We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Heather Buzzell. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Heather below.

Heather, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

I was at the end of my rope with the job I was at. The environment was toxic at times. It seemed like if you were a hard worker, dedicated, motivated, passionate you were granted the opportunity for advancement but they wouldn’t let you go too far (in my case maybe I was too powerful and they were scared of me) and they didn’t pay well. People were known to be sh*tty employees and if they threatened to leave they were asked to stay with better compensation. I just simply wanted to earn what I deserved. While on a break with a coworker at the time and venting he said “your hair is always done, make up, and nails. Have you ever thought of beauty school?” I knew immediately I’d like it, I experimented plenty just like any other girl who grew up in the 90s. I called and they first set up a tour of the school, I felt so weird and was unsure it was my path, it’s not like I took a tour and was like “OMG YES THIS IS AWESOME THIS IS WHAT I NEED” but I signed up anyways. I needed a change and this was available. As it got closer and closer to actually starting beauty school I started to realize how much I actually loved nails. I didn’t grow up with money, and with nails being the cheapest service in the industry that’s what I’d splurge on when I could. I couldn’t afford fills so I’d file them down flush and repaint from cuticle down haha omg that’s so embarrassing. Then I’d try to fill them on my own with acrylic kits from cvs (never worked out). The older I got as I had jobs and was able to afford more things, nails were still the treat I’d give to myself. I became a ritual client. Every two weeks a fill and a pedicure. I always loved nail art and i wanted more and more each time I went. Handpainted art and I loved the gems even though they fell off immediately. Unfortunately my love for nail art outgrew what the salon at the mall could offer me. And this was happening at the same time I was preparing myself for school. I knew I loved to doodle as I grew up and I just started thinking “maybe it’s nails maybe that’s what I’ll focus on, I mean I feel like I could do the art and they won’t even try they just tell me no”. The curriculum at school had like 6 classes I think, hair, skincare, nails, make up etc. These courses are only a month long so everyone’s first class is different. School was about to start and we got our curriculum. Nails were the first course for my class. That’s when I really knew.

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

My name is Heather and I live in a small town in Pennsylvania. I am a nail tech and own a small studio. I offer acrylic and gel extensions, structured gel, manicures, gel manicures, and if you ask me the best nail art around. A lot of people know me because of my TikTok, where I shamelessly tell stories about my clients. I think what sets me apart from others is that I actually care, I’m honestly excellent with people, and I believe I can handle most of them, I believe the way I share my stories helps other people relate to me, possibly inspire people, I and I love to make the crowd laugh. I’m just a girls girl. I want to drink my coffee, at the nail salon, and talk celebrity gossip while we listen to music and let it all out. The nail salon is a place of a connection. It’s a place for venting and advice. It’s a safe place for your secrets. It’s a place built off of glitter, laughter and love. It was always my “space” so my proudest accomplishment is providing that to others.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding part of my job as a creative is making people happy. When I do their nails they’re so happy and feel so much better and are ready to take on the world. “My hair can be messed up, I’m wearing pajamas with no make up but if my nails are done I’m like put together ya know?” -every client I ever met. When I create videos it makes so many people happy. The way so many people can relate is so rewarding. I’m attracted to the comedic portion of it I don’t know why but I love to make people laugh. I really just enjoy making people happy.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

I have two kids and one on the way. I just want to be able to provide for them better than I had it as a kid. I don’t want them to worry. I want them to have someone to look at and see that you can follow your dreams and they do come true. I want them to know that they can explore their creative side and be successful, you don’t have to work a desk job if you don’t want to. That’s always my first reason that comes to mind.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: handittoheather
• Facebook: Hand It To Heather
• Youtube: Hand it to Heather
• Other: TikTok: Handittoheather

Image Credits
Keith Perks @ 1120creative