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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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Sustainable skincare…We love to see natural cosmetics companies with a sustainable approach to business succeeding in Africa, and Nokware Skincare, founded by Tutuwa Ahwoi in Ghana is a great example. She f Image of the Day / Dounia Home

Statement lighting… from Dounia Home, the home of innovative, handcrafted and ethically made Moroccan lighting and home decor founded by Dounia Tamri-Loeper. Her company designs, produces and brings to market hi Image of the Day / Afrobotanics

Nature inspired haircare… Banish dry hair with the Afrobotanics Hemp Seed Oil moisturising conditioner created by Ntombenhle Khathwane, a South African entrepreneur and advocate for natural hair and body produc Image of the Day / Happy Coffee

Happy Coffee Experiences…If you are a fan of great coffee you will love Happy Coffee, founded by Princess Adeyinka Tekenah in Nigeria. She is a Coffee Entrepreneur and a Mom, and the founder of this growing ind Image of the Day / Mon Choco

Chocolate gifting goodies…Who doesn’t love a chocolate gift at this time of the year? So where better to sample some of the finest chocolate on the African continent than in Cote d’Ivoire, from Mon Cho Image of the Day / Spez Catering

Celebratory cake…If you are anything like the sweet treat-loving team at Lionesses of Africa, you will love a slice of the great cakes on offer from Spez Catering in Kenya, founded by Esmeralda De Souza-Obwaka Image of the Day / Eloli

African luxury couture…For those who want to stand out from the crowd, Dibo Ndumbe Eyoh, co-founder and co-creative Director of Eloli, an award-winning luxury African fashion brand in Cameroon, has just what you need. Image of the Day / The Joinery

Sustainable Tote Bags…We have always been big fans of The Joinery, the sustainable and ethical product design brand based in South Africa founded by Natalie and Kim Ellis, and their exciting Future Tex™ fa Image of the Day / Barbara McKenzie

Classic meets contemporary…If you are in the market for classic-inspired yet modern clothing which is both stylish and ultra-feminine and trans-seasonal to wear throughout the year, then Kendi Sapepa, found 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

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