Crystal Celebration

Crystal
Celebration

In honor of 15 years of innovation and growth, we talk to the Gelish founders for a look back.

BY GELISH

08.14.24

Fifteen years ago, acrylic was the leading product in the U.S. nail industry. But there was a learning curve necessary to perfect the service, and it was time intensive — that is, until David Daniel, Danny Haile and Gari-Dawn Tingler brought Gelish to market, and it changed the industry forever. Here, the three founders take a look back on their journey with Gelish and give us a sneak peek of what's to come.

Setting the Scene

Danny Haile, Co-Founder and CEO:

“David, Gari-Dawn and I had all owned and worked together at another company, and we consulted for different companies. One of the companies I was consulting for was out of Japan. They were doing manicures in their 150 salons, but they were taking too long; they wanted a faster service. At that time, the technology and innovation in the nail industry was pretty flat. Looking at the market, I realized that we needed to make a product that was almost like nail polish, and that's what made me think about how we could make gel polish like nail polish.”

Gari-Dawn Tingler, Co-Founder, CFO and Vice President:

“Being a nail tech, coming from the industry and doing nails gave me a unique perspective. At the time, there was really only gel in a jar. You had to apply it with a brush, and it had to cure under a UV light for two minutes — for each layer of gel. Most of the gel at the time was clear and some pinks were available, but there weren't colors.”

David Daniel, Co-Founder and President:

President: “Danny is my cousin, but we grew up more like brothers. We started beauty college 35 years ago and worked together in a chain of family nail salons. Eventually we started a nail brand, grew it for about 20 years, and then sold the company. A few years later, Danny gave me a call and said 'You have to see this new invention that I have.’”

The Birth of Gelish

DD: “When Danny invented Gelish, it changed our industry. Gels were very popular in Europe, but not so popular in the U.S., and they were complicated to use. What we needed was to create a faster gel service. When Danny showed me how easy the application was — applying gel polish with a bottle and brush — we just knew it was going to change our industry. And it has. Even a beginner nail technician could do beautiful nails right away. Gelish, without a doubt, made nail enhancements available to the masses.” DH: “I came up with the name Gelish — like gel and polish — and asked Gari-Dawn to register the name, and that’s what started it all. Our demand was so high in the beginning that we had all of our kids’ friends come and help us. We were working 24/7 for our first big order. It was just amazing. Our kids and their friends were putting products in boxes and putting on labels, it was crazy. Just to be there at that time, in that excitement, was awesome.” GDT: “When Danny was able to take gel polish, put it in a bottle and cure it in an LED light in 30 seconds, it changed the world.”

Challenges and Rewards

DD: “One of our biggest challenges was the rapid growth over the years. Gelish grew so fast, and being able to manage that growth was hard. But I’m also very proud of what we’ve accomplished with Gelish. When I walk by a nail salon and see Gelish inside the salon, it makes me feel good that we’ve created great products that nail technicians want to use in their businesses.” DH: “In the beginning, our biggest challenge was getting it to market, to get it to everyone who wanted it because it was in such high demand. Now our challenge is how we’re going to come out with new innovations and to make cleaner and greener products. I think the biggest accomplishment of Gelish is how it changed the nail industry. Gelish gave nail technicians the opportunity to offer more services, and therefore make more money.” GDT: “One of the biggest challenges is bringing new innovations to market. People are afraid of change. How do you show them that this is great for them? The most rewarding part of what we do is keeping ourselves relevant; staying ahead of the curve; bringing new innovations to market; sharing the passion and the products that we bring to the industry; and seeing the successes of the nail technicians that we train.”

We Are Family

DD: “For me, working with family is probably the single most important aspect of my business. I love working with my family, traveling the world with Danny and Gari-Dawn (my 'adopted sister’), and now with the next generation of our family. I think we’ve laid a great foundation for our next generation to run the business.” DH: “I’ve been in the nail industry for more than 35 years, and a lot of that time I traveled. One regret I have is not being around my kids enough. But now to see my kids in the business, it’s pretty awesome. Sometimes you come in as a dad rather than a boss, but getting to see them grow as young professionals is the coolest part. I don’t get to work with them 100% all day long, but getting to see them everyday in the office is great.” GDT: “Being a small company and family-owned allows us to innovate and change quickly, and it allows us to respond faster. We get the freedom to be creative, make change and do what we want to do as we see what the industry needs. It’s hard — you get to fight with your brothers and sisters all the time — but you also have the flexibility and freedom to do what you need and want to do.”

What Is Gelish?

DD: “Gelish is family. Whether it’s here with our actual family or around the world with our Gelish family. It’s been an amazing ride. I have two of the best partners in the world. We’ve never had to encourage each other to work; we do what we have to do and get it done. Danny makes the great products, and Gari-Dawn and I sell them and educate them. We’ve built an amazing business.” DH: “Gelish is a lot of hard work. But that hard work has brought our industry together like a family. And with our actual families behind it, you can always depend on Gelish.” GDT: “Gelish to me is passion. It’s the passion that brings all the innovation, ideology and hard work together.”

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