I always loved doing nails but never considered making a career out of it. I was always told it “wasn’t a real career” or “I could do so much more with my life” by the ones I love most. Of course, this heavily influenced my decisions. Let’s go back to life before nails. 

 Let me formally introduce myself. My name is Keila – don’t rack your brain trying to pronounce it. It’s pronounced “Kayla” and it’s actually part of my business name. So what was I doing before nails? I started going to college in high school as a dual enrollment student. I was getting all my prerequisites to be able to get into the nursing program at my local college. Immediately upon graduating, I knew nursing school would not be feasible with my current circumstances. I had no car and working multiple jobs. The moment I graduated with my AA degree, I knew I wanted to change career paths.  

 I’ve always been business-minded and hard-working. Regardless, I had a job or two. I was always looking for side hustles. From selling paper spinners and rainbow loom bracelets to offering resume and marketing services. I have tried to monetize every hobby or ability of mine since I was in elementary school. None of those things were really my passion, so I kept digging deeper. I have always loved doing nails and did my own for years. Keeping that in mind, I started my Bachelor’s Degree in business in Fall of 2020.  

I have worked since I was 16 years old (since 2017) so throughout my whole educational career, I held a job. When I was 18, I was making pretty good money and started paying to get my nails done and treat myself. I stayed pretty consistent with who I would go to for my nails because I am VERY picky, and it shows in pretty much everything I do. A few of the nail techs I saw in the 2 years I would get them done encouraged me to get my license and start a business. I was very hesitant about it.  

 When I was 20, I was working full time at a flooring company and a full-time college student getting ready to graduate. I also had no idea what I wanted to do with my life. I need constant stimulation and to feel like I am growing and learning to feel motivated to stay in one place for so long. At this point, I had been at the same job for almost 2 years and I was feeling stagnant. I had to make a move and create an exit plan. I brainstormed all things I loved to do and what I could monetize and be consistent with. Then it dawned on me – NAILS! 

 I decided that I would go against the advice of my loved ones and just go for it. I would leave a high paying job to make a living off of my own talents. What could possibly go wrong? Obviously, many things I did not anticipate. But I had a plan. One thing about me, when I decide I want to do something, I figure out a way to do it. I was going to save enough money to pay my bills for a year, get my nail license, and be highly successful. This was the “plan’. 3 steps. Little did I know, planning for a move this big was much more complex. But I did it. I got my nail license, quit my job, and set out to start my nail career while finishing up my degree.  

I quit my job before even getting licensed. I quit my job in July of 2022 at 20 years old and got my nail license in October of 2022. The race was on to start gaining traction and building my clientele. I did not have space in my house to do nails so I opted to travel to complete strangers’ homes and do nails that way. I used to take 3-4 hours for a full set of acrylics with just 1 color and charged about $30 per set at first. I was 20 years old, about to be 21. No discipline, no business plan. Just an idea and excitement.