WHO WE ARE
Monaco Nail Academy is a training centre built on goals and determination. From a single bedroom in a rented home to a commercial salon and graduates around the world, Monaco Founder Penny Lawler has proven that no matter the starting position, the race is yours for the taking.
Today, Penny and her team share everything they’ve learnt with students from around New Zealand (and indeed the world) who want to change their lives and careers. There’s never a better time than now.
CLICK ON ONE OF THE EDUCATORS BELOW TO VIEW THEIR WORK
Penny Lawler
Managing Director / Mentor - Coromandel
Book a Nail Appointment with Penny at her Tairua-based Salon
I’m Penny, founder of Monaco Nail Academy. I’ve been a Nail Artist since 2007 and I absolutely love it – nails are a passion I discovered accidentally and one which has taken my life in a direction I never imagined!
As a Level 2 ‘Scholar’ Educator for Artistic Nail Design, I’ve won awards for best practical nail application amongst the Australasian Education team twice, coming second behind Vanessa Zuj in 2015. I was also privileged to be awarded Runner Up Nail Technician of the Year 2015/2016 at the NZ Beauty Industry Awards and have won the following awards –
- Highest Practical Nail Score amongst Level 1 Artistic Educators (Australasia, 2013)
- Highest Practical Nail Score amongst Level 2 Artistic Educators (Australasia, 2014)
- First Place Sculptured French Acrylic 2015
- First Place Gel Polish Manicure 2015
- Second Place Tips and Overlay 2015
- Runner Up NZ Nail Competitions Grand Champion 2015
- Runner Up Nail Technician of the Year 2015
- Highest Written Test Score amongst Level 1 and 2 Artistic Educators (Australasia, 2016)
- First Place French Sculptured 2016
- First Place French Tip and Overlay 2016
- First Place Stiletto Twist 2016
- Highly Commended Photographic Nail Art 2016
- Highest Written Test Score amongst Level 1 and 2 Artistic Educators (Australasia, 2017)
- First Place Salon Design 2017
- Second Place Gel Polish Nail Art 2017
- Third Place Stiletto Glitz and Glam 2017
- Third Place Salon French 2017
I’ve worked closely with Alisha Rimando Botero, Sam Biddle, Tracey Boyle and Kylie Clare and was honoured to be asked to present 3 demonstrations at the 2014 Melbourne Rock Hard World Tour, a privilege usually reserved for the Level 3 Global Team.
in 2023 I moved into a judging role, judging two days of live Floor Competitions at the NZ Nail Competitions at the NZ Hair and Beauty Expo.
My day to day work with Monaco is more about running the business as well as handling all things marketing, but you’ll see me around. You can also book One on ONe Training with me here.
If you need to contact me directly, you can email me [email protected]
x Penny
Becca Hofmann
Mentor - Waikato
Becca is a nail enthusiast from way back, and has been sharing her nail art online since she was at university. She originally trained as a lawyer, and has worked in legal publishing, community development and policy. However she never stopped loving nails, and in 2020 she enrolled with Monaco.
She was quickly hooked on the industry, and opened her home nail salon in April 2021. Her mission is to make everyone who walks through the door feel welcome, listened to, and empowered to take on the world.
In her spare time you can find Becca playing with her pup, scrolling Instagram for ispo, or working on the same embroidery piece for a year and a half.
Anthea Whittle
Mentor - Taranaki
Having a passion for nails and nail art most of her life and with the rise of gel nail products, Anthea knew she had to get proper training and enrolled with Monaco Nail Academy in 2019.
Anthea believes that everyone with fingers can have gorgeous nails, and loves to guide clients to care for their natural nail health. A naturally creative person, she’s passionate about hand-painted art and will happily spend all day creating fantastic nails. There’s no greater satisfaction than a client delighted with their nails.
Anthea has a background in digital media and project management, manages chronic illness (which adds some bumps to the road), and splits her time between her childhood home in rural Coromandel, New Plymouth and Auckland city. Other than nails, Anthea likes films, computer games, soaking in hot water, hanging out with her cat and trying out new restaurants. She will always take her fresh nails out for a fancy drink and photo-op.
