We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Gabby Shusterman a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Gabby, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Risk taking is something we’re really interested in and we’d love to hear the story of a risk you’ve taken.
It all started during quarantine. Just like everybody else, I was taking time to reflect on myself- present, past & future. At the time I was enrolled in college and for a while didn’t really know if that was the right path for me. I had a few friends who were Estheticians & Cosmetologists and always thought it was such an empowering job to have. However, having this thought was extremely intimidating. I grew up in a family with very traditional values and the thought of telling my parents that I was dropping out of college to pursue something more creative was terrifying. I knew that if I was going to present this idea to my parents I had to have a plan. So, I started doing more research about what becoming an Esthetician really involved and soon after scheduled a tour at Summit Salon Academy. Everything began to fall into place and I felt like I had enough research and confidence to present this idea to my parents. Once I did, I was met with mixed emotions. I knew that my parents respected the fact I had put in the time and research to set myself up for success, but seeing the bigger picture of a successful career as an Esthetician was hard for them to believe. Instead of feeling discouraged, this lit a fire under me that I now had something to prove, failure was not an option. So, I took the risk and soon after applied for the Full Specialist Esthetician program. Not only did I begin to learn about makeup, skincare, waxing, lashes, and nails- but I also became Vice President of our Student Council. Having this position opened doors to not only relationships with fellow students in programs outside of my own, but also with the administration and connections they had with industry professionals as well. Having this opportunity helped me to very quickly build a reputation around myself and my work. I took every day at school incredibly seriously and with a passion I didn’t even realize I had inside of me. However, when I started the nail part of the program something felt so incredibly natural, it just felt like I had finally found my calling. From there, I refused to stop. Once we moved on from nails at school, I invested in nail products off Amazon and continued to practice on just about every person I’ve ever met in the kitchen of my house. Around this time is also when I started to build my Instagram and focus on having a presence online. As the months went on and I became closer to graduating, I started to get offers from salons all over Tampa- It was an incredible feeling. After talking to different salon owners and figuring out what was best for me, I landed at Nail Art Lounge and can confidently say is the best decision I could have made for myself and my future in the industry. Only six months later, I not only have a full book of clients, but also have been featured in publications for both brands and magazines, been invited as a guest speaker for different cooperations, and as of this month am a top 10 finalist for “Best Nail Artist” for Tampa’s “Best of the Bay”. I absolutely love what I do and feel so incredibly grateful and humbled that not only did the risk I took paid off, but that I can achieve a level of success that I continuously work so incredibly hard for.
Gabby, 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?
Well, hi. Nice to meet you. My name is Gabby Shusterman and I’m the owner of Shustercare! Shustercare is more than just nails. “Shuster” is the first part of my last name (Shoo-stir) and “care” is what I specialize in. Whether that’s the services I provide or just being a genuine face behind the name. I’m a licensed Full Specialist Esthetician which means I’m knowledgeable in more than just nails. Although I chose to specialize in nails as of right now, who knows where the road may lead?
The reason why I chose to specialize in nails starting out is because of the art behind it. Also, my love for natural nails. I have been a nail-biter all my life, and I know how it feels to be insecure about it. There is nothing I love more than helping someone fall in love with their natural nails, no matter the condition they’re in. I’d say that’s what led to me being known for my gel manicures and natural nail services.
What sets me apart from others is my style, which I would describe as playfully minimal. I love bright colors and abstract art, but I also love negative space and “less is more” kind of designs. I’d also say what sets me apart from others is my personality, I’m still trying to find the balance between professional and playful :~)
What I’m most proud of is my growth over the past few months. Since obtaining my license in January, I’ve seen myself flourish into a whole businesswoman, artist, Esthetician, and friend to so many new & old faces. I can’t even imagine what the future holds for Shustercare, we’re just getting started.
Some shameless self-promotion, you can find me on Instagram over at @shustercare! I’m always accepting new clients and you can find any and all information on my services & pricing over on my Instagram or by clicking “Gabby” when you visit nailartlounge.com. I have /BIG/ things planned for the years to come and would love to have you join me on this journey!
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
Hilariously enough, a lot of the lessons I learned in school. I’m notorious for being a “by the book” kind of person when it comes to learning a new skill. Once I started working in the field I very quickly realized that nothing is ever one size fits all. What works for one client, may not work for the other and lots of times there’s trial and error to be had. When it comes to working in customer service, communication is so important. Asking your clients about themselves is so much more than just small talk. For example, if a new client books for a gel manicure but then tells me they work as a bartender, I would offer we switch the service to something with more structure and strength to provide more longevity for their nails. Showing your clients that you not only have the knowledge but most importantly, genuinely care about the service you’re providing them with will always guarantee that a new client becomes a regular client.
How did you build your audience on social media?
Although my audience is still fairly small, my engagement percentages are always above 70%. This is HUGE when it comes to marketing yourself online. High engagement not only means whatever content you’re putting out is being received, but that your followers feel there’s a certain type of relationship in which they feel comfortable enough to comment, like, share your content and want to stay updated with what you have going on. When I was first starting out, I noticed that a lot of successful accounts always stayed true to their personality and this is what set them apart from others. So whenever I post anything, I’m always sure to sprinkle in some tongue in cheek that my clients who come and see me are used to, and that clients who are interested in booking with me could be persuaded by. Directly alongside this, building your brand by using certain color palettes or with a distinct style to how you post that’s true to your own personal style is huge in creating consistency. Being that my services are appointment only, I’m fully aware that what clients see online is what they’re expecting to get once sitting in my chair, and staying true to myself and my style will always guarantee that.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://squareup.com/appointments/book/i4u7u4x1zxndts/L6G9PYGV7M8T9/services?buttonTextColor=ffffff&color=000000
- Instagram: Instagram.com/shustercare
- Other: tiktok.com/@shustercare
Image Credits
Gabby Shusterman