If I had a dollar for every time I had to hide my phone under my desk to reply to a client’s dm during class, I’d probably have enough to buy a lifetime supply of the Vbeatypure acrylic collection.
Being a student preneur sounds super aesthetic on tiktok, but the reality is much more chaotic. It’s dusty clothes, late night essays with shaking hands, and constantly feeling like your brain is split between two different worlds. If you’re currently trying to balance a growing nail business with a full time school schedule, I want you to know, I see you, I’ve been you, and you can do this without losing your mind.
The 24-Hour Hustle: My Actual Schedule
People always ask how I did it all. The truth is, I didn’t. I just followed a very strict, somewhat exhausting routine. To give you an idea of what it actually looks like to run a business while in high school, here was my typical Tuesday:
- 8:00 AM – 10:30 PM: Client Mode: If I had clients booked that morning I’d get up, start my day, do nails, and clean my studio.
- 11:00 PM: School, I go to class. Learn, or at least try to because my mind was constantly thinking about my business.
- 2:30 PM – 3PM: Rush home, more clients.
- 5 PM – 7:30 PM: Dinner+Family time. I always made sure I ate dinner with my family or at least tried to.
- 7:40PM: Go for a walk and clean.
- 9:30 PM: Edit content, plan content, study, homework.
- 1:00AM: Finally hit the pillow, just to do it all again.
It’s a grind. There is no way around that. But having a routine is the only thing that kept me from completely falling apart.
Marketing in the Hallways
The best part about being a nail tech in high school? You are surrounded by your target audience all day long. You don’t need a huge ad budget when you have a literal hallway full of potential clients.
I got my first few loyal clients by being my own walking billboard. I made sure my own sets were always flawless and a little extra to catch people’s eyes. When a girl in the bathroom would say, “OMG, I love your nails,” I didn’t just say thank you. I’d say, “Thank you so much! I actually did them myself.”
Handing out business cards at lunch and offering to do “inspo sets” for prom or homecoming for people was a game changer. Once one girl in a friend group has a fire set, the rest will follow.
The “Desk” Struggle
For a long time, my “salon” was just the kitchen table. I hated it. I had to carry all my tools out of my bedroom, set them up, and then pack everything back away before my family sat down for dinner. It was exhausting, and it made me feel like an amateur.
When I finally moved into a dedicated nail room with a real, professional desk, my whole mindset changed. Suddenly, I could leave my setup ready for the next day. I had drawers for my files and bits, and a door I could actually close. That physical separation between “school life” and “work life” is huge. If you’re still working at a kitchen table, keep pushing! That first real desk is a milestone that makes you feel like the CEO you actually are.
Setting Boundaries
This is where it gets lonely. To build a business, you have to learn to say “no.” There were so many Friday nights where my friends were going to football games or dances, and I had to stay home because I had a 7 PM client.
I had to tell my friends, “I love you guys, but this is my job now.” It’s hard to feel like you’re missing out on the high school experience, but you have to remember why. You’re building a future while everyone else is just killing time. The friends who truly support you will understand when you can’t hang out because your books are full.
Dealing with the Burnout
There were nights when my hands were all night long because of how overworked I was and I still had a 5 page essay due by midnight. I’ve sat on my studio floor and cried more times than I can count.
My best advice for burnout? Listen to your body. If you are so stressed that you’re failing classes (which happened to me), it is okay to block off a week on your calendar to just be a student. You can’t pour from an empty cup, and you can’t do a perfect french tip if your brain is fried.
Being a student and entrepreneur is a marathon not a sprint. Take the breaks when you need them, keep your station clean, and remember that you’re doing something incredible. You’re not just a student. You’re a business owner.
