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How I Nailed It!: Leighton Denny
Leighton Denny’s How I Nailed It! details the incredible journey of how a dyslexic forklift truck driver from Bradford triumphed over adversity to become a world-renowned Celebrity Nail and Beauty Expert.
Dubbed as ‘Buff Daddy to the Stars’ by the media, Leighton swapped greasy spoon cafes for the jet set life, tending to the talons of the rich and famous.
Building his multi-million pound empire from scratch, Leighton went from mobile nail therapist to inventor of the world‘s most expensive manicure and launching his luxury clinic in one of UK’s most prestigious establishments, Harrods.
Now, as one of the top-selling experts on the world’s leading shopping channel, QVC, and with his coveted Crystal Nail File sold every 15 seconds somewhere in the world, Leighton has become a global brand.
His roller-coaster life from school dropout to multi award-winning entrepreneur is never short of drama, intrigue and showbiz encounters, but above all, it is an inspirational story of how one boy’s unyielding determination led straight to success!
Dubbed as ‘Buff Daddy to the Stars’ by the media, Leighton swapped greasy spoon cafes for the jet set life, tending to the talons of the rich and famous.
Building his multi-million pound empire from scratch, Leighton went from mobile nail therapist to inventor of the world‘s most expensive manicure and launching his luxury clinic in one of UK’s most prestigious establishments, Harrods.
Now, as one of the top-selling experts on the world’s leading shopping channel, QVC, and with his coveted Crystal Nail File sold every 15 seconds somewhere in the world, Leighton has become a global brand.
His roller-coaster life from school dropout to multi award-winning entrepreneur is never short of drama, intrigue and showbiz encounters, but above all, it is an inspirational story of how one boy’s unyielding determination led straight to success!
172 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 15, 2014
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3 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
May 22, 2022
A cautionary tale of too much too soon for a young man who was raised as basically middle class but his epic talent and imaginative marketing sent him to the A list. When the author realized what was happening he took two steps back and re-focused. A sad but hopeful autobiography.
February 2, 2020
Leighton Denny is the UK’s leading nail expert. He has won numerous awards, opened a nail salon in one of London’s most exclusive locations, Harrods, has invented the world’s most expensive manicure, and has painted the talons of lots of celebrities, such as Geri Halliwell, Jane Jagger, and Joan Collins. But his life hasn’t always been so glamorous.
Leighton was born in Bradford, a small Northern English town. From an early age, he has shown an entrepreneurial mentality that lead him to create, and sell, several successful businesses. He first became fascinated with nails when, as a child, he saw his mother do her manicures. Despite jumping from a business venture to another, it eventually became clear that his future lied in the nail industry. So, he moved to London to pursue his dream.
Life in London wasn’t always easy. Leighton could have quickly gone off the rails, but his determination to succeed kept him focused. The ordeal his brother Stephen, a drug addict, put his family through, also kept him on the straight and narrow. That doesn’t mean that he led a boring life, though. On the contrary, Leighton enjoyed the clubbing scene and everything the city had to offer, and was always up for trying something new.
He travelled, made friends with lots of fascinating people who helped him make his dreams come true, and worked hard to overcome any obstacles life threw his way. And they were many. He never allowed anyone to discourage him and now, Leighton is one of the most sought-after professionals in his industry and has created his own range of products. And yet, he has remained humble and genuine.
In How I Nailed It! Leighton recalls exactly how he did it. He shares both the highs and lows of his life in a heartfelt, honest, and entertaining way. You’ll feel like you’re catching up with a friend down at the pub. I just wished we had got to hang out together longer. I devoured this book in just one day and I was so sad when it was over.
It ended a bit abruptly, with the launch of his first collection at QVC. I would love to know all the amazing things he has done since then, but, hopefully, he will soon write a new book to share the second part of his extraordinary journey too. In the meantime, enjoy How I Nailed It! It’s a touching and inspirational story that reminds us that, with hard work, determination, and a positive mentality, everything is possible.
Leighton was born in Bradford, a small Northern English town. From an early age, he has shown an entrepreneurial mentality that lead him to create, and sell, several successful businesses. He first became fascinated with nails when, as a child, he saw his mother do her manicures. Despite jumping from a business venture to another, it eventually became clear that his future lied in the nail industry. So, he moved to London to pursue his dream.
Life in London wasn’t always easy. Leighton could have quickly gone off the rails, but his determination to succeed kept him focused. The ordeal his brother Stephen, a drug addict, put his family through, also kept him on the straight and narrow. That doesn’t mean that he led a boring life, though. On the contrary, Leighton enjoyed the clubbing scene and everything the city had to offer, and was always up for trying something new.
He travelled, made friends with lots of fascinating people who helped him make his dreams come true, and worked hard to overcome any obstacles life threw his way. And they were many. He never allowed anyone to discourage him and now, Leighton is one of the most sought-after professionals in his industry and has created his own range of products. And yet, he has remained humble and genuine.
In How I Nailed It! Leighton recalls exactly how he did it. He shares both the highs and lows of his life in a heartfelt, honest, and entertaining way. You’ll feel like you’re catching up with a friend down at the pub. I just wished we had got to hang out together longer. I devoured this book in just one day and I was so sad when it was over.
It ended a bit abruptly, with the launch of his first collection at QVC. I would love to know all the amazing things he has done since then, but, hopefully, he will soon write a new book to share the second part of his extraordinary journey too. In the meantime, enjoy How I Nailed It! It’s a touching and inspirational story that reminds us that, with hard work, determination, and a positive mentality, everything is possible.
May 25, 2017
Riveting
But then I knew Leighton in Bradford or more correctly I knew Jack. I designed his first house on Brookfoot and Jack conned me into help with the construction. I also designed his next house in Bierley and got persuaded into helping lay the concrete foundation for that as well. I also did some plans for Leighton,s first nail bar behind a bridal shop for the council in London. Did I think he was going to be a big success and rub shoulders with all those personalities, not really if I am honest but he was always a live wire on the move constantly bewitched by something new. I do remember Jack saying to me one day he was worried about Leighton who had just gone down " I went to London to see him and he has a pass to Stringfellows which in itself is a worry but when you see it's a VIP pass and know how much they cost I worry. LD will fly it's the landing that may be a problem, or maybe not" Well done Leighton
But then I knew Leighton in Bradford or more correctly I knew Jack. I designed his first house on Brookfoot and Jack conned me into help with the construction. I also designed his next house in Bierley and got persuaded into helping lay the concrete foundation for that as well. I also did some plans for Leighton,s first nail bar behind a bridal shop for the council in London. Did I think he was going to be a big success and rub shoulders with all those personalities, not really if I am honest but he was always a live wire on the move constantly bewitched by something new. I do remember Jack saying to me one day he was worried about Leighton who had just gone down " I went to London to see him and he has a pass to Stringfellows which in itself is a worry but when you see it's a VIP pass and know how much they cost I worry. LD will fly it's the landing that may be a problem, or maybe not" Well done Leighton
December 30, 2016
If I had to choose a preferred brand of nail varnish, Leighton's would totally be at the top of my list... though some of the Avon ones are pretty darn good as well if I am honest (and have nicer brushes in my opinion...). Despite not usually being a fan of autobiographies when my Mum passed this to me as something to keep me entertained in the last two days to the New Year I was somehwat interested but wasn't expecting a really amazing read. Given that this is outside my genre I was still entertained and did find myself unwilling to put the book down.
The tales from Leighton's childhood were interesting, and it was nice to see how down to earth he actually is - despite a number of chances to get an overblown head! I also found it really interesting to see how he 'fell into' the world of nails. Given that I am just starting to find my feet in a career I think I am going to enjoy and want to remain in, it's interesting to hear how other people seemingly also stumbled into the perfect career options for them!
From the way this ended it's possible that a sequel may come along in a few years. Though it isn't something I'd be desperate to read, I admit to being intrigued to hear more about how he grew his brand.
The tales from Leighton's childhood were interesting, and it was nice to see how down to earth he actually is - despite a number of chances to get an overblown head! I also found it really interesting to see how he 'fell into' the world of nails. Given that I am just starting to find my feet in a career I think I am going to enjoy and want to remain in, it's interesting to hear how other people seemingly also stumbled into the perfect career options for them!
From the way this ended it's possible that a sequel may come along in a few years. Though it isn't something I'd be desperate to read, I admit to being intrigued to hear more about how he grew his brand.
January 3, 2015
Well done Leighton on such an achievement, excellent book , I felt very honoured to read of your hardships and successes. Your book is, so easy to read but hard to put down, here's to the next chapter in your life. Congratulations again on your MBE !
September 5, 2015
Interesting to find out how Leighton came from such humble beginnings to becoming so successful. Hard work and dedication. Well deserved.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews