We were lucky to catch up with Semantha Richards recently and have shared our conversation below.

Semantha, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Let’s talk about social media – do you manage your own or do you have someone or a company that handles it for you? Why did you make the choice you did?

I manage my own social media platforms because I feel that I can connect with my supporters more and be more of myself. I made this choice so I could have my own say in what I want to post or discuss on my platforms. Some things I’ve learned from managing my own social media is be yourself always and never try to change who you are for anyone who does not support you. I’ve also learned that even if you are not seeing much of a growth or difference in your page/following don’t let that discourage from doing what you love. Always do what you are comfortable with and never change the narrative of your business because of someone’s opinion. Even if you decide you want someone else or a team to manage your page always communicate with them how you want certain things on your pages to be and make sure to interact with your supporters.

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?

My name is Semantha! It is pronounced see-man-tha. I am the ceo of The Nail Code Inc located in Mount Vernon, NY. I started doing nails when I was 13 years old and I am now 16 years old. I am a senior in high school. My services that I provide are acrylic nails, gels nails, manicures, and male manicures. I am also a content creator. When I first started doing nails I never believed that I would be offering services for other people. It was just supposed to be hobby and something that I do for my 8th grade graduation but I decided that if I can make myself smile while doing nails then I would love for other people to smile at their nails when they came to me. I first started practicing nails on a mannequin hand that I got off of amazon. I bought all of my nail supplies on amazon and I just started practicing every single day until I felt like I was ready to make a business account and a website for people to book with me. It was such a scary feeling to start putting myself out there and tell people I do nails. I have never been a social person I have always been known as the “shy kid” who does not talk as much. I decided that I had to put that aside and let people know that I do nails and I am looking for models to do these designs on. I made my business account on February 14th, 2021 and at first no one was booking with me they would just follow my account and like any nails that I post. My dad started letting me do nails at his house and his friends would come over and let me do their nails. It was not always a great experience because sometimes I would have no shows or people who would just cancel on me with no explanation but I never gave up. I started to realize that I needed to start perfecting my acrylic application and gel application instead of worrying about the designs on the nails. I would be doing nails all day on myself, my sisters, my mom or even my dad let me do his manicures. My older sister and mom decided to buy me more expensive equipment and acrylics powder because they were better quality. It definitely helped with doing nails and helping see a difference in every set I do. During my 10th grade year of high school I switched schools and I decided it was time I start putting myself out there more so I told people I did nails when I was at school or even on my instagram page. I started to gain more clientele and see an improvement in my nail sets that I did. Having a business can be a blessing and a challenge because you have to be mentally prepared for the things that come with being a business owner. It’ is about how you want people to see you when they walk into your shop and sit down and get a service with you. I always want to provide a safe space for my clients where we can just chitchat while you get your nails done. Being a business owner has given me a responsibility that 10 year old me would have never imagined I would have. I do not have as much clientele I want but Im grateful for everyone who has booked with me, reposted my work, followed me, complimented me or even told a friend about my nail business. My nail business has been a blessing in my life because I am able to do what I love and share that with the people that sit in my chair and get their nails done. I’ve also learned that not everyone’s money is good money you have learn when to say no to someone who is trying to take advantage of you. It takes a lot of strength, consistency, patience and dedication to be a entrepreneur.

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

My most effective strategy for growing my clientele was posting about my nail business on every social media platform such as instagram or tiktok. I even have a youtube channel and I’ve talked about my nail business any chance I gotten. Posting on instagram was the best way that I let people know that I do nails and that I offer that as a service. I made a website where people could book with me more professionally because at first I would always do “DM to book” but that was not the most effective way to put myself out there. When I made a website I seen my clientele grew more because people seen that I had a website and that I was taking my bookings more seriously. I would also always tell people I did nails if they asked about my nails or even if people just called my nails pretty. I would always say thank you so much I actually do them myself and then we could exchange socials. Just constantly putting yourself out there any chance you get can help grow your clientele.

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 lesson I had to unlearn was not all money is good money. Sometimes you have to decline a certain type of client for your own good and sense of peace. I’ve had one client that I would take because they were considered “family”. They would always say I’m coming to support you and I am going to book with you. The person did end up being a model for a set and I did the set exactly how the nail set was. They ended up saying that they did not like the set and that they would never pay this amount of money just for the set to come out like this. This person sent me a message saying these type of things about the set even though while the nail appointment I asked the person if the set was good and if they loved the set. They did say the loved the set and would be coming back. When I got the message I was highly upset but I decided I would just not answer for my peace. I never took them as a client again. This showed me that not everybody you consider family will support you how you want them to and that not all money you need to accept.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://thenailcodeinc.as.me/schedule.php
• Nail page: @thenailcode.inc personal page: @pyt.manthaa
• Youtube: @ItsJustManthaa
• Other: Tiktok: @itsjustmanthaaa