Today we’d like to introduce you to Kimberly Salas.
Hi Kimberly, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I started my nail journey back in 2018, at the time I was in college getting my basics to become a nurse. Two years into school I realized I didn’t love science the way I thought I should. I was lost, I knew I had to do something just never thought it’d be nails. I had a nail technician that’d I usually vent to about not knowing what I wanted to do next. She encouraged me to go to school to become a nail tech myself because she said I was very creative but I was honestly very hesitant about it all, I just had so much going on at the time. One day while driving to Grand Prairie I saw a cosmetology school and decided to stop and check it out, the staff there gave me a tour and I was immediately convinced. It all became so real on my first day of school, I would just hope and pray that what I was doing was for a bigger purpose. A couple of months in I started falling in love with everything that had to do with nails, all I could think about was getting better and better. I graduated in July of 2018 after 7 long months, I was a full-time mother and worked a part-time job so it took longer than expected but I did it! As soon as I graduated I was practicing on my family members in my mother’s kitchen table. I went from my mom’s kitchen table to my own suite in Duncanville and started my first job at a nail salon in Oak Lawn. I was promoting every day, having specials, taking in clients whenever they needed me, I tried to never turn anyone down. I had so many personal things going on at the time, I’ve cried and have wanted to quit so many times but I just never did. I set a goal for myself, I wanted to make my children proud, I was hungry for success. I wanted to succeed against all odds, I had the desire to become successful and be someone my kids could look up too someday. I continued working day and night until I had a hair salon in Oak Cliff reach out to me about renting a suite with them. I was already thinking about relocating so it was just perfect timing, I moved to Oak Cliff soon after and have stayed in the area since. I was part of that salon for a year, after the pandemic hit it was time for me to move on and expand. I decided to sign a lease to a location located on Jefferson Blvd with a friend of mine but our plans didn’t go through and I was left to open a whole salon by myself. I was ready to call it quits once again because of how hard it had become but I reminded myself of how far I’ve come along and went through with working harder. My first salon located in Oak Cliff has now been open for a year and 3 months. I have 5 nail technicians and a hairstylist doing booth rent. In the beginning of January of 2022, I signed a second lease and opened Sleek’d Nails Kessler which is a commission-based salon that is also located in the heart of Oak Cliff. I am pushing myself and my girls to become the best versions of ourselves every chance I get. It has not been easy! I have invested so much of my time, money, and love into my salons. I, like everyone else, have personal life problems but what I don’t do is let anything no matter how big get in the way of my dreams. I have a goal to achieve and I am not going to stop until I get there.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
This journey has definitely been hard. Not only financially but mentally and physically. I have invested every cent I have made and have missed out on family time as well. Opening a salon is not easy but it’s definitely not impossible.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am currently managing both of my locations as far as advertising, booking keeping, and maintenance. As far as being behind the chair myself, I love to do nail art, rhinestones, 3D nail art, long nails, and natural nails. When I started my nail career my mentality was long nails all day every day until I started realizing what I could do with natural nails as well. I had client after client ask the same question, “Can you do this on short nails? because I can’t seem to find anyone who can”. That’s when I changed my perspective in my nail career and focused on working on a smaller canvas. I am known for being able to grow out the natural nail bed using acrylic. I love educating my clients and proving to them that with the proper nail care and removal your natural nail can be healthy. I am also known for my attention to detail, I love taking care of my clients. Most people that have sat in my chair have had bad experiences when it comes to getting nail enhancements so I like to challenge myself to make everyone as comfortable as possible. I am so proud of how far I’ve come along in the nail industry. I am proud to know I have encouraged others to take the next step and start their own careers in the beauty industry. What sets me apart from others is my personality, my love for people, and nail art. I am not only a nail artist but a friend to so many women. I’ve become like family to most of my clientele and that has been the biggest reward yet.
What do you think about luck?
I can say I’ve had good and bad luck! I could write an entire book to explain just how many times things have worked themselves out due to pure luck. I can say I surprise myself sometimes because I’ve made it out of situations that are hard to overcome.
Pricing:
- Acrylic Overlays start at $50
- Acrylic Nail Enhancements start at $55
- Pedicures start at $40
- Manicures start at $25
Contact Info:
- Email: sleekdnails19@yahoo.com
- Website: https://www.vagaro.com/sleekdnailsondavis
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/kimberlysnails_, https://instagram.com/sleekdnails2_, and https://instagram.com/sleekdnails_
- Yelp: https://yelp.to/xQnNEic9mpb
Image Credits
Mercedes Pinon
