Today we’d like to introduce you to Shaniyah Jones.
Hi Shaniyah, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Growing up, I was the only baby girl in my family and the only child for many years. I was so spoiled and used to being pampered by my family, especially getting my hair and nails done. As a kid, I grew up seeing how my family provided for me and my entire family were entrepreneurs in their own way. I saw how they went out and hustled for the things they wanted and the life they wanted to provide for me. I was so grateful for how they loved me and always wanted me to have the very best things in life. My Grandmother had her own business planning weddings and making floral arrangements and I would help her even with my tiny hands. I grew up in a house with my mom and she worked independently and ALWAYS set an example and blueprint of how to be my own boss. My dad always played a constant part in my life and always provided for me. He would hate even seeing me with a chipped nail lol! As I grew, I tried so many different things and had so many different talents and I was always a perfectionist at anything I did, even in my school projects. I was a girly- girl and still loved every second of being pampered and the way it made me feel. I loved watching the process from seeing other nail technicians decorate my nails to painting my toes. At the age of 8, I became a big sister and I was so excited because I thought I would have my own real-life dolls and I could pamper them the way I was pampered. When I was in 8th grade, I bought my first mini nail kit from Walgreens. My mom is a nurse so I often went to work with her and she built close bonds with her patients so they would always love for me to come in and paint their nails. With so much going on in my personal life, this was a way to channel the energy and put it into making others feel good about themselves. I kept going with my mom for some time and I was still getting my nails done at the nail shop but this was the time when I began to really pay attention to the process, they had in doing nails. At the end of my sophomore year in high school, I got my first job and that is when I knew it was meant for me to be an entrepreneur. I didn’t like the feeling of working for somebody and upper management and older as well the same-age co-workers mishandling me because of my age. Within the next couple of months, I started saying that I wanted to become a nail tech, but I didn’t know where to start. By the time I was a junior in high school, I had done all my research on products and watched so many YouTube videos on the process and perfecting many different things within the nail category. I was so ready, but then COVID-19 hit and the world was in shambles. Being able to not do anything was so depressing and I was so sad because I just knew I was about to start my business off in a big way. To keep my mind off everything going on in the world, I decided that it was time for me to start practicing nails on myself, my mom, and my sisters so that when COVID was done I could finally start booking clients. My stepdad was the one who invested in my first nail kit as well as my drill and practice hand and I still to this day am so thankful for that. My family has been so supportive of me the whole way and has poured so much into my business and I don’t know how I can thank them enough for all they’ve done. I have been doing nails for almost 2 years now and I have seen so much growth in myself and my craft over this time of course, there’s always still room for improvement. I also create my own graphics for my website and nail page. By doing nails, I am also able to pamper my sisters and start them off knowing at a young age what it’s like to be treated like the princesses they are. I graduated high school with an associate of arts degree from Cedar Valley College and I am currently 20 years old and a full-time senior student at the University of North Texas in Denton. I am pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology. I plan to further my career in Physical Therapy school where I will obtain my Doctorate degree. My ultimate goal is to open up my own family practice one day. Being in college has allowed me the opportunity to expand my clientele so much! I also plan to go to cosmetology school and keep perfecting my craft. I believe I can do anything I put my mind to because I will always have God leading my path and a strong support system behind me.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Becoming my own boss has definitely had its challenges, especially with being so young. There’s always a time when you sit back and think, “is this really for me?”, or “can I really do this?”. Even with having a good support system behind me, there are times when I think I want to give up or I am not receiving the support from others that I would give out. You also have a lot of people looking in and trying to compare you to others. I think the main obstacles come from doubting your talents and worrying about what everyone else may say or think. You just have to shut everybody and everything out and do what’s best for you.
As you know, we’re big fans of NAILEDxNIY. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
I am an up-and-coming nail tech. I specialize in acrylic overlays and gel on natural and extended nails. I am known for my creativity. I think my business is different from others because I allow my clients to be themselves and I work with my client’s schedules. I will always take the extra step to make sure that your nails are beautiful and that you walk out feeling confident. I provide good conversation and I am also understanding to those who may be on the shyer side so I do what’s comfortable for my clients. I never want anyone to feel uncomfortable. Brand-wise, I am proud of the fact that I can create my own graphics and I am not scared to put my business out there. My brand has no limits, I accept EVERYONE from kids to adults of older ages.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
For those who just starting out, don’t be afraid to take the first step, and don’t be afraid to put yourself out there! People are drawn to you if they see that you really believe in what you are doing or promoting so promote yourself by any means and be your number one supporter. Place yourself in positions to WIN and never give up no matter what obstacles may arise. Don’t be afraid to ask those around you for help because help can come from the most unexpected places. When I was starting out, I wish I would have known how important it was to put myself out there and now I am learning the importance of opening yourself up to new opportunities.
Pricing:
- Acrylic Short Sets: $55
- Acrylic Medium Sets: $65
- Acrylic Long Sets: $75
- Kids Gel Manicure: $15
- Powder Dip Sets: $35
Contact Info:
- Website: https://nailedxniy.as.me/
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/nailedxniy?igshid=YWJhMjlhZTc=
Image Credits
Terri B Photography
StunnerBee Beauty Bar
@Touchedbyraee_
