We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Martia Jones. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Martia below.

Alright, Martia thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Let’s go back in time to when you were an intern or apprentice – what’s an interesting story you can share from that stage of your career?

In 2015, I was a bright-eyed Medical Assistant student in Virginia Beach, convinced I was on the path to greatness — or at least a job with decent scrubs and a badge. My internship placement finally came in and, drumroll please… it was at a podiatrist’s office. Feet. All day. Every day.

Now, if you had asked me back then how I felt about it, I would’ve told you with no hesitation: I hated it. Not because the work wasn’t meaningful — it absolutely was — but because at 19, I was still learning who I was. Back then I thought, “Surely there’s something better for me than trimming toenails and talking about bunions.” Little did I know, life was quietly laughing at me.

Before that internship, I had already worked as a PCA — a Personal Care Aide — helping the elderly with daily living tasks. I didn’t know it then, but that job was planting seeds. I learned patience, compassion, how to communicate with the generation that refuses to text back, and how deeply dignity matters — especially when someone needs help with something as simple as their own self-care.

Fast-forward nearly a decade — new city, new mindset, and several career pivots later — I’m now in Houston, Texas, working and studying to complete my Medical Nail Technician certification, which I’ll finish in February 2026. And somewhere between building a business, rebranding my identity, and realizing my passion for nail care, I had what I call my U-turn moment.

It hit me one day — like a plot twist nobody saw coming — that everything I tried to run from was everything I was being prepared for. The podiatry internship I hated? That was training. The PCA experience with the elderly? That was purpose. The years perfecting nail art and becoming a licensed nail tech? That was passion.

Now, as the founder of The Nail Detective, I specialize in serving elderly clients, medically fragile clients, and individuals who need safe, ethical, and compassionate nail care. And suddenly, my entire story — from podiatry and personal care to nail artistry and medical training — makes perfect sense.

Looking back, I didn’t take wrong turns. I took purposeful detours.

Every job, every certification, every moment of frustration was grooming me (pun fully intended) for the work I do today.

So yes — what started as a Medical Assistant internship I had to survive has turned into a career I was meant for. And the best part?

I now get to do what I love — provide meaningful care — while still enjoying beautiful nails, purpose-driven work, and the privilege of serving a community often overlooked.

Turns out, sometimes the things we avoid are the things we were created for

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’m Martia Jones — also known as The Nail Detective. I’m a medically focused nail technician and a, licensed nail artist, wellness advocate, and founder of a remote nail care service dedicated to seniors, medically fragile clients, and members of the veteran community.

My entry into this industry began with beauty — creativity, nail art, and helping people feel confident. But over time, my work evolved into something deeper and more purposeful. I began noticing how many people couldn’t access basic nail care due to mobility limits, chronic conditions, or medical restrictions. And it became clear: the traditional salon model doesn’t serve everyone.

So I shifted my work. Today, my mission isn’t only about beautiful nails — it’s about accessible nail care, comfort, and dignity for those who can’t get to a salon.

Now, my focus is on mobile and remote senior care services, including individuals supported by the VA and veteran’s organizations. I provide safe, medically informed nail care directly in homes, senior living facilities, long-term care centers, and rehabilitation environments. Every appointment is customized, trauma-informed, and built around comfort — not rushing or judgment.

My services include:

Medical-grade manicures and pedicures

Nail and cuticle restoration

Thickened nail reduction

Fungus-aware and diabetic-safe nail care

Educational support for caregivers and facilities

On-site and remote consultations

I also create educational blogs, ebooks, and product lines designed to help both clients and other nail professionals understand safe nail care for aging and high-risk populations.

What sets me apart is the intention behind my work:
Where most salons focus solely on aesthetics, I focus on function, comfort, and long-term wellness — and yes, beauty comes with that too. Many of the individuals I serve haven’t received professional nail care in years. Not because they didn’t want it — but because accessibility wasn’t available.

I want potential clients, supporters, and readers to know, my work isn’t just about nails — it’s about restoring confidence, its a very unique difference to the nail community.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

When I first entered the nail industry, my focus was like most traditional nail technicians: creativity, beauty, and the joy of transforming hands and feet into something people were excited to show off. But then COVID happened — and suddenly, the entire beauty industry was labeled “non-essential.” Nail techs everywhere were forced to shut down, including me. I remember sitting there thinking, “Non-essential? Excuse me — have they seen a set of quarantine toes?”

But beyond the humor, it shook something real inside me. The shutdown exposed a truth the industry rarely talks about: there are levels to being a nail professional — and some levels allow you to keep working even when the world flips upside down. Medical nail technicians, especially those trained in advanced work or partnered with podiatrists or medical facilities, were considered essential. They could still serve clients who needed nail care for health reasons, not just cosmetic ones. That realization became my turning point.

During the pandemic, assisted living facilities, nursing homes, and veteran communities were among the hardest hit and most restricted. These spaces — filled with people I now serve — became some of the most inaccessible places because their residents were highly vulnerable. Yet these same residents weren’t exempt from nail conditions, mobility challenges, or issues like fungal infections, painful thickened nails, or ingrown toenails. It became clear: the people who needed care most often had the least access to it.

So I pivoted. Instead of staying in the traditional beauty lane, I decided to advance — into medical, wellness, and preventive nail care. I committed to additional training, education, and certification so I could become someone who wasn’t just polishing nails — but protecting health, preventing infections, and supporting vulnerable populations safely.

Becoming an advanced nail tech isn’t just about learning new techniques — it’s about stepping into a higher standard of sanitation, documentation, ethical care, and disease prevention. And honestly, in a post-pandemic world, that matters more than ever. We’re not just handling polish — we’re working with skin, circulatory concerns, immune-compromised clients, diabetics, and seniors whose bodies respond differently to even the smallest nick or infection.

Financially, it also just makes sense. Being trained at an advanced level gives you options. If another pandemic — or anything similar — ever happens again, I have the ability to continue working as an essential provider, whether independently or in a medical setting like a podiatry office. That kind of career security and flexibility isn’t just smart — it’s empowering.

So while COVID shut many things down, it opened a door for me — a clearer, more purposeful path. And today, my work isn’t just about nails; it’s about dignity, access, safety, and making sure wellness and beauty are available to everyone — especially those who can’t walk into a salon.

Putting training and knowledge aside, what else do you think really matters in terms of succeeding in your field?

Outside of training, the biggest key to success in my field is consistency. Yes, clients matter, and in the service industry we’re taught they’re always right — but as an entrepreneur, structure becomes just as important. Flexibility is great, but if clients can’t find you, can’t predict your hours, or never see you posting, they’ll assume you’re not available.

Having a team — whether that’s a life coach, content creator, marketing help, or a project manager — also makes a huge difference. You can’t do everything alone, and being realistic about what you can’t handle is part of growth.

At the end of the day, entrepreneurship is showing up for yourself the same way you would for a 9–5. You may not get “fired,” but inconsistency will absolutely cost you bookings. Sometimes the work doesn’t have to be perfect — it just has to be consistent. And with consistency, clients will always find you.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.naildetective.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenaildetective/
• Other: https://dot.cards/martiajones

Image Credits

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