Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jurnee Shields. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Jurnee , appreciate you joining us today. Let’s start with a story that highlights an important way in which your brand diverges from the industry standard.

I similar story I hear when people start getting their nails done is the lack of care and education people get.
They are telling me they have had nail techs that cut them, don’t know how to do art, are putting dangerous products on their nails, rushing the process and also not telling their customer what they are putting on them. Absolutely blows my mind. My goal is to have everyone that comes to me know what I’m putting on their nails, how to take care of their nails, and to be listened to and respected.
And also making them have beautiful art on their nails is an honor.

Jurnee , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I used to use toothpicks and Q tips and do my own crazy nails in middle school but I never had any idea that you could do this for your career!!
I was discouraged by my parents and others that I wouldn’t make money and it’s not a good career.
But I told myself that people always have something to say no matter what. Might as well prove them wrong. I went to school part time while working at Ulta and I graduated right as we shut down for Covid. But I have worked so hard to build my business from the ground up in such a scary unknown time.
But here I am doing what I love with the best hours and the best clients.

How did you build your audience on social media?

Social media is so hard. But honestly just start!!
I started challenging myself to do 31 days of Halloween nails, and I posted every single day and it was scary to post things that weren’t perfect or aesthetic. But I did it and it got easier and I gave myself grace. Keep posting, don’t give up on yourself.
The clients that are meant to find you will.
Be consistent, find your niche and ask others for help if you need it.

What else should we know about how you took your side hustle and scaled it up into what it is today?

I started part time doing nails and the other worked at 2 dentist offices, I cleaned houses, worked at Ulta. For nails on the weekends I worked 12 hours and on weekdays I would work 5-10pm to fit clients in. I wasn’t making enough money to pay for my booth rent.
One day I told myself that I wanted to go full time, I found a salon (Nail Expressions) and Melinda welcomed me with open arms. Taught me so much that I finally quit my part time jobs and went full time. Took about 3 months and I was booked! I came in everyday and did my nails or practiced and posted what I practiced. I posted on all my accounts on everything, I told everyone I met that I did nails and gave my card out to everyone.
It’s hard work building a business from scratch. It’s so worth it.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: Thejurneetobeauty
• Other: TikTok- Thejurneetobeauty