Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to CiTeara Wade and Kijuan Dent. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi CiTeara and Kijuan, thanks for joining us today. Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.
Kijuan: ” I began my journey into spirituality back in 2018. I remember seeing one of the main tarot cards, “The Tower”, on social media, and dreaming of it constantly. Which eventually inspired me to purchase my first tarot deck and learn everything I can about tarot. I began doing readings for everyone that would allow me, at my summer job in Southwest Detroit. I became amazed when people would report back the accuracy of the readings after they had unfolded. I also gained a ton of insight into my own journey by being able to connect with the spirits around me. All of this only moved me to want to learn more about Metaphysical Sciences which included, but not limited to, Astrology!
“In order to speed up my process, I would’ve purchased more books so I could have all my information from.a reliable source I can learn from. The internet can be polluted with misinformation and fearmongering that stifled me from time to time. But I leaned on my journey and repeatedly through the use of tarot that you must trust your intuition.”
CiTeara: During COVID and we were in lockdown, meaning nail shops were closed, I found myself wanting to learn how to do my nails. I was already inspired by different nail artists I would see on YouTube and social media platforms, but not being able to go to a shop and get my nails done anymore really pushed me into my passion. Also, whenever I would go get my nails done they would never do it like I asked or not know how to do certain designs. So I took these thoughts I had and bought a nail kit from Amazon and got to work. I watched countless tutorial after tutorial and took my time with learning. I had bought a practice hand so I could learn how it was to do someone else’s, but I was my own hand model at that time. I tried different brands and different methods of applying acrylic at first. I soon realized that watching a tutorial and copying what the person did was harder than I thought. I had to find my way of doing it. So I started creating my methods with designing, filing the nails, and applying acrylic. Which worked out pretty well for me. I honestly don’t think there is a quicker or easier process than what I went through to learn my craft of doing acrylic nails. I think taking it step by step and start by watching tutorials is a great beginning. I think what makes my nails so unique is my process and how I learned to do nails.
The most essential skills are staying ambitious and creative. Creating a nail set is more complex than you might think, with knowing the proper techniques of doing nails it takes a lot of trial and error. It will be nail sets that don’t come out right and it can be discouraging, I’ve had times where I wanted to completely stop. But by preserving and correcting my mistakes by taking a step back and looking at what I’m trying to do, I can achieve anything I want to create. I try to stay consistent and always want to do better at a design or at shaping for example each time I do a set. I want to be better than before is what I think about when I do nails. Then being creative is another thing that is essential as a nail artist. It can be easy to fall into nail trends and what everyone else is doing, but staying true to what you want to create regardless if it’s “trendy” or not is important. Being able to be creative in my nail sets pushes me to want to keep creating. If I only do what others thought is cute or looks nice then I would be unhappy with the nails and the passion entirely.
Some obstacles that stood in my way of learning more have just been time and resources. Nail supplies are expensive and by being part of Fresh Sets & Mindsets which is a small business, it is hard to continue learning. Funding nail supplies by myself has been a big obstacle lately. I am also a full-time college student as well, so figuring out how to balance being a small business owner and school has been a struggle. But doing nails is a passion I have and it’s something that I will continue to learn and grow in.
CiTeara and Kijuan, 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?
Fresh Sets and Mindsets is a collaboration between Kijuan and CiTeara. With both of their skills in nail art and spirituality/life coaching, they plan to make clients feel beautiful inside and out. With just starting the business in January 2023, they have been able to share their skills with multiple clients. With giving a fresh nail set and a fresh mindset when they leave from their appointment. They offer a beauty service and a mental refresher, because who wouldn’t want to know how to solve inner issues and also leave with a new nail look?
Kijuan: I am a Spiritual advisor, life coach, tarot reader, and Creative. Online, I’m known as “Kalu Tabari” but Tabari for short. I love to create inspirational videos on my personal Instagram and TikTok pages. Along with helping grow F.S.A.M, I’m currently pursuing a Masters degree in Psychology. I believe what sets me apart is that I allow people to create their own connection to Spirituality without shaming anyone for their personal beliefs, and combine spiritual teachings with Psychology in order to bring people to the best version of themselves. I am most proud of using my voice to create positive change globally through social media and F.S.A.M. I’ve been reading tarot since 2018 and practicing on myself and friends and over time, using a multitude of different decks that he obtained online and at local metaphysical shops. Over time, I began to expand my skills and capabilities with tarot, alongside my knowledge of Metaphysical science.
CiTeara: I am a nail artist, I do my own nails and others’ nails as well. By using my creativity and prior skills from painting and drawing, I started doing nails and treating nails as my canvas. I make others feel confident and beautiful by creating art on their nails. By doing simple or very intricate designs, I make my clients feel their best by having a fresh set. Together with Kijuan’s skills of tarot reading, and life coaching, we intend to empower our clients by making them feel beautiful inside and out. I am most proud of taking my nail art seriously and giving myself a chance. At first, I was not focused on creating a brand, I just wanted to do my nails. But people kept telling me to “start a business, start doing other’s nails, make money off my work” etc. It took a lot of courage and support from friends/family for me to take my work seriously and give myself a chance. So I am proud that I can share my passion, and my art, and have the opportunity to make others feel great about themselves and that they are amazing. I believe that Fresh Sets & Mindsets is a brand where we form real bonds with our clients and want the best for them. I want our clients to feel refreshed and ready to do whatever they desire.
Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.
CiTeara: I think non-creatives fail to realize the instability of being in the creative field. Especially since I created a brand off of my creativity it is hard to keep going and not settle for a regular 9-5 lifestyle. Fresh Sets and Mindsets is a small business that is based on my creative skills of doing nails. If I don’t create work that others like then it can become extremely difficult to succeed. I think people who don’t have to be creative and don’t know what it’s like to brainstorm ideas and put together concepts might think it’s easy. But It’s the complete opposite and it’s very hard to be original and keep creating. With my whole business being held up by my ability to create can be stressful. But it is something that should be considered by non-creatives, it is the reality of what others might think is an easy skill.
Kijuan:I believe that non-creatives won’t understand how much faith you need in your vision in order to make your creative endeavors a success. My path has not been linear. I’m always tweaking things and trying new things! Tarot is a very niche field, therefore I have to keep discovering ways to creatively market to an audience where some may not understand metaphysics at all. I would like people to know that being creative is simultaneously being a Visionary. More than half of my personally created tarot deck, Tabari Tarot, is inspired by dreams that I have had, as well as the positive and negative experiences I’ve had throughout my life. I would like other creatives to know that it’s okay to have doubt and to have fear. Having emotions towards what you’re doing at all, just means that you care. Your passion is your baby, and you want the best for it as you nurture it.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
CiTeara: My goal that is driving this creative journey I am on is to put myself and my passions out there in the world and to leave an effect on others in a positive way. I think art in any form is important to humans and it’s needed in the world. I do nails as my medium and I create art on them to make others feel amazing about themselves. That’s a feeling I can never get enough of knowing I helped someone feel good about themselves and I was able to create that for someone. It’s such an accomplishment to leave a mark on people in a positive way in this day and time. So by simply doing my client’s nails, I can make a small change in this big world by sharing my gifts of art.
Kijuan: Honestly, I just wanna see people well. I want people to see the divine energy that runs through them. Tarot and astrology, and the guidance that I give other people from my own journey, is only to help their journey.
I love to see other people thriving and living in their Godly- energy. I’ve seen a lot of women that have come to our business leave feeling so peaceful and reassured and that’s what I aspire to do in all my endeavors.
A lot of people are extremely disconnected spiritually. It’s very concerning to me because we are spiritual beings and humans at the same time. Connecting with our spiritual nature will ultimately make our human experience better. We are here on a spiritual journey, and I know that I have a lot of personal struggles with mine, and to see others struggling I feel like it is my mission to do what I can with my resources to best assist them.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://freshsetsandmindsets.as.me/schedule.php
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freshsetsandmindsets/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/citeara-wade-215581235/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@KaluTabari
- Other: personal instagram: https://www.instagram.com/citearamadisonnn/ https://www.instagram.com/tabarisgarden/