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 theyβve learnt with students from around New Zealand (and indeed the world) who want to change their lives and careers. Thereβs never a better time than now.
CLICK ON ONE OF THE EDUCATORS BELOW TO VIEW THEIR WORK
Penny Lawler
Managing Director
Book a Nail Appointment with Penny at her Tairua-based Salon
Iβm 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, Iβve 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 ScoreΒ 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.
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 in and out of classes.
If you need to contact me directly, you can email meΒ [email protected]
x Penny
Becca Hofmann
Mentor
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
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, sheβs passionate about hand-painted art and will happily spend all day creating fantastic nails. Thereβs 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 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.
Erin Sutherland
Junior Mentor
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.
Jayde Kruskopf
Junior Mentor
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 wasnβt 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 itβs 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. Itβs 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 Iβm not doing nails, Iβm at hot yoga, spending time with my rabbit, outside exploring, or enjoying a cup of tea π