We were lucky to catch up with Halie Gary recently and have shared our conversation below.

Halie, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Have you been able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen? Was it like that from day one? If not, what were some of the major steps and milestones and do you think you could have sped up the process somehow knowing what you know now?

Currently, I work full-time in a creative role at the College for Creative Studies in Detroit. Alongside that, I run my own handmade press-on nail business, Boum Boom, which I’m actively growing. While it’s not yet my full-time focus, I’m passionate about continuing to expand it. I’m especially grateful that my role keeps me immersed in a creative environment, surrounded by incredibly talented students who continuously inspire my work.

I actually started my business while I was in graduate school at DePaul University, where I was earning my MA in Animation. At the time, it was a great creative outlet and side hustle while I focused on my goals in the entertainment industry. Nail artistry, specifically press-ons, became a newer focus for me around May 2025. I taught myself the process with guidance from a mentor, and it quickly grew into a key part of my creative identity, especially on social media.

I never would have expected nail artistry to become the space where I carved out my own lane creatively, so in that sense, it wasn’t something I could have planned or sped up. I really believe I’ve been growing at the pace I was meant to, and each stage has helped shape my direction.

Some major milestones for me have been the recent growth in engagement and viewership across my social media platforms. I’ve been pushing myself to experiment more and expand my designs, and that’s helped me build a supportive community of fellow artists and creatives, which has been incredibly rewarding.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Hello Readers! My name is Halie Gary and I’m a Detroit-born creative and the founder of Boum Boom, a handmade press-on nail brand rooted in artistry, self-expression, and storytelling. My background is actually in digital art and animation—I earned my MA in Animation from DePaul University and have always been passionate about visual storytelling and character design.

Nail artistry wasn’t my original path, but it became a natural extension of my creative voice. I started exploring handmade press-on nails in 2025, teaching myself the process with guidance from a mentor. What began as curiosity quickly evolved into something much bigger—it became a new medium for me to express character-inspired designs, bold aesthetics, and detailed, wearable art. Over time, it also became a core part of my identity on social media and a growing business.

Through Boum Boom, I create custom and ready-to-wear press-on nails, as well as expanding into lifestyle products like clothing. My work is heavily inspired by character design, pop culture, and digital illustration, which allows me to bring a unique, artistic perspective into a space that often leans more traditional. Each set is designed to feel intentional, expressive, and personal—like a small piece of art you can wear.

One of the problems I aim to solve for my clients is accessibility to high-quality, artistic nails without the time commitment or limitations of a salon appointment. Press-ons allow for flexibility, reusability, and customization, giving people the freedom to switch up their look while still wearing something that feels unique to them. I also create with the intention of helping people feel confident and seen—especially those who are drawn to bold, creative, or character-driven aesthetics that aren’t always widely represented.

What sets me apart is my foundation in digital art and storytelling. I don’t just see nails as beauty products—I see them as tiny canvases. My designs often pull from the same mindset I use when creating characters or visual concepts, which allows me to approach nail artistry in a more illustrative and narrative-driven way. That crossover between industries has really helped me carve out my own lane.

I’m most proud of how organically this journey has unfolded. I didn’t set out expecting nail artistry to become such a defining part of my creative path, but it’s grown into something incredibly meaningful. Building a community of fellow creatives and supporters online, and seeing people connect with my work, has been one of the most rewarding parts of the experience.

For anyone discovering my brand, I want them to know that Boum Boom is about more than just nails—it’s about creativity without limits. It’s about exploring different forms of self-expression, taking risks artistically, and embracing the unexpected directions your creativity can take you. I’m still growing, still experimenting, and still pushing myself to evolve, and I’m excited to continue bringing people along on that journey.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

For me, the most rewarding aspect of being a creative is the ability to figure things out and adapt across different mediums. While we’re often taught certain techniques and guidelines, creativity really comes from pushing beyond those boundaries and finding your own voice.

I take a lot of pride in being able to experiment without the pressure of perfection. I’ve learned to embrace the process—trying new things, making mistakes, and growing through that exploration. Working in a creative field has also taught me what it truly means to strive for a level of excellence that’s personal and self-defined.

That freedom—to explore, evolve, and create something that feels uniquely mine—is what makes being an artist so fulfilling.

How did you build your audience on social media?

I’ve actually had my social media platforms for years, but they’ve only recently started gaining real traction. Over time, I’ve taken social media classes and done a lot of research on how different algorithms work. While that knowledge definitely helped, I realized it only goes so far.

The biggest factor in building my audience has been consistency. When I started focusing on my nail journey, I paid close attention to the type of content people were engaging with the most, and I made an effort to recreate and build on those ideas in my own way. I post daily and also create content in advance so I can stay consistent without burning out.

For anyone just starting out, my biggest advice would be to stay consistent and patient. Growth doesn’t happen overnight, but if you continue to show up, experiment, and engage with your audience, you’ll start to build a community. And once that momentum begins, it becomes much easier to maintain and grow.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.boumsroom.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/boumsroom/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Boum-Boom/61561618655330/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/boum-boom/
• Other: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@haliegart?lang=en

Image Credits

A special shoutout to my nail ambassadors—Damaris Shamberger, and Sarah Tombelli, —with extra thanks to Celena Deng and my mother for the fashion shots, and finally my nail mentor Darlene!