Bright fluorescent lights, mystery fees, added taxes, harsh handling. Getting your nails done can be an awkward and expensive affair, but what if you could get a quality set from a fellow student? Easy contacting, casual conversation, and flexible scheduling are just a few of the perks that student run nail businesses have to offer.
For Junior Londyn Norman, talking with clients is her favorite part. These nail artists are driven by their customers’ satisfaction, something that can’t always be found at a commercial salon. “My favorite part of doing nails is getting to see the look on my clients faces when I do their nails, and they’re satisfied with what I’ve done, and I’m proud of myself, and the compliments that my clients and I get,” said Junior Kelly Mcquillan, who has been doing nails since October. McQuillan started doing nails to earn and save money, learn how to talk to new people, and explore a new branch of her artistic abilities.
Not only are nail businesses beneficial for those who receive the service, they provide numerous opportunities for the artists to grow as well. Londyn currently has around ten consistent customers and has had to learn to manage her time, supplies, and funds. “It’s about budgeting,” said Norman, “I need to make sure I can get new polish, new charms. I had to save up for a while to get a dust collector, but I needed other tools so I had to set it aside.” Norman has a designated station in her house equipped with all the necessary equipment maintained for her clients.
Staying organized is crucial for business affairs, a lifelong skill these students are mastering early. “I think that having my own business helps me manage my time so that I can fit in people’s appointments,” said Junior Amelia Snarski. Scheduling appointments to fit around their own commitments along with conveniency for clients gets these students used to the flow of future business affairs.
Each student has a different takeaway. McQuillan has learned a plethora of skills through doing nails that set her up for success, “My business has taught me how to learn how to be more professional, learn how to talk to customers, and it’s giving me a new area to be creative in.”
Pricing is another factor that differentiates MHS nail artists from other salons. All three artists start with a base price and differ based on time, intricacy, and supplies needed for the requested design. “I determine pricing by the difficulty of the design that a client sends me, and I start with a base price for the products that I use and the time that I’m giving up, and then I add on based on the difficulty of the design,” said McQuillan. With these nail artists, it’s clear where each charge comes from.
Whether it’s for a special event, for your routine touch up, or for trying out a new look, there are plenty of students to go to for a fresh set at MHS. The nail artists featured in this piece can be found on instagram: @ameliasnarksinails, @londyns_nailz, and @nails_.by_kelly.
