How I got started…
If you told me a few years ago that I’d be doing nails and running a small business while still in high school, I wouldn’t have believed you. Something that started as a hobby has now become a whole career, one that I’m proud of and excited to keep growing.
I’m sharing my story for anyone dreaming about becoming a nail technician or any beginner nail artist who just needs a little motivation to keep going. The road isn’t always paved with glitter and top coat. It’s often messy, dusty, and exhausting. But if you have the passion, I promise it is worth it.
Where it all began
My love for nails started long before I ever thought about turning it into a business. I was 15 years old when I got my first polygel kit from Amazon. I started by watching countless YouTube videos, practicing on myself at my kitchen table. My first sets were terrible. They were thick, lumpy, and would lift, crack, or break off just after a few days. I didn’t understand the importance of the cuticle area or why my “apex” was non-existent. But despite the mess, it was something that I loved. I found the process of filing and shaping strangely therapeutic.
Leveling Up to Acrylics
By 16, I decided to try acrylics. I thought, “If I can do polygel, acrylic will be easy.” I was wrong. The liquid to powder ratio was my biggest enemy. My beads were either too wet and flooded my cuticles, or too dry and wouldn’t move. My sets didn’t even last a full week before popping off.
Still, I loved the creativity and the challenge. I practiced on my friends and family as much as I could. Eventually, I bought a mannequin hand to improve my technique. I also spent hours learning to use builder gel, and that’s when my mom became my primary muse. She let me have total creative freedom with her natural nails. I would practice my prep, techniques and my application on her all the time.
With every set, I got a little better. Smoother application, better retention, and a lot more confidence. My parents noticed my dedication and encouraged me to take my little hobby more seriously. That’s when we started researching nail schools in my state, and everything started to fall into place.
The Reality of Nail School
I attended Mountainland Technical College. The nail course lasted three months, though at the time, it felt like the longest three months of my life. My class was small, with just six students. While I initially worried about the small size, it ended up being an amazing way to build connections. We shared tips, venting about our mistakes, and cheering each other on.
The program taught me far more than I expected. I went in thinking I’d just be learning how to make pretty designs, but the curriculum was intense. We covered:
- Chemistry: Understanding how polymers and monomers create a chemical bond.
- Sanitation & Safety: The difference between cleaning, disinfecting, and sterilizing.
- Nail Anatomy: The most difficult part of my journey.
The Anatomy Hurdle
The hardest unit for me was anatomy. Memorizing the muscles, bones, and nerves in the hands and feet was super overwhelming. I struggled to remember the difference between certain things. I actually failed the anatomy test almost three times.
I felt so discouraged. I sat in my room after class and cried, doubting if I was cut out for this. “If I can’t even pass a written test, how am I going to run a business?” was a thought that was always in my head. But I pushed through. I made flashcards, watched biology videos, and studied for hours every day until I finally passed. After that, everything else seemed easier.
The State Board Exams
Once I completed my hours, I prepared for the state boards. This is the final test for every nail tech. I studied morning, afternoon, and night until the steps were engraved in my brain. I specifically remember, studying in the car right outside the testing center, crying to my mom because of how nervous and stressed I was. I took my test and not even an hour later I got emailed my results. I passed. That’s when I officially became a licensed nail technician. It was proof that all the late nights and dust-covered clothes were worth it.
High School vs. Business
Starting a small business while still in high school was one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do. I was lucky to have a lighter schedule during my senior year, but balancing classes, homework, clients, and my personal life took a monumental effort.
My booking schedule revolved around my school hours, which changed every day. There were times when I prioritized clients over homework. I would be under my desk in business law class, secretly replying to DMs and booking appointments. My grades started to slip, and I was failing most of my classes for a few months.
The Burnout
I never got enough sleep. I would go to school, take clients if I had any booked and then try to do homework. I was constantly stressed. My mind just wouldn’t hold any knowledge.
But as the school year went on, I started to find a rhythm. I learned to set boundaries, and knew when to say no to booking a client.
I graduated high school in May 2025 and instantly felt like a huge weight lifted off my shoulders. For the first time, I could focus on my business without worrying about school deadlines. Or at least, that’s what I thought.
The Clientele Struggle & Growth
As the summer went on, I realized that graduating didn’t automatically mean I’d be fully booked. I no longer had those high school connections where I could see people in the hallways and talk about my business. The word of mouth circle felt like it had shrunk.
There were slow months where I only had two or three clients total. I sat in my studio, looking at my organized glitters and clean brushes, wondering if I was good enough. I genuinely felt like giving up on my business and choosing a new career path. I felt invisible. I realized how competitive the nail industry is and I had to figure out why someone should choose me.
The Social Media Pivot
To get my name out there, I doubled down on Instagram. Most of my early clients were family members. I made business cards and handed them out at local stores, but the real growth happened online.
I started filming process videos. People didn’t just want to see the finished set, they wanted to see the transformation. I posted work with me videos, the process, and relatable memes.
Slowly, the followers started coming in. My friends would post my content on their stories, and their friends would follow me. Word of mouth finally caught fire. My calendar began to fill, and for the first time in a long time, I saw names on my schedule that I didn’t recognize. That was the best feeling in the world. Every client, every set, and every improvement helped me grow not only as a nail tech but also as an entrepreneur.
The Evolution of My Space
One of the biggest hurdles of starting at fifteen was finding a place to actually work. For a long time, my “salon” was just the kitchen table. I had to carry all my tools, lamps, and polishes out of my bedroom, set them up, and then pack everything back away before dinner time. It was exhausting. I remember the constant fear of getting a drop of polish on the floor and accidentally staining something. Working at a kitchen table wasn’t just uncomfortable for my back but it also limited how professional I felt.
Once I finally got my license, I knew I needed to treat my craft like the career it had become. I invested in a real, professional nail desk, one with proper drawers for my bits and files and moved everything into a dedicated room in our house. Transitioning into my own “nail room” changed my entire mindset.
But the growth hasn’t stopped there. As my clientele has expanded and my collection of charms, glitters, and polishes has outgrown the spare room, I’ve started my next big project. Moving the studio into the basement. This new space is going to be a total game changer. It’s a larger, more permanent environment where I can truly customize the aesthetic and create the ultimate experience for my clients. Seeing the transition from a crowded kitchen table to a full basement studio reminds me how far I’ve come. It’s a physical representation of all the hours I spent studying anatomy and practicing acrylic beads.
Lessons I’ve Learned Along The Way
1. Patience is a Virtue
You won’t have a fully booked schedule overnight. It takes time to build a solid, returning clientele. Stay focused on improving your craft, and the clients will follow.
2. Consistency Over Perfection
Even when things are slow, keep practicing. If you don’t have a client, use a mannequin hand. Focus on your prep work and application, it’s the foundation. If a set doesn’t last, don’t get discouraged. Text the client, ask for photos, and troubleshoot what went wrong.
3. Comparison is the Thief of Joy
It is so easy to look at popular nail techs on social media and feel like your work is garbage. Remember: you are seeing their highlight reel, not their first few years of struggle.
4. The Business Side Matters
Being a nail tech is 50% doing nails and 50% marketing, accounting, and customer service. Learn how to track your expenses.
5. Believe in Your Own Growth
Confidence doesn’t come from being perfect. It comes from showing up, learning, and improving every single day. Every mistake is just a lesson in disguise.
The Beauty of Starting Small
I know exactly how it feels to scroll through your feed and see amazing artists who seem to have it all figured out. You see girls your age with huge studios and fully booked calendars, and then you look at your one appointment for the week and feel like you’re failing. I’ve been there, I’ve sat in my room and wondered if I should just pick a different career path because I wasn’t “blowing up” fast enough.
It’s okay to be a “slow” artist: When I first started, I was so embarrassed by how long a full set took me. I’d be at my kitchen table for four hours. It’s okay if you aren’t a “one hour tech” yet. I’d rather you take your time and give that client a set that stays on for three weeks than rush through it and have them lifting two days after.
Don’t Let a Quiet Calendar Break Your Heart: There were months where my studio felt so empty. I’d have my products all organized and my brushes cleaned, just waiting for the phone to buzz. Those quiet moments are so hard, but they don’t mean you aren’t talented. Use that time to practice! Grab a practice hand and try that crazy design you’re scared of.
Keep Your “Why” Close: Whenever I felt like giving up, I’d remember that feeling of a client looking at her new set and just beaming. That’s why we do this. We’re not just painting nails, we’re giving people a little boost of confidence. If you have a passion for that, don’t let a slow month stop you. You’ve got this, and I’m rooting for you every step of the way!
Final thoughts
If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that you don’t have to have everything figured out to start, you just have to start. To any student thinking about becoming a nail tech: Go for it. It’s scary, it’s messy, and it takes an incredible amount of hard work, but it’s also one of the most rewarding things you can do. There is nothing quite like the feeling of a client looking at their hands and smiling because you made them feel beautiful.
If I can build a business while still in high school, you can too. The world needs your creativity!
Thank you for taking the time to read my story.