We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Rashounae Paulk a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Rashounae , appreciate you joining us today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – walk us through the story?

My entire entrepreneurial journey has been built on risk, but the most defining one was my decision to relocate to Charlotte, North Carolina, at 23.

At the time, I was living in Savannah, Georgia, a city that played a significant role in my early growth. However, as my skills advanced and my work evolved, I began to feel a clear sense that I had outgrown my environment. The level of artistry and quality I was offering required a market that not only appreciated it, but was also willing to invest in it. I knew I had more to give, but I needed to be in a space that could support that next level.

At the same time, I recognized the season of life I was in. I was young, single, and without major responsibilities. I saw that as an opportunity to take a bold step, to explore beyond what I was familiar with, and to fully pursue the vision I had for myself and my brand.

When I moved to Charlotte, I didn’t have a safety net, clientele, or a guaranteed outcome, just a vision, faith, and a willingness to bet on myself. I had to rebuild from the ground up, my network, my brand presence, and my stability, all while navigating unfamiliar territory.

There were moments of uncertainty, of course. But I’ve always believed that growth doesn’t happen in comfort, and I knew that staying where I was would have limited the life I was trying to create.

That one decision changed everything for me.

In less than five years, I turned that leap of faith into tangible success. I opened a thriving clothing boutique and launched my own salon suites, both of which have become powerful extensions of my brand. I secured brand partnerships with major companies like Simon Property Group and NASCAR, expanded my influence, and had the opportunity to work with numerous high profile and celebrity clients.

Looking back, what felt like a risk was really alignment. It forced me to trust my vision, sharpen my discipline, and fully step into the woman I was becoming. That move didn’t just change my location, it elevated my mindset, my business, and my entire trajectory.

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

I’m Rashounae Paulk, a serial entrepreneur, licensed nail technician, licensed educator, and creative director based in Charlotte, North Carolina. I entered the beauty industry at 17 while in high school, working in a busy nail salon where I quickly discovered a passion for both the artistry and the business behind it. What started as doing nails grew into my brand, “Nails by Nae,” which opened the door to multiple income streams and new opportunities.

Over the years, I’ve expanded into several businesses, including my salon suites, Pure Opulence Beauty Studios, and my women’s clothing boutique, Pure Opulence Vault. Across my brands, I offer luxury nail services, nail education, business mentorship, and fashion pieces designed to elevate women’s confidence.

What sets me apart is that I focus not only on talent, but also on strategy, scalability, and longevity. I’ve built multiple income streams through products, classes, digital content, and physical spaces, while helping others avoid mistakes and grow with real guidance.

I’m most proud of being able to share the knowledge I’ve gained, building a brand that reaches people globally, and having clients and students travel from all over to learn from me. It reminds me that consistency and faith can truly take you anywhere.

My brand is about elevation in every sense, financially, mentally, and personally. Everything I create reflects growth, balance, and evolving into your next level.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

A lesson I had to unlearn was thinking that I didn’t need help. For most of my career, I believed I could handle everything on my own, especially because I’m very particular about how things get done. But in 2020, after being shouted out on The Shade Room, I experienced a sudden influx of over 500 orders. I tried to take it all on by myself, and it ultimately led to me being hospitalized due to anxiety and extreme burnout.

That moment forced me to shift my mindset. I had no choice but to bring in help, and it taught me that delegating isn’t a weakness, it’s necessary for growth. Now I understand that in order for my business to run smoothly and scale, I need a team.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

The most effective strategy for growing my clientele has been a combination of consistency, visibility, and delivering an experience not just a service. I’ve always been intentional about showing up online, especially through social media, by posting quality content that showcases my work, my personality, and my lifestyle. That’s what turns viewers into clients.

Another major factor has been word-of-mouth. When you provide a luxury, memorable experience, people naturally talk and refer others. I focus heavily on client experience, from the environment to professionalism so every client feels like they’re getting more than just a service.

Lastly, I’ve been strategic about creating multiple entry points into my brand, whether that’s services, products, or classes. That allows me to reach people at different levels, which continues to expand my audience and clientele organically.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://nailsbynae.com
• Instagram: nailsbynae_
• Facebook: Nae Paulk
• Youtube: R.NaeTV
• Other: TikTok: R.NaeTV

Image Credits

@goliathworldwide