Jayde Kruskopf
Junior Mentor - Otago and Southland
From the age of 14 I always knew that nails were my passion. I would sit at my nail table for hours, and any chance I got, I would be painting nail designs on display wheels and swatches.
I was disappointed when I left school to find that there were no Nail Tech courses in my city, so went on to do Beauty Therapy instead, gaining my Certificate and Diploma in Beauty Therapy. It still wasn’t enough for me though, and I knew nails were my ultimate passion, so I started researching Nail Tech courses, and stumbled across Monaco Nail Academy. I turned my hobby into a career and it’s the best choice I ever made!
I now work as both a Nail Technician and Beauty Therapist, combining my two passions to cater a wide range of services to my clients. It’s always been my goal to make a difference in people’s lives, and to have them walking out the door feeling refreshed and pampered!
In my spare time when I’m not doing nails, I’m at hot yoga, spending time with my rabbit, outside exploring, or enjoying a cup of tea 😊
Bailey Janet
Mentor - Wellington and Manawatu-Wanganui
Hi I’m Bailey! I have a day job and I mentor for Monaco in my spare time. My day job involves lots of chemicals and Penny calls me “the fancy scientist”.
You will see me mentoring some of the full day classes run during the year.
Jessica Whiting
Junior Mentor - Northland
Hi I’m Jess! I Currently run my own busy salon, Gloss Nail Salon, in Mangawhai in winterless Northland. Prior to training with Monaco, I ran my own Graphic and Web Design business and worked as a freelance Photographer, over my professional career I have worn a few hats… Senior Designer, Art Director, Creative Director, Publisher, and Event Planner to name just a few. I have a Diploma in Graphic Design and studied Art, Design and Photography in the UK in the late 90s, so creativity is a huge part of my personality.
After having my second baby, I decided a career pivot was in order and loved the idea of combining my love for colour and art with my working day. The best part of my job is that I am often the highlight of my clients week! Nobody is in a bad mood to see me when it’s nail day.
I have a passion for natural nail health and love creating unique, hand-painted art for my clients, just as much as I love a crisp and clean single colour. Monaco has supported me with the skills to become a meticulous and sought-after Nail Technician, something that I am excited as a Mentor to pass on those skills to others in their own journey.
Erin Sutherland
Junior Mentor - Canterbury
Hi I’m Erin
I have a love for all things arts and crafts especially now nail art. I started training with Monaco in 2019 after a serious ankle injury required me to have more time off my feet.
Previously working in the health industry, I enjoyed helping others to feel good and take better care of themselves, this has transferred into my current role with my small business Little Moon Nails. I find it incredibly rewarding helping to lift people’s spirits and putting smiles on thier faces.
I’m passionate about natural nail health and quality education in which I am excited to assist in mentoring new nail technicians in quality education to improve our industry.
Aside from nails I also enjoy quality time with friends, family and fur family, cooking, arts and crafts and occasionally watching something on Netflix.
Qualifications:
Monaco Certificates: Theory of Nails | Mani Pedi | Acrylic | HardGel | PolyGel
Runner-Up – New Zealand Nail Competition 2023 – Novice Poster Category.
Level 6 certificate in manual eyebrow cosmetic tattooing.
Pat Oyson-Matthan
Content Creation
Hi I’m Pat! I do content creation for Monaco, you may see me in a lot of the Monaco social media posts. Feel free to say hi and ask any questions, as I am a student too!
I am also working towards qualifying as a lash extension artist. I am currently learning the classic up to full volume styles through Blush and Blink. I hope to complete this by October.
Qualifications:
Certificate in Public Relations and Communication Management level 5 Open Polytechnic
Lilly Sophià
Wholesale Orders
Hi I’m Lilly! I deal with the day to day wholesale orders for Monaco. From when the initial order is placed to shipping.
I am also a student at Monaco and do nails in Tairua with Penny.
Jessica Fraser
Social Media
Hi I’m Jess! If you see any of the snazzy social media posts, that’s me! Let me know if you really like something!
Carl Evans
IT and Web Support
Hi i’m Carl! I look after the IT side of Monaco, along side our web developers. If you have any website issues, or questions feel free to email [email protected] and I will respond.