comes strength and innovation in business. That’s why Jeanette Sklivanou’s story is so powerful, as it shows how it’s possible in the toughest of times to see a gap in the market, create an innovative product offering, and build a truly successful business on the back of it. There are so many learnings in Jeanette’s inspirational and practical book, and it shows just what can be achieved with the right vision, determination, sheer hard work, and a never-give-up attitude. A great read for every woman entrepreneur who wants to realize their business building dreams. — Melanie Hawken, founder & ceo, Lionesses of Africa

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Tech FoundHER AFRICA CHALLENGE

Five female founders win over $100,000 in TechFoundHER Africa Challenge. Read more


CELEBRATING 10 YEARS


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Dr. Phindi Cebekhulu-Msomi, an agripreneur focused on climate-smart solutions
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Retang Phaahla, a pioneer for South Africa’s indigenous teas
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IMAGE OF THE DAY. CELEBRATING WOMAN MADE IN AFRICA.

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Sculpted statement jewellery…If you want to make a statement with your accessories, then these uniquely crafted pieces by Rokus London, a fine jewellery brand founded by Marie-Paule Tano, are just for you. Roku
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Luxury statement accessories…We are big fans of luxury jewellery and accessories made with love and passion on the African continent, and Adèle Dejak in Kenya is the epitome of handmade luxury. The
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An elegant floral gifting idea… Mariana Agness Francisco Eria is a creative force in contemporary floral design. Her business, The House of Agness, is a luxury florist and gifting boutique nestled in Map
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Minimalism x artisan craftsmanship…If you are looking for a contemporary women’s ready-to-wear and bespoke fashion brand interweaving minimalism with artisan craftsmanship, then look no further than Abi
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Image of the Day / Rokus London

Sculpted statement jewellery…If you want to make a statement with your accessories, then these uniquely crafted pieces by Rokus London, a fine jewellery brand founded by Marie-Paule Tano, are just for you. Roku Image of the Day / Eva Sonaike

Vibrant interior design…The striking new interior designs by Eva Sonaike caught our eye this morning. Like the rest of the world, we love the African aesthetic which is increasingly finding its way into global i Image of the Day / Kunjina

Statement designer fashion…We are big fans of Kunjina in Ethiopia, the fashion brand founded by the talented Kunjina Tesfaye in 2017. She launched the brand while she was a university student studying construction t Image of the Day / Dathonga Designs

Traditional craft elevated…We love the impact-driven accessories created by Márcia Nangy O’Connell, founder and artistic director of Dathonga Designs in Mozambique. Since 2010, she has establis Image of the Day / FiveStars Africa

African Cycling Style…Who says cycling and style don’t go together? If you are a cycling enthusiast and you want to look and feel good whilst you are are on the road, then take a look at the seriously Image of the Day / Adèle Dejak

Luxury statement accessories…We are big fans of luxury jewellery and accessories made with love and passion on the African continent, and Adèle Dejak in Kenya is the epitome of handmade luxury. The Image of the Day / The House of Agness

An elegant floral gifting idea… Mariana Agness Francisco Eria is a creative force in contemporary floral design. Her business, The House of Agness, is a luxury florist and gifting boutique nestled in Map Image of the Day / Abiola Olusola

Minimalism x artisan craftsmanship…If you are looking for a contemporary women’s ready-to-wear and bespoke fashion brand interweaving minimalism with artisan craftsmanship, then look no further than Abi Image of the Day / Black Mamba Foods

Chilli Heaven…Spice up your life and your favourite foods by cooking up some great chilli-based recipes using some of the finest chilli sauces and new Hot Honey from Black Mamba Foods in Eswatini. The comp Image of the Day / AAKS / Luxury accessories…We just have to share one of our favourite accessories of the year so far, this beautiful hand-woven bag created by award-winning designer Akosua Afriyie-Kumi and her AAKS brand in Ghana. We love se

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Júlia Silota, a Mozambican green business builder, focused on environmental waste management
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