Haggai Goudeau shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Hi Haggai , thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: Have you ever been glad you didn’t act fast?
Yes, there have definitely been times when I was glad, I didn’t rush. One experience that stands out is when it took me longer than most to get my cosmetology and manicurist licenses. I’ve always believed there’s no need to hurry through something until you truly feel ready. I postponed classes and delayed taking my state board exam not because I didn’t care, but because I wanted to make sure, I fully understood what I was doing.
My parents always told me, “Slow and steady wins the race,” and that what’s meant for you will come in its own time. I’ve carried that advice with me. I never told myself I couldn’t do something; I just chose to move at my own pace. In the end, I realized that taking my time helped me gain deeper knowledge. I often noticed that while others who rushed were still learning certain things, I had already mastered them because I sought out that education early on. I genuinely enjoy learning and asking questions you never know when that knowledge will come in handy.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Haggai Goudeau, I’m 25 years old, and I’m the owner of Goudeau Nail Experience a private suite–based nail brand where I specialize in hand-drawn and freestyle nail art. I’m originally from Lake Charles, Louisiana, where I got my start in the beauty industry in 2018, and by 2019, I went full force into nails. Over the past five years, I’ve truly grown in this craft. I apprenticed under two talented nail techs with over ten years of experience each, training with them for nearly two years before relocating to Dallas. Since moving here, I’ve continued to grow my business and build my brand, focusing on providing a personalized and creative experience for every client.
What drew me to nails was my creativity and my love for the beauty industry. Nails remind me of painting and drawing you start with a blank canvas and create something unique every time. Bringing my clients’ visions to life and seeing how their designs can boost their confidence or even move them to tears is what keeps me motivated and passionate about my work. Currently, I’m working on plans to open my own salon suites, where I want to offer a space for other stylists and techs to grow, collaborate, and build a supportive community of professionals who are serious about business and creativity. I’m also pursuing my bachelor’s degree in game design, which I plan to tie into my nail artistry in the future though those ideas are still in development.
What sets Goudeau Nail Experience apart is my simplified pricing system. My clients only pay for their design length and shape are already included. This approach gives them the freedom to book based on the artwork they want without worrying about extra add-ons. It opens up their creativity, letting them dream big with their designs while knowing the foundation of every set will be flawless.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
When I was a child, I used to believe that I wasn’t very smart that I was “slow” when it came to learning. I always took a little longer to understand things, and I thought that was a bad thing. I never got perfect grades or excelled at sports; I was more of the “nerdy” kid who preferred playing games over being active.
But as I’ve grown, I’ve realized that learning differently doesn’t mean you’re not intelligent. Between owning a business, going to school, and even playing games competitively, I’ve discovered that there’s a lot of strategy, planning, and technical thinking involved in everything I do. Whether it’s marketing, building websites, or creating backup plans months or even years in advance, I’ve learned that my mind works in ways that are creative and analytical at the same time.
Looking back, I can see that I’m a lot smarter than I once allowed myself to believe. I had confined myself to the opinions and judgments of others, and breaking free from that mindset was a huge part of my growth. As a kid, you tend to believe everything people say about you, but learning to heal from that kind of early doubt has been empowering. Once you start loving and accepting yourself for who you already are, it truly changes everything.
When did you stop hiding your pain and start using it as power?
I stopped hiding my pain when I was 17 years old. I had gone through a lot of guilt, depression, and a health scare that really shook me. Life wasn’t going the way I wanted, but instead of letting that break me, I decided to use it as motivation to keep going. I realized life is short, and there’s no point in sitting in stress over things you can’t change in the moment. It’s better to focus on what you can do next and keep moving forward.
I’ve never really been the overly positive type of my friends and family joke that I’m the “Eeyore” of the group, like the character from Winnie the Pooh. But even Eeyore, who rebuilt his house over and over again, never gave up. That always stuck with me: no matter how many times things fall apart, you rebuild until it stands strong. You can’t let one bad experience change your entire outlook there’s always a way forward, even if you don’t see it right away.
That mindset carries over into my business too. I learned early on that you can’t wait for family or friends to be your main source of support most times, strangers will believe in you first. I stopped feeling discouraged by that and started seeing it as part of my journey. True support doesn’t come from discounts or favors; it comes from people who see your vision and genuinely value what you do.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
A belief and project I’ve fully committed to is opening my first storefront building and eventually expanding into three locations. My ultimate goal is to build generational wealth not just for myself, but for my family and future generations. There’s no specific timeline for that, because success doesn’t happen overnight. I always tell people, “Rome wasn’t built in a day.” Good things take time, and I truly live by that.
I’ve never wanted to be the hare in the race I’d rather be the turtle, the underdog no one sees coming. Moving at a steady pace allows me to build a strong foundation, make thoughtful decisions, and create something that lasts. What I’m working toward isn’t just a business; it’s a legacy. My dream is to create something my family can one day take over, something that can stand the test of time. I want the Goudeau name to represent dedication, creativity, and perseverance something worthy of being written about in a maybe book one day.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. If you retired tomorrow, what would your customers miss most?
Honestly, if I retired today, I don’t even think I’d make it home my clients would probably drag me right back into the suite and refuse to see anyone else until they realized I was really done! Haha.
I think what they’d miss most is my creativity and our conversations. I’ve always been unapologetically myself I don’t sugarcoat how I feel or what I think and that honesty has built a genuine bond between me and my clients. From the outside, people might think we’re being rude or not on the same page, but that’s just our language. We’ve built a level of understanding and comfort where they trust me completely with their nails.
They know they can sit down, say “Do whatever you want,” and walk out with a set they love no micromanaging, no stress. I think that trust, the safe and honest space we’ve created together, and the laughter we share is what they’d truly miss the most.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://tr.ee/ClMFrKawcT
- Facebook: https://tr.ee/i3JCpVx4er
- Other: https://linktr.ee/goudeaunailexperience?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=2061a4e2-c15a-4cb2-a03f-5dc7438afbb5
Image Credits
BeastMode Phtography
