We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Hala Elkliai. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Hala below.
Hala , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – walk us through the story?
A Journey of Risk and Reward: From Italy to Old Town Alexandria
At the age of 16, I moved from Bergamo, Italy, to the United States in pursuit of a better future. With no clear path ahead, I spent the next few years working various jobs to support myself. By 19, I discovered a passion for the beauty industry—an industry where I could express creativity while making others feel confident and cared for.
At 21, I made the life-changing decision to open my first business, EKYAS Beauty, a boutique lash and brow studio located in the heart of Old Town Alexandria, Virginia. I started in a small room, relying solely on the quality of my work and word-of-mouth to build my clientele. The response exceeded my expectations, and as demand continued to grow, I expanded the business into a larger space.
Inspired by this momentum, I brought in one nail technician to test the possibility of offering nail services. She quickly became fully booked, revealing a clear demand in the market. At 23, I took another calculated risk and opened my second business: Asil NailCare, a modern, non-toxic nail salon, also located in Old Town Alexandria.
Both ventures were founded on risk, resilience, and an unwavering belief in my vision. Today, I am proud to operate two successful beauty salons that prioritize quality, wellness, and exceptional client care.
Hala , 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?
My name is Hala, I’m 23 years old, and I’m the founder of EKYAS Beauty and Asil NailCare, two beauty salons located in the heart of Old Town Alexandria, Virginia. I’m originally from Morocco,born and raised in Italy. At 16, I moved to the United States on my own, driven by ambition and a vision for something greater. After working various jobs to support myself, I found my passion in the beauty industry at 19—and that passion quickly turned into purpose.
At 21, I opened EKYAS Beauty, offering lash extensions, lash lifts, brow services, and permanent makeup. My dedication to quality and client care helped the business grow rapidly. Two years later, I launched Asil NailCare, a non-toxic nail salon focused on clean beauty, wellness, and nail health.
What sets my work apart is not only the high standards we uphold but the atmosphere we create. Every appointment is like a therapy session—clients leave not just looking beautiful, but feeling lighter and more confident. My goal has always been to build a space where people feel at home, supported by positive energy and genuine care.
I’m most proud of the community I’ve built and the trust my clients have in me. For those discovering my work, I want them to know that everything I do is driven by heart, purpose, and a commitment to helping others feel their absolute best.
Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?
Building my audience on social media was a gradual and organic process. When I first started EKYAS Beauty, I didn’t have a big marketing budget or professional content—I just had my phone, my work, and a deep passion for what I was doing. I consistently posted before-and-after photos of my lash and brow services, shared client feedback, and gave a behind-the-scenes look into my day-to-day. I made sure every post reflected my aesthetic: clean, elegant, and professional.
What really helped me grow was being authentic. I connected with my audience by showing the person behind the business—my story, my journey, and my love for what I do. Clients started reposting their experiences, and that word-of-mouth online helped build real trust. Over time, that trust turned into bookings, and those bookings turned into loyal clients and followers.
My biggest advice for anyone just starting out: stay consistent, be real, and focus on quality. You don’t need to go viral—you need to build connection. Show your work, show your process, and don’t be afraid to let your personality shine through. Social media is your digital storefront, so treat it with care, but don’t overthink it. Passion and effort always come through.
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
One of the biggest lessons I had to unlearn was the belief that I had to do everything alone to succeed.
Growing up and moving to a new country at 16 taught me to be independent and self-reliant. When I started EKYAS Beauty at 21, I carried that same mindset into business. I wanted full control over every detail—from appointments and marketing to cleaning and customer service. I believed that asking for help was a sign of weakness, or that no one could meet my standards.
But as the business grew, so did the pressure. I was working non-stop, burning out, and still feeling like it wasn’t enough. It wasn’t until I brought on my first nail technician and saw how she thrived—and how clients responded so well to her—that I realized something important: growth requires trust. Delegating isn’t losing control—it’s creating space for your business to expand.
Now, I value teamwork and understand the power of surrounding myself with people who share my vision. Letting go was hard, but it was the only way forward. And it’s a lesson that transformed not just how I run my businesses, but how I lead.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.fresha.com/a/ekyas-beauty-alexandria-105-n-washington-street-vn89val3?pId=981257
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ekyas.beauty_?igsh=amJwYngwMGU1Y285
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/asil.nailcare?igsh=anFiN2toY2thZWIy
https://www.instagram.com/_halaelk?igsh=bXpjeHlxYWsyYmM5
Image Credits
Hala Elkliai
Ekyas Beauty
Asil Nail Care