Founding Artist badge
A visible badge on your profile and in customer search — country-coded so the same program works when we expand internationally.
Founding Artist Program · New Zealand
Christchurch cohort: 0 of 20 places filled
Help launch Nicenails in Christchurch
We’re recruiting up to 20 founding nail artists in Christchurch — the first professionals on the platform in New Zealand. You’ll get exclusive status, priority discovery, and a direct line to the founder while we grow your city.
Christchurch founding artists
Meet Christchurch’s founding nail artists on Nicenails. Tap an avatar to visit their studio and see their designs.
Founding artists will appear here as they go live with a studio pin and published design.
Who this is for
Artists only — not customers. You sign up as an Artist in Nicenails, create or join a studio, and publish nail designs for people browsing in your area.
- Independent nail artists and home-based techs in Greater Christchurch
- Salon chairs and studio teams (one founding seat per person)
- Artists ready to publish at least one design and take booking requests
What founding artists get
Exclusive perks for the first 20 artists in Christchurch.
Priority discovery
Featured placement in the Artists tab for customers near you — ahead of later joiners in Christchurch.
12 months studio Pro free
When you go live as a founding artist, your whole studio gets 12 months of Pro — up to 50 published designs per artist, plus portfolio and booking capacity as billing launches. Solo artists get this on their personal studio too.
Direct founder access
Onboarding support, a direct channel for questions, and a voice in what we build next for artists in New Zealand.
Shape the product
Founding artists help prioritise features — booking flow, portfolio, studio tools — while the app is still young in Christchurch.
Marketing recognition
With your permission, we may feature your studio name and work on this site as founding partners when we tell the Christchurch launch story.
What we ask in return
- Publish at least one design within 14 days of your invite
- Complete your studio and map pin in the Christchurch area
- Join a short onboarding call (~30 minutes) with the founder
- Respond to booking requests within a reasonable time (we’ll agree expectations upfront)
- Optional: one portfolio photo and occasional feedback as we improve the app
How it works
- Apply — email us using the button above (reviewed manually; invite-only).
- Invite — if accepted, you receive a founding artist invite for Christchurch.
- Onboard — sign up in the app as Artist, set up your studio, publish your first design.
- Go live — your profile shows Founding Artist · NZ and priority placement locally.
FAQ
Is this for customers?
No — founding status is for professional nail artists only. Customers use Nicenails to browse designs and book artists.
What happens after 12 months?
Your Founding Artist · NZ badge stays if you met the program obligations. The studio Pro grant ends after 12 months — each artist can keep existing published designs, but new publishes follow your studio’s plan (Hobby, Pro seats, or Enterprise). Founders get advance notice and fair terms before any paid upgrade.
Does Pro mean unlimited designs?
No — founding studios get Pro, which includes up to 50 published designs per artist. Enterprise (for larger studios) offers unlimited publishes. Hobby is free with 5 published designs per artist.
Do I need in-app payments?
Not at launch. Customer payments can stay off-platform while we grow Christchurch; the app focuses on discovery, designs, and booking requests.
Can I join without a salon?
Yes — you still create a studio workspace in the app (your brand or chair). Every published design is attached to a studio.
What about Auckland or other cities?
We open new city cohorts (20 artists each) after Christchurch is established. Join the waitlist below.
Auckland, Wellington, and other NZ cities — not open yet. Email info@nicenailsapp.com with your city to join the waitlist.