NAILS

36 | NAILS MAGAZINE | DECEMBER 2016{nails file}Last June, nail tech Tashina “Poochie” Green was approached by the producers of “Harry” —Harry Connick, Jr.’s new daytime television show — about filming her at her Atlanta salon,Poochiez Pawz Nail Studios. They told her it was for a segment about female entrepreneurs.Lo and behold, the big day arrived and in walked Harry Connick, Jr. himself. Connick toldher that not only would he be taking over for her at the salon, he would be treating her tosome shopping and a night on the town with her husband. As he ushered her out the door,Connick told her staff, “Poochiez Paws is closed for the day. Now it’s Harry’s Hands.”Green was both touched and thrilled by the surprise meeting. “It wasn’t like ‘hi’ and ‘bye.’He actually got to know me as a person,” she says. “The producers’ main goal was for meto get my story out in a positive way. If you want positive energy to come, you have to putpositive energy out. It’s crazy because you never know who is paying you any attention.”Green reunited with Connick on “Harry’s” debut episode in September to discuss hisvisit and unveil a new product from her Poochiez Nails line, a cuticle oil applicator. Connickdidn’t hold back when praising her skills as a nail tech, telling the audience that he followsher on Instagram (@Poochieznails) and that her nails are “magic” and “pieces of art.” As afinal surprise, the show arranged for Green to have a booth at Cosmoprof North Americato display her products.You can watch her appearances on “Harry” at http://www.nailsmag.com/poochie1 andhttp://www.nailsmag.com/poochie2.Atlanta Nail Tech Visited by Harry Connick, Jr.>>>Kymberly Lee, founder ofGalaxy Nail Products, passedaway on October 3, 2016 at age54. Lee was a nail technician,nail competitor, and aninnovator in both techniqueand products. She founded her company in1988 with her husband Tim. Her brother-in-law Jeff was also part of the business.Lee was a serious educator and lovedhelping nail technicians hone their skills. Sheworked early on as a mentor to Tom Holcomband Tom Bachik, both of whom went on tosuperstardom themselves. Lee was runner-upNAILS Educator of the Year in 1996 and wascited for her devotion to the nail industry. Shewould often pick up the phone herself when anail technician called in with a technical question. She said she knew that nailtechs wanted to speak to another nail tech who’d understand the challengespersonally.Lee was a fierce competitor on the competition circuit and was outspokenabout competitions. In the early days of competitions, anyone representing amanufacturer wasn’t allowed to compete, but she changed that.Lee is survived by her husband Tim and their three children, Preston (32),Lexy (26), and Stratton (23). She also had two grandchildren, Trinity (9) andDiego (3).Galaxy Nail Products’Founder Kym Lee Dies at 54Lee``````Lee teamed up with mega-competitor Tom Holcombto teach their techniques to other techs.``````Lee mentored many top nail competitors. Left toright are Tye Pierce, Lee, Carla Collier``````Galaxy ads from the 1990s featuredcompetition-perfect nails.