Today we’d like to introduce you to Jocelyn McLin.
Hi Jocelyn, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Life has taken me all over the world and down a many of paths in my 33 years of life, but my journey started in good old St. Louis, MO where I was born and raised. I had the typical happy textbook upbringing. Mom, Dad, brother, sister, and dog. Lots of extracurricular activities, family vacations, and church every Sunday. I attended private school all the way until my second year of college when I had an epiphany. I no longer wanted to spend hours in a classroom. I wanted to experience life and do something outside the norm of my family dynamic of doctors, preachers, athletes, and professors.
I had worked in retail since high school so I made it a goal to become one of the youngest managers of the store I was working in. I knew what I had to do. I quit school. My dad was not happy and my mom made me promise that I would at least complete some type of higher education. Here is where the story really begins so hold on it goes by fast!
I accomplished my goal of being the youngest manager within a year. I moved into my own place with a then-boyfriend. A year goes by and we part ways leaving me in this apartment with rent by myself. No biggie I grabbed two more jobs. One as a part-time associate at another clothing store and another as a waitress at a steakhouse on the weekends I was free. Eventually, it became too much and the main job where I had been for several years could no longer accommodate my schedule. They let me go.
Fortunately, that same day I received an email to come to a group interview to become a Flight Attendant. I knew nothing about what it took to be a Flight Attendant, and never gave it any thought but I figured what could it hurt? I went, and they talked about how glamorous the life was and how it was filled with jet-setting across the world. They took us each back for an interview and asked me a few questions, had me read an announcement, and hired me on the spot. After that, flying was my life for the next seven years. During that time, as much fun as I had flying over the world it always felt like something was missing. I wasn’t walking in my purpose and I knew it, felt it.
I’ve always loved the arts and fashion. Anything I could get my hands on that was deemed artsy fartsy I did it when I wasn’t flying. I even worked part-time for a wedding coordinator. I loved it but still felt empty.
This time though I took a leap of faith and quit my job, but not without obstacles. I had always wanted to be a YouTube blogger and thought to vlog my journeys as a Flight Attendant but was always too nervous to do it. On one of the many days lying in bed, watching YouTube, wondering why I quit my job a video came across about doing your own acrylic nails. My interest was piqued seeing as how we were now in a Pandemic at this point and getting my nails done at the salon was a no-go.
One video led to another then another then an epiphany happened. I’m going to go to school to be a Nail Tech. I researched all night to get the information I needed. I registered for school but had to wait of course because of COVID. By August protocols were in place and school could begin. I completed the accelerated program and graduated Valedictorian. The journey wasn’t easy though.
Behind closed doors, I was in a relationship that was perfect on the outside but on the inside it was rough. After I graduated things had gotten worse and one day, I got the courage to leave. I called my brother who lived here in Texas and without question, he came to help me and my mom pack my things. I let my boss at my part-time job who had grown to be like a second mother to me know I was moving. She wouldn’t let me leave for Texas without taking my written and practical exam and without hesitation, she paid for me to take both.
Through the stress of leaving a relationship, packing, and trying to figure out my next move I managed to have the highest score they had seen on the written exam. My mom drove me the 2 hours outside of St. Louis to take my practical and I passed with flying colors nervous, worried, scared, and all. Wait business wrapped up in St. Louis it was now on to Texas. I got a job immediately and saved enough money to move out of my brother’s home and into my own within 6 months of living here. All the puzzle pieces were falling into place so quickly and I knew I had finally found my purpose. I was right where I needed to be and I couldn’t have done it without the encouragement of my family, friends, and people I met that supported me without even seeing my work, but most importantly I couldn’t have done it without God!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It most definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. I left everything behind and slept on an air mattress in my brother’s second bedroom. The job I was working wasn’t completely honest about the schedule and the pay. I felt tricked but I knew it was only a stepping stone. With that schedule and not being in my own space, I wasn’t really able to practice my craft. I was still trying to get over the loss of my relationship and was fighting being homesick/missing my mom and the rest of my family. I knew that nails were my passion and there were times I wanted to give up. Each time I wanted to give up another puzzle piece fell into place to push me to keep going.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a licensed Manicurist but I like to affectionately call myself The Neighborhood Nail Tech. I am extremely passionate about the health of my clients’ nails. Not only that, I promised myself I would never work in a salon. All too many times I’ve heard clients and friends tell me that while getting their nails done, they don’t like the shape, color, experience, or vibe in the nail salon. So much so they would just pay for a set or pedicure they didn’t like only to go home and attempt to file or change it because they didn’t want to say anything at the salon. I want to break that stigma and want my clients to feel comfortable at all times. I pride myself on above and beyond customer service but most importantly being myself and allowing my clients to feel comfortable being themselves.
I specialize in acrylic sets but I love doing a good old-school gel polish manicure!
I am most proud of my growth as a Nail Tech. I was the worst at acrylic sets in my class! Now it’s my favorite type of set to do!
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
God gets all the credit first and foremost! My family has been my number one supporter, especially my mom and brother. They both never let me quit even when I wanted to. My mom is always volunteering her nails and my brother shamelessly promotes me to his customers. My friends are always sending encouraging words and come to get their nails done. My esthetician who barely knew me when we met and had never seen any of my work initially has supported and encouraged me, making sure I stick to my goals. My very first official Texas client thank you for trusting me with your nails!
Contact Info:
- Email: jodii.slays@gmail.com
- Website: styleseat.com/jocelynmclin
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_jodislays/
