We were lucky to catch up with Destiny Tatum recently and have shared our conversation below.

Destiny , appreciate you joining us today. Looking back, do you think you started your business at the right time? Do you wish you had started sooner or later

I feel like I started my business at just the right time, especially where I was in life. I was always looking for something that I‘d love to do everyday and that would make me and my clientele happy. I started my business when I was 22 years old, I worked on my nails as much as I possibly could until I built the clientele that I have today. Going through Covid and not being able to work in a shop was upsetting at the time, but I see now that it was to prepare me for what was to come. If I started sooner, I definitely would be ahead compared to where I am now. Honestly everything happened at the right time and I’m so grateful to have the talent that I do have.

Destiny , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I got into the nail industry because I was already getting my nails done consistently at a shop. One day, I was talking to the woman that did my nails at the time and she suggested a school in the area and actually gave me my first nail brush. That started everything. I went to buy my own products and started doing my nails as much as I could to practice, but it was something I was missing. After finding a cosmetology school in Dayton, Ohio I was ecstatic to have a place where I felt like I was going to learn everything. I figured out what I was missing and everything else came with ease. I provide acrylic, gel and manicure services and soon will be providing pedicure services as well. My signature services are my freestyle full sets and my client pick this service when they don’t know exactly what they want. They give me full creative freedom, but I do make sure I ask what color and shape they want. This gives my clients a break from trying to find the perfect nail set. What sets me apart from other nail techs is my professionalism and consistency. I’ve worked in customer service before becoming a nail tech, which taught me how to talk to people in a professional manner. I’ve also always been a listener so some clients need their appointments to be like therapy sessions. I’ve created friendships with my clients and so many people trust me to just listen and give some type of non biased opinion. I’m blessed to have had people coming to me since I’ve started almost 6 years ago. I’m most proud of the consistent clientele I’ve been able to keep up with. Some clients I seen every three weeks, some I see once or twice a year for special occasions but I treat everyone the same. I have so much love for my talent that it shows and everyone can see it. The main things I want potential clients/followers to know about me is that my goal is to please them and bring their nail ideas to life. I love what I do and it truly shows in my work.

How did you build your audience on social media?

I built my audience on social media by posting in local hair and nail groups. I also knew quite a few people before starting my business and they already knew what I was trying to accomplish. I’ve also posted lots of content to show my work and to show who I am as well. Someone gave me advice one day on making sure to show who I am too and not just my work. Followers and potential clients want to see the artist face too. I have always posted my work on my social media and now everyone knows me for nails. Advice I’d give to someone starting to build their social media presence is to show yourself just as much as your work. Do photoshoot inspired by nail ideas you have and interact with as many people as you can.

What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?

The best source of new clients has been word of mouth as well as social media presence. Word of mouth has gotten me so far in my business career and it just shows me how my clients speak highly of me. I’ve also gotten new clients from their partners, which is so funny to me. Men know good nails too! I’ve had potential clients tell me they follow me for a while to see what type of person I am then they finally come and see that I am a good person and nail tech.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://dessdiosa2.glossgenius.com/about
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/done_bydess?igsh=N2xvMHN4cDZ6Nmps&utm_source=qr
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/destiny.tatum.16?mibextid=LQQJ4d

Image Credits

Dess’Diosa