Nail Technology Student Success Story: Izzy Hale

About Izzy Hale

Nails found Izzy Hale before Izzy Hale found nails.

Growing up, Izzy watched their mom get her nails done and spent weekends at their Oma’s house, where getting a manicure together was simply part of the tradition. It was never just a beauty appointment, but a place to spend time with their family. So when Izzy landed their very first job at 17 and held their very first paycheck, the decision of what to do with it was not hard at all. They got an acrylic full set. “I had never felt more like me,” Izzy says. It would be a long time before Izzy connected that feeling to a career, but the feeling itself never went away.

Strawberry nails by Izzy

In the meantime, creativity found other ways to express itself. At Trader Joe’s, where Izzy has worked since that very first job, they became a sign artist. An artist at heart, Izzy always found ways to let that creative side thrive. And now, eight years later and still at Trader Joe’s, that same creative energy has found its truest canvas yet: nails.

Figuring out the next chapter took time, but the beauty industry was never far from Izzy’s mind. Izzy had been admiring it from the outside for years, feeling the pull of it, and eventually they decided it was time to stop watching and start doing. The choice of what to pursue was not a hard one. “Nails were the obvious choice as they had stolen my heart a long time ago, and I could not be happier with my decision.”

Outside of EBC and Trader Joe’s, Izzy is someone with a full and colorful life: horror movie marathons, thrifting for hidden gems, discovering new restaurants, great music, and four cats who probably get the best seat in the house. Izzy is someone who brings that same full, vibrant life into everything they do, and their clients are going to feel every bit of it.

The Evergreen Experience

When Izzy set out to find a beauty school, they knew exactly what they were looking for: a nail program. Not every beauty school offered one, so finding the right fit would take some searching. After a little bit of research, a Google search led them to EBC’s Renton campus, and the nail program caught their eye immediately. Izzy sent an inquiry and heard back within a day. Before long, they had enrolled and were ready to begin their journey. “Before I knew it, I was getting enrolled,” Izzy says, “and the rest is history!”

Star nails by Izzy

And what a history it has been. One of the biggest surprises of Izzy’s time at EBC has been finding a teacher who genuinely made a difference. School was never easy for Izzy growing up. But Ms. Daryl made it different. “She makes class fun and exciting, and her lectures are so easy to listen to and understand,” Izzy says. “Having a teacher like Ms. Daryl has made it easy for me to grow and evolve as a nail tech and student, all in only 5 months!” Five months in, and the growth is already undeniable.

When it comes to their favorite service, Izzy lights up over nail extensions, especially when nail art is part of the picture. Nail extensions are one of the hardest skills to master in the industry, and that’s exactly why they love them. “It makes it all the more rewarding when I make a set that I’m proud of,” Izzy said. There is something poetic about it too: Izzy previously was creating signs, and now they are painting art on a much smaller, much more personal canvas. The medium changed. The soul behind it did not.

And then there are the awards. Izzy did not just attend EBC. They showed up for it completely. During their time at the Renton campus, Izzy earned the Attendance Award, the Successful Start Award, the Commitment and Excellence Award, the Excellence in Marketing Award, the Culture Award, and the Digital Marketing Award. Beyond the classroom, Izzy also participated in the Evergreen Annual Back to School event, where they performed mini manicures on kids getting ready for the school year. “All of these things mean so much to me,” Izzy says, “and I’m proud of the impact I was able to have while at Evergreen.”

The Next Step

After graduation, Izzy is starting exactly where they feel most comfortable: their home studio. It’s a place where Izzy can build their clientele, sharpen their skills, and grow at their own pace before taking the next step.

Polka Dot Nails by Izzy

The dream Izzy is really working toward is something that does not fit neatly into a single category. They want to be part of a beauty collective, a space where beauty professionals of all kinds independently own and run their own businesses right alongside each other. “The ideal situation would be all of us independently owning and operating our own businesses in the same space,” Izzy says. “It honestly just sounds like a really enjoyable and fulfilling work setting.” And honestly, who would not want that?

Izzy’s advice to anyone thinking about enrolling is the kind you can only give after you have actually lived it. Go to the events. Keep practicing outside of class. Volunteer to be the demo. Answer questions even when you are not sure you are right. “Going to beauty school is an investment in yourself, and you’re choosing to pursue a career,” Izzy says. “It’s a good idea to take advantage of the resources we have available to us while we have them.” With six awards earned during their time at EBC, it’s clear that Izzy has taken that advice to heart.

Izzy Hale is expected to graduate from EBC’s Renton campus in September 2026. Follow their nail work on Instagram at @Tangerine.Talons. We cannot wait to see what they create.

If you are interested in pursuing a career in the beauty industry, check out our Nail Technology program or Schedule a Virtual Tour at one of our campuses: Bellingham, Mount Vernon, Everett, North Seattle, Renton, Olympia, and Yakima